Degree in Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Bologna; phD in
Agricultural Engineering, University of Bologna; visiting
researcher at the Silsoe Research Institute of Silsoe (UK), in the
Chemical Application Group, coordinated by the Professor Paul H.
Miller; Postdoc at the Department of Agricultural Economics
and Engineering; Chartered agronomist.
Since 1999 Researcher at the University of
Bologna, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences
(DISTAL). Since December 2008 head of the Laboratorio di Meccanica
Agraria of the DISTAL, official OECD Testing Station
for tractor performance and ROPS strength.
Since 2014 Associate Professor at the University of
Bologna, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences
(DISTAL)
The main activity as researcher has been directed to
different fields of the agricultural mechanisation. Specifically
research has been carried out on: sprayers for arable crops,
orchards and vineyards; spreaders for the distribution of organic
fertilizers; sugarbeet harvesters evaluated in field and
laboratory; mechanical distribution of beneficial organisms in the
biological control of the crops, this activity has been based on
the design of a prototype equipment, patented by the University of
Bologna and then tested on greenhouse crops; techniques of soil
tillage to evaluate the quality and the quantity of work in respect
to the energy consumption; safety characteristics of agricultural
and forestry tractors and agricultural machinery, with specific
attention to narrow track tractors and seat belt anchorage.
The research activity has been supplemented with an intensive
testing activity carried out at the Laboratory of Agricultural
Mechanisation. The Laboratory is an official OECD Testing Station
for all OECD Codes. The activity of the Laboratory is focused not
only on the tests of tractors and agricultural machinery for
performance and safety aspects, strength of the protective
structures, noise level, road circulation homologation, but also
research carried out with the aim to increase the safety
level for the agricultural operator.
The testing and research activity in the field of tractor
safety has been integrated with the attendance to the official OECD
activity related to the updating of the OECD tractor codes.
Specifically this has involved being the chairperson for the OECD
Official Working Group and support the OECD Secretariat for the Tractor Codes
and Schemes as expert consultant.
