Personale docente

Mario TRIBAUDINO was born in Torino on 13.11.1960; he got his Ms.Sc. degree in Geological Sciences in 1985, at the University of Torino, and the Ph.D. in Mineralogy and Crystallography in 1989. From 1990 to 2005 he served at the University of Torino, as a Researcher (till 2001), and subsequently as Associate Professor, in the research field of Mineralogy. By 19.1.2005 he is Full Professor in Mineralogy in the University of Parma (Geo/06, Mineralogia), now (since 1.1.2017) at the Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental sciences (Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità ambientale). Teaching assignments are Mineralogy (Scienze della Natura e dell’Ambiente, 6 CFU), Environmental Mineralogy (Scienze della Natura e dell’Ambiente, 6 CFU), and Mineralogy and Optics (12 CFU, Scienze Geologiche).

Mario TRIBAUDINO research involves rock forming minerals and their synthetic counterparts; his studies have an outcome both in the geology and material sciences. They are mainly devoted to the experimental modelling of the crystal chemistry and spectroscopy of minerals, their phase transitions and order disorder processes, as well as TEM microstrustures. Most recently, in agreement with the new Department mission (since 2017), the research focus moved to an application of the above research to an environmental focus.
The research was mostly done on:
1) the synthesis of ino- and tectosilicates and the analysis of their structural and microtextural features; in situ HT and HP properties were especially sought. Single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction were used, at room and high temperature and pressure, exploiting conventional and synchrotron X-ray sources. Spectroscopic analysis was done on the same samples, both as a by-product or as main topic of investigation. Microstructures were studies using scanning and transmission electron microscopy; among others the results involve thermal expansion in plagioclase and pyroxenes, and spectroscopic characterization of synthetic pyroxenes. Analysis and modelling was done on the same phases in natural (meteorites and volcanic rocks) and synthetic (pigments, ceramics, fly and bottom ashes from incenerators) environments;
2) phase transition and order-disorder processes (convergent and non-convergent) in ino- and tectosilicates. Major studies were done on the P21/c - C2/c transition in clinoyroxenes, on the Fe-Mg ordering in orthopyroxene and pigeonite and on the framework-Al/Si order interaction in feldspars with Al/Si 1/1; these studies took advantage of X-ray and neutron diffraction and IR-Raman spectroscopy.
3) synthesis and design of ceramic materials based on the mineral structure. Spinel and pyroxenes were investigated, with the aim of obtaining new pigments and magnetic materials.
The above studies were applied on: 1) modelling the cooling history in meteoritics and volcanics; 2) the definition of bulk modulus and thermal expansion models in pyroxene and feldspars, in the framework of the thermodynamic modelling of the host rocks; 3) constraining the synthesis conditions of ceramic materials; 4) setting a database of spectroscopic data for the purpose of planetary exploration. To these consolidated research fields, most recently studies on the non-equilibrium features in anthropic environment was added, with the expectation to become the major field of investigation. This investigation involves the mineralogical and magnetic characterization of residuals from anthropic activity in the environment (biomagnetic and biomineralogical signature) and in waste disposal, with an outcome foreseen in analytical and recycling.
The research involved extensive international cooperation (among others with the Universities of Cambridge, Bayreuth, Edinburg, Virginia Tech, and with DLR and ESRF research facilities); as much as 105 international ISI papers were published by Mario TRIBAUDINO (H index = 22, Scopus), mostly as first author; he was invited to lecture in several schools and workshops, both national and international, and to review a number of papers in the most important mineralogical journals (Nature Geoscience, American Mineralogist, Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, European Journal of Mineralogy, Mineralogical Magazine, Journal of Material Design, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials).

Appointments (University of Parma):
2007-2008: Responsabile dottorato in Scienze della Terra
2008-2011: Head of “Corso di Laurea in Scienze della Natura e dell’Ambiente”,
2009-2011: Deputy of the “Facoltà di Scienze Matematiche Fisiche e Naturali”.
2011-2012: Faculty Head “Facoltà di Scienze Matematiche Fisiche e Naturali”
2012-2016: Deputy Head of the Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra
2013-ongoing Head of the mineralogical branch of the University of Parma museums
2019-ongoing: Responsabile dottorato in Scienze della Terra

Appointments (Scientific societies):
1993-1994: deputy secretary of the “Società Italiana di Mineralogia e Petrologia”
2006-2008: member of the council of the “Gruppo Nazionale di Mineralogia”
2019-ongoing: Presidente del Gruppo Nazionale di Mineralogia