Notizie
Le lezioni del corso di ZOOLOGIA AMBIENTALE (9 CFU) A.A. 2025/2026 (III anno Laurea triennale in Biologia Ambientale) avranno inizio il 3 Marzo 2026 in AULA C (Ed. Botanica e Genetica, CU022).
Il corso prevede lezioni teoriche ed esercitazioni, che seguiranno i seguenti orari:
- LEZIONI: AULA C (Ed. Botanica e Genetica CU022, Piano Terra), martedì ore 16.00; mercoledì ore 11.00; giovedì ore 9.00
- ESERCITAZIONI (a partire dal 24 Marzo): AULA A (Ed. Zoologia CU008, Piano Terra), martedì e mercoledì ore 14.00
Per ulteriori info e per il materiale didattico è necessario iscriversi alla pagina e-learning ZOOLOGIA AMBIENTALE (2026)
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Le lezioni del corso di BIOLOGIA EVOLUZIONISTICA (6 CFU, opzionale) nell'A.A. 2025/2026 (III anno Laurea triennale in Scienze Biologiche) avranno inizio il 3 Marzo 2026 in Aula PASQUINI (Ed. Zoologia, CU008).
Il corso prevede attività teoriche e pratiche, e verrà svolto il martedì alle ore 9.00 e il venerdì alle ore 11.00 in Aula PASQUINI (Ed. Zoologia, Piano Terra)
Per ulteriori info e per il materiale didattico è necessario iscriversi alla pagina e-learning BIOLOGIA EVOLUZIONISTICA.
Orari di ricevimento
Lunedì 12.00-13.00
Curriculum
CURRENT ACADEMIC POSITION: Associate Professor in Zoology (Sapienza)
EDUCATION
- 2002: Degree (Summa cum laude) in Biological Sciences at ‘Sapienza’, University of Rome.
– 2007: PhD in Animal Biology at ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome.
ACADEMIC CAREER
– RESEARCHER POSITIONS
– 2021-2024: RTD-B (Temporary Researcher) POSITION at Dep. Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza, Rome, Italy
– 2018-2021: RTD-A (Temporary Researcher) POSITION at Dep. Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza, Rome, Italy
– 2014-2017: RTD-A (Temporary Researcher) POSITION at Dep. Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.
– POST-DOCTORAL POSITIONS at Dep. Public Health and Infectious Diseases (P.H.I.D.), Institute of Parasitology, University of Rome ‘Sapienza
– 2007-2008: Project ‘ITALIAN MALARIA NETWORK’: Plasmodium falciparum malaria: interactions among parasites, vectors and humans.
– 2009-2012: Project FP7-EU MALVECBLOK: Population biology and molecular genetics of vectorial capacity in Anopheles gambiae: targeting reproductive behaviour and immunity for transmission-refractory interventions.
– 2012-2014: Project ‘YOUNG RESEARCHER F.I.R.B. 2010’: Role of reproductive barriers in an emblematic case of incipient speciation.
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
– 2004-2005: Student Lab Assistant for practical activities on zoological material for the course in ‘Zoology‘, Biological Sciences Master degree, ‘Sapienza
– 2005-2006: Contract Professor in ‘Principles of Biology‘ held for the Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Master Degree, ‘Sapienza’.
– 2007-2008: Contract Professor in ‘Zoology of Anthropized Environments‘ held for the I Faculty of Architecture, Landscape Architecture Master Degree, ‘Sapienza’.
– 2015-2016: Conservation Genetics section within the ‘Conservation Biology‘ course held for the Faculty of Biological Sciences, ROMA TRE University.
– 2015: ‘Practical Course on Molecular Phylogeny and Population Genetic’ held for the Doctoral School in “Molecular, Cell and Environmental Biology”, ROMA TRE University.
- 2016: ‘Evolutionary Parasitology’ held for the Faculty of Biological Sciences, ROMA TRE University.
– 2017-2018 Contract Professor in ‘Animal Biology‘ held for the Biotechnology Bachelor Degree, Tuscia University.
– 2018-2024: ‘Zoogeography’ held for the Faculty of Natural Sciences, ‘Sapienza’.
– 2022-ongoing: ‘Evolutionary Biology‘ held for the Faculty of Biological Sciences, ‘Sapienza’.
- 2026-ongoing: 'Environmental Zoology‘ held for the Faculty of Environmental Biology, ‘Sapienza’.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
EM is mainly interested in phylogenetics and population genetics of living organisms. He is particularly experienced in: i) developing and validating novel molecular markers to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and speciation patterns of recently originated species, ii) analysing population genetics and phylogenetic data from different animal species, iii) investigating the function and molecular evolution of proteins having crucial roles in animal physiology; iv) applying the genetic tools to monitor and control natural populations. His activities are carried out through field collections and fauna surveys, morphological investigations through optical/ scan-stereomicroscopy, analysis of samples and animal tissues through molecular biology (genetics and genomics) methods.
Since 2002, EM collaborates with the Dep. of Biology and Biotechnology ‘C. Darwin’ (‘Sapienza’) (http://w3.uniroma1.it/bbcd/) on ecology, taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution of insects. Research activities are mainly focused on: i) systematics of Coleoptera (Nitidulidae, Hydraenidae, Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae and Cetoniidae), ii) conservation genetics of endangered beetles, iii) biological control of insect pests and iv) taxonomy and biology of caddisflies (Trichoptera) to be used for monitoring water quality.
In 2007, EM started to contribute to the research activities of Medical and Molecular Entomology (MME) group at the Institute of Parasitology (Sapienza University of Rome) with a Post-Doc position in the context of the Italian Malaria Network (http://www.italianmalarianetwork.it/), with the specific task to develop novel markers based on transposable elements for population genetics and phylogenetic studies of Anopheles gambiae, the most important mosquito species transmitting malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2009, he has been studying the evolution and expression of genes involved in post-mating responses and immunity in the species of the A. gambiae complex within the context of the European MALVECBLOK FP7 project. In 2012 his work has been focused on the genetic consequences of the hybridization process occurring in West Africa between the two taxonomic entities (i.e. M and S molecular forms) within A. gambiae.
From June 2014 to May 2017, EM has been working as Researcher (RTD-A) at the Department of Sciences of ‘ROMA TRE’ University in the frame of the EU-Project MIPP (Monitoring Insects with Public Partecipation) about insect conservation.
From August 2018, EM works as a researcher at the Department of Biology & Bioechnology “C. Darwin” and then, from 2024, as Associate Professor in Zoology in the same Department. He is involved in various projects concerning insect conservation and evolution (e.g., saproxylic and phytophagous beetles, stingless bees in Peruvian Amazon).
EM’s scientific production is documented by nearly 75 papers on International Scientific Journals, 50 Proceedings of International and National meetings and partecipation (oral or poster presentations) at more than 40 conferences and workshops.