Receiving hours
Il ricevimento si svolge previo appuntamento da concordare via e-mail: manuel.curzi@uniroma1.it.
Edificio CU005, ingresso Geologia, primo piano, ufficio 222.
Curriculum
CURRENT POSITION
Tenure-Track Researcher in Tectonics and Structural Geology
Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
Email: manuel.curzi@uniroma1.it
SHORT CV
Manuel Curzi is a structural geologist with a strong interest in tectonics, fault zones, and fluid-assisted deformation processes, which he investigates through a multiscale and multidisciplinary approach.
He obtained his Master’s degree in Geological Sciences from Sapienza University of Rome in 2017, graduating with full marks and honours. In 2021, he received his Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from Sapienza University of Rome, with a thesis in structural geology focused on the evolution of sectors of the Central Apennine belt, reconstructed through structural, geochemical, and geochronological constraints from fault zones. After his Ph.D., he held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Bologna, first within a project devoted to the multitechnique structural characterization of complex faults in the Eastern Southern Alps, and subsequently within the PRIN 2020 project “Fault Architecture in Space and Time – FAST”, focused on reconstructing the structural and temporal evolution of complex fault systems.
From 2023 to 2026, he worked as a fixed-term researcher at the Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome. Since 2026, he has been a Tenure-Track Researcher at Sapienza University of Rome. Since 2025, he has held the Italian National Scientific Qualification for Associate Professor in the disciplinary area 04/A2.
His scientific activity focuses on understanding the spatio-temporal evolution of faults and the physicochemical processes controlling rock deformation, fluid circulation, and fault mechanics during the seismic cycle. He has participated in national and international research projects and carries out teaching activities in structural geology, tectonics, and fluid–rock interaction in the Earth’s crust.
EDUCATION
2021: Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
2017: Master’s degree in Geological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2026–present: Tenure-Track Researcher, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
2023–2026: Fixed-Term Researcher, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
2021–2023: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bologna, Italy.
2019: Visiting Ph.D. Student, Geological Survey of Norway, NGU, Trondheim, Norway.
2019: Visiting Ph.D. Student, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.
RESEARCH TOPICS
His main research interests concern the spatio-temporal evolution of fault zones, the role of fluids in deformation and mineralization processes, and the physicochemical mechanisms of dynamic weakening associated with seismic deformation. Particular attention is devoted to tectonic mineralizations and deformation products preserved along fault surfaces, which may record transient processes occurring during fault activity and throughout the seismic cycle.
His methodological approach integrates field and laboratory analyses, combining geological and structural mapping, microstructural analysis, optical and electron microscopy, chemical microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, isotopic analyses, and advanced micro- to nanoscale characterization techniques.
STUDY AREAS
Italy, including the Apennines and the Alps; Spain; Greece; Turkey.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
2021: Best Student Paper Award — first author, Journal of Structural Geology.
2022: Best Student Paper Award — co-author, Journal of Structural Geology.
2024: Premio Secondo Franchi — first author, Italian Journal of Geosciences.
EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
2025–present: Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Structural Geology.
2021–present: Reviewer for several international journals, including Geology, Tectonophysics, Scientific Reports, Geofluids, Geological Magazine, Geomorphology, Terra Nova, Journal of Structural Geology, Frontiers in Earth Science, Tectonics, Journal of the Geological Society, Italian Journal of Geosciences, and Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems.
PUBLICATIONS
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9dg4Z54AAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao
Scopus: hhttps://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57216647636