Technician
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Calabria Marine Centre – CRIMAC
C.da Torre Spaccata, Località Torre Spaccata, 87071 Amendolara – Italia
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Short CV
I graduated in Marine Biology and Ecology in 2020 at the University of Tuscia (VT) with a thesis on the behavioral profiles of the nudibranch Godiva quadricolor.
After a short period as a scholarship at the CRIMAC Center of the SZN in Amendolara, I began my PhD at the University of Messina, which ended in 2025 with a thesis entitled "Study of the degradation of the biopolymer Mater-Bi® and evaluation of the effect on marine organisms under a climate change scenario". My research focused on understanding the behavior of plastic and bioplastic waste in the marine environment, evaluating the degradation and associated biodiversity. Furthermore, I conducted experiments in mesocosm to investigate the single and combined effects of microplastics, microbioplastics and high temperature on the behavioral and physiological responses of Mytilus galloprovincialis. In these years, I have developed technical skills related to the extraction of microplastics from different environmental matrices and the characterization of polymers by FT-IR spectroscopy. Participation in marine research campaigns has also allowed me to become familiar with the main sampling tools and techniques in coastal and pelagic environments. I have carried out dissemination activities by participating in national and international scientific conferences, and scientific dissemination by organizing workshops and presentations for primary and secondary school students, as well as part of the staff of a Summer School on plastic pollution in September 2024 at the CRIMAC of the SZN.
I currently hold the position of research technician at the CRIMAC Center of Amendolara, where I deal with sampling activities in marine environments.
Tasks
• Support for logistical activities necessary for conduct of field activities;
• Support in the calibration, use and maintenance of scientific instrumentation for use on research vessels or in shore-based campaigns;
• Activities of sampling, extraction and analysis of micro- and macroplastics in different environmental matrices (water, sediment, biota) using techniques such as sieving, densimetric separation and polymeric identification (FTIR, µFTIR) according to standardised protocols;
• Supporting the application of the main sampling methodologies used in marine biology and ecology, concerning protocols for sampling water, sediment and biota.
Main publications
• Macali, A., Ferretti, S., Scozzafava, S., Gatto, E., & Carere, C. (2024). Different behavioural profiles between invasive and native nudibranchs: means for invasion success?. Current Zoology, zoae028. DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoae028
• Laface, F., Pedà, C., Giommi, C., Scozzafava, S., Rizzo, C., Malara, D., Greco, S., & Romeo, T. (2023). A glimpse into the future: A suitable methodological approach for the detection and identification of micro-bioplastics in biota. Science of the Total Environment, 165613. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165613
• Macali, A., Ferretti, S., Scozzafava, S., & Carere, C. (2023). Cannibalism, self-cannibalism and autotomy in the non-indigenous nudibranch Godiva quadricolor. Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali, 1-5. DOI: 10.1007/s12210-023-01162-4
