Mediterranean Field Research Platform for Biodiversity, Soil Health and Climate Resilience

Overview

I am offering access to selected areas of approximately 21 hectares of privately owned agricultural and semi-natural land in the Marche region of central Italy, near the Metauro River and the Adriatic coast.

The aim is to establish a collaborative experimental field platform supporting Horizon Europe projects focused on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

Environmental Diversity

The property offers a variety of environments suitable for interdisciplinary research:

• Cultivable agricultural fields suitable for experimental crops, sustainable farming practices and long-term trials.

• Uncultivated and semi-natural habitats, including areas used as grazing land.

• Flat and hilly terrain with varying soil characteristics, including clay-rich and tuffaceous soils.

• River-adjacent environments featuring gravelly and pebbly terrain.

These characteristics provide opportunities for comparative studies across different habitats, soil conditions and agricultural management practices.

Experimental Activities and Infrastructure

I can contribute directly to the cultivation, maintenance and management of experimental fields according to agreed research protocols.

Potential activities include:

• Establishment of replicated experimental plots and control areas.

• Multi-year agricultural and ecological experiments.

• Soil, vegetation and biodiversity sampling.

• Installation and maintenance of soil sensors, weather stations and environmental monitoring equipment.

• Hosting temporary modular laboratories or research containers for sample preparation and field analyses, subject to funding and necessary permissions.

The site could support continuous environmental monitoring and repeated sampling across seasons.

Research Opportunities

I am particularly interested in projects addressing:

• Soil microbiomes, beneficial microorganisms and reduced synthetic fertiliser use.

• Sustainable crop rotations and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

• Wild bees, pollinator diversity and agricultural biodiversity.

• Ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions.

• Soil health, carbon dynamics and drought resilience.

• Effects of grazing and land management on biodiversity.

• Long-term ecological monitoring across different habitats.

Scientific Contribution

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in molecular biology at the Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGM-CNR) in Pavia, Italy, primarily investigating DNA repair mechanisms and enzyme kinetics. In 2018, I obtained my PhD in Materials Science and Bioengineering through a Marie Skłodowska-Curie research programme. Throughout my international research career, I have contributed to interdisciplinary projects spanning molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, materials science and chemistry, developing broad scientific expertise and a multidisciplinary approach to research.

Alongside my scientific expertise, I have practical farming experience and can contribute to the organisation and management of field experiments.

Depending on consortium funding and structure, the platform could also accommodate PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, research technicians and Master's students, creating opportunities for scientific training and long-term field research.

Partnership Sought

I am seeking universities, research institutions, environmental organisations and Horizon Europe consortium coordinators interested in incorporating a Mediterranean experimental site into collaborative European projects.

My objective is to combine molecular biology expertise, agricultural field management and access to diverse habitats to support interdisciplinary research under real environmental conditions.

I welcome enquiries from potential partners interested in developing joint research activities, demonstration projects or a future Mediterranean Living Lab.

The experimental activities and infrastructure would be developed collaboratively according to the scientific objectives, available funding and requirements of the consortium.