​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My academic interests are focused on Astrobiology and Ecology. My background studies are oriented to Environmental Biology and Evolutionary Biology. During my bachelor curricular traineeship and my bachelor thesis research I concentrated on lichenology and in particular lichens' eco-physiological parameters to assess photo-efficiency. In this way, the link with Astrobiology was born. At INAF - Arcetri Astrobiology Lab, I applied simulated UV space radiation and extreme dehydrated conditions on lichen samples, evaluating in situ the IR spectrum of the specimens and eventual spectral band changes.

​

Bachelor Thesis

 June 2020 - October 2020

Study of the UV irradiation effects in space conditions on the lichen species Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr.: spectroscopic analysis and recovery evaluation.

​

Supervisors: Prof. A. Papini (UniFi), Prof. R. Benesperi (UniFi) and Prof. J.R. Brucato (UniFi & INAF - Arcetri).

Lab Collaborators: PostDoc E. Bianchi (UniSi) and PostDoc G. Poggiali (UniFi & INAF - Arcetri).

​

The thesis study was published on the International Journal of Astrobiology (Cambridge University Press). doi:10.1017/S1473550422000076 

​

UV-MARS Project (collab. with University of Pisa)

 May 2021 - present

Collaboration with University of Pisa for the Probe Balloon contest promoted by the UniPi Space Systems Laboratory. The project consisted in taking several biological samples at stratospheric altitude, exposing them to UV rays (T-P kept standard inside the capsule). The proposed and studied samples from UniFi side were Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L., Seirophora villosa (Ach.) Frödén and Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr.. The launch has been performed on 28th July 2022 from Cecina (Livorno).

​

Master Thesis and Traineeship at DLR, Berlin

 September 2021 - December 2021 (Traineeship at DLR, Berlin)

 September 2021 - October 2022 (Master Thesis related activities)

Study of the survivability, adaptability and characterization of the lichen species X. parietina under Mars simulated conditions. Use of the Mars simulation facility at the DLR, Berlin (Institute für Planetenforschung). Evaluation of vital parameters before, during and after treatments (Mini-PAM & Imaging-PAM). RAMAN and MIR spectroscopy. Epifluorescence Microscopy. The experimental activity at DLR, Berlin was supervised by Dr. Mickaël Baqué.

​

At the University of Florence (Biomorphology Lab - Department of Biology), the Mars-exposed samples were analyzed through Transmission-Electron Microscopy.

​

Further analyses will be carried out at INAF - Arcetri Astrobiology Lab in order to investigate parietin photo degradation under space and Mars simulated conditions.

​

Thesis:

Survivability of Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. in Mars simulated conditions for 30 days.

​

Supervisor: Prof. J.R. Brucato (UniFi & INAF - Arcetri).

Co-supervisors: Prof. R. Benesperi (UniFi) and Prof. A. Papini (UniFi).

Lab Supervisor: Dr. Mickaël Baqué (DLR - Berlin).

Data Analysis Collaborators: PostDoc E. Bianchi (UniFi) and PostDoc G. Poggiali (LESIA - Observatoire de Paris).

Collaborators, Coworkers and Technicians: Dr. G. Alemanno (DLR - Berlin), Dr. S. Garland (DLR - Berlin), Dr. J. Helbert (DLR - Berlin), Prof. S. Loppi (UniSi), Dr. A. Lorek (DLR - Berlin), Dr. A. Maturilli (DLR - Berlin) and Dr. J.P. de Vera (MUSC, DLR - Köln).

​

PhD at University of Naples Federico II

 November 2022 - November 2025 

Study of the implementation of primary production in crop species under saline and drought conditions through the application of PGPB.

 

Supervisor: Prof. Carmen Arena.

​

PhD traineeship at CNR IPSP

 November 2022 - November 2025 

Study of the implementation of primary production in energy crop species Canapa sativa L. Earlina8FC under saline and drought conditions through the application of PGPB.

​

Department Supervisor: Dr. Mauro Centritto

Lab Supervisor: Dr. Giulia Atzori