Keynote Speaker

I am Professor Chair in Ecology - shared position between the University of Padova (70% time) and the University of Bologna (30% time) – and Deputy Director of the Chioggia Marine Outstation of the University of Padova. I received a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of Genova, and carried out research at several institutions in Italy, Australia, USA and UK. I am listed among the Top Italian Scientists, and in 2019 and 2021 I was recognized as a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher (category cross-field). I am a Member of the Academy of Sciences of Bologna Institute, and in 2013 I was a Fulbright Research Fellow at Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station. I am national delegate for the HE partnerships “Biodiversa”, and in 2020-2021 I served as national delegate in the "shadow" Thematic Horizon Europe Programme Committee for Cluster 6 (Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment). I am Specialty Chief Editor in Marine Conservation and Sustainability for Frontiers in Marine Science and serve the editorial Board of Marine Ecology Progress Series and Sustainability. I co-lead the eco-engineering workgroup within the World Harbour Project, and I am involved in European/global projects on biodiversity conservation and restoration in increasingly urbanized marine environments. I am recognized as one of the forerunners of the new field of marine urban ecology. My research focuses on designing conservation and restoration strategies in increasingly urbanized marine coastal systems, including consideration of sustainable shoreline protection strategies, coastal and offshore “green” infrastructures and nature-based solutions, aiming to maximize environmental, societal and economic benefits.

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