Instruction: Graduated in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Catania (2004) PhD in "Productivity of cultivated plants" at the University of Catania (2009) Main research interests: Safeguarding of biodiversity; Morphological and chemical characterization of plants typical of the Mediterranean environment for the purpose of creating clones with a high health value; Development of shelf-life improvement techniques for the production of ready to eat agri-food products; Characterization of residual field biomass and of the extraction flours of oil species of the biodiesel agro-energy chain; Identification and enhancement of molecules of nutraceutical interest; Study of abiotic stresses for the production of substances with high antioxidant activity; In vitro propagation of annual and multi-annual species; 'Phytoremediation' of soils contaminated by heavy metals. Laboratory / field activities: Collection, characterization and conservation of Sicilian indigenous germplasm; Quantitative and qualitative analysis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of species typical of the Mediterranean environment; In vitro propagation of arboreal and herbaceous plant species; Extraction with ultrasound and Randall; Quantitative and qualitative analysis of bioaccumulation in heavy metal plants; Preparation and management of collection fields;