Education and qualifications
- 2012: Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, University of Parma (24/02/2012).
- 2013: Master’s degree in Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Parma (09/12/2013).
- 2014–2017: PhD in Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Parma; research focused on intestinal bacteria in human and animal health.
- 2023: Italian National Scientific Qualification (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale, ASN) for Associate Professor in SSD BIOS-15/A (former SSD BIO/19) – Microbiology.
Academic positions and affiliations
- 2019–2022: Research fellow, Probiogenomics laboratory, University of Parma.
- 2022–present: Assistant Professor (RTD-A; SSD BIOS-15/A, former SSD BIO/19), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma.
- 2022–present: Member, interdepartmental research centre “Microbiome Research Hub” (University of Parma).
Teaching activities are detailed in the "Teaching" section.
Affiliation to scientific societies
- Since 2023: Affiliate Member, Microbiology Society.
- Since 2015: Member, Società Italiana di Microbiologia Generale e Biotecnologie Microbiche (SIMGBM).
Research activity
Research activity (since 2014) focuses on the application of omics techniques (metagenomics, genomics and transcriptomics) to investigate correlations between the microbiota of different body sites and physiological/pathological conditions, in humans and in other hosts (including farm and companion animals) for their relevance to human health. Additional lines of research include genomics and functional genomics of intestinal bacteria and bacteria from other body sites (e.g., vaginal and lung microbiota), with a particular focus on bifidobacteria and Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB).
Main areas include:
- Human microbiota across different body sites
- Microbiota and interactions with the environment
- Genomics and functional genomics of probiotic bacteria and interactions with the human host
- Metagenomics and bioinformatics applied to microbial communities
Bibliometric indicators
Scopus (data extracted on 11 December 2025):
Publications: 152
Total citations: 9293
H-index: 46
Editorial activity
Editorial roles in international journals:
- BMC Microbiology (Associate Editor, 2019–present)
- Applied Microbiology (Associate Editor, 2021–present)
- Microbiome Research Reports (Senior Editor, 2021–present)
- Frontiers in Microbiology (Associate Editor, Microbial Symbioses section, 2022–present)
Special Issues (Guest Editorship)
- 2023: Co-Guest Editor, “Bioinformatics Applied to Microbiota-based Science”, Microbiome Research Reports.
- 2021: Co-Guest Editor, “Bifidobacteria: From Molecular Research to Host Interaction”, Microorganisms.
International project review
- 2025–present: Project Reviewer, Open Technology Programme (OTP 2025), Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Peer review (scientific journals)
Ad hoc reviewer for international journals, including: BMC Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Frontiers in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Microorganisms, Scientific Reports, Theranostics, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, FEMS Microbial Ecology, The Lancet Microbe, Oral Diseases, Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, BMC Geriatrics, etc.
