My research lies at the interface between microbial ecology and soil biogeochemistry, focusing broadly on the response of soil microbes to climate change. The main goal of my research is to understand the effect of changing environmental conditions on fundamental biogeochemical mechanisms that control the fate of important elements in terrestrial ecosystems in which microbes are involved, with an emphasis on the carbon cycling. Soil microbes are central as they control key processes regulating the cycling of elements. I use a blend of discipline, integrating chemistry, biology and ecology. My research is divided between method development, field studies as well as synthesis via large datasets or modelling approaches. Recent examples of methodological innovations include the development of a new method to trace microbial growth in soil or for studying microbial lipids via fatty acid analysis. Check out my Research or Publications pages for more info. Take a look at the yearly report I write, about my research and outreach activities in the Yearly report section.
I am currently a University Assistant at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science of the University of Vienna (Austria), working with Professor Andreas Richter. Previously, I was a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Ecological Research of Kyoto University (Japan). I have a Ph.D in Soil Biogeochemistry from the University of Sydney (Australia, 2017), where I worked with Professor Feike Dijkstra. I was recently granted an ERC Starting Grant from the European Union, and I will soon start my group at The Department of Biological Sciences, Geological and Environmental of the University of Bologna (Italy). I will soon announce position openings on this website.
Awarded the prestigious Rita Levi Montalcini for young researchers. This award is given to talented italian young researcher to re-enter the italian academic system based on a competitive evaluation of a project proposal. Unfortunately I have renounced as this award was given after I received an ERC Starting Grant from the European Union.
14 May, 2024New paper published in Global Change Biology
4 May, 2024Finished my job in Vienna and left for a sabatical period in Japan until October 2024