Michela Ablondi is a fixed-term researcher at the Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, within the field of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AGRI/09 A). She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in Parma, followed by a Master’s degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Wageningen University (The Netherlands). She obtained her PhD in Veterinary Science at the University of Parma with a dissertation focused on the use of pedigree and genomic data for horse breeding and biodiversity conservation. During her doctoral studies, she carried out research stays abroad at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU, Sweden) and at the Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG, Spain).
Her scientific activity focuses on the integration of phenotypic, pedigree, and genomic data for the sustainable management of animal genetic resources, with a special emphasis on Italian and local horse breeds. She has coordinated and participated in national and international projects on biodiversity, functional genomics, and genomic-assisted selection, contributing both to the valorization of local breeds and to the improvement of livestock production. She is Principal Investigator of competitive projects funded by the University of Parma and maintains long-term collaborations with national and international institutions, including the University of Turin and SLU in Sweden.
Alongside her research work, she is engaged in teaching, holding courses at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD level on animal genetics, sustainability, population management, and bioinformatics methods. She serves as Quality Assurance Officer for the professional Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Enterprise Technologies and Management and is a member of several departmental and university committees.
Author of more than 40 scientific papers in indexed international journals, several of which are among the most cited in the field, she has presented her research at numerous national and international conferences (EAAP, WCGALP, ISAG). She is also a reviewer for several international journals and serves as Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Animal Science. She was awarded the Italian National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor in Animal Breeding and Genetics (07/G1).
Her research combines quantitative genetics, genomics, and innovative phenotyping approaches (including sensor-based technologies and artificial intelligence), aiming to link biodiversity conservation with genetic improvement, and contributing to the sustainable development of livestock production and to the valorization of Italian animal genetic heritage.
