Prof. Patrizia Falabella

Patrizia Falabella is a full professor for the disciplinary scientific sector AGR/11 (General and Applied Entomology) at the Department of Sciences of the University of Basilicata since December 2021. She received her Ph.D. in Applied Biology from the University of Basilicata in 1999. She was a post-doc at the Department of Biology, University of Basilicata, from 1999 to 2002, and at the Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, CNR, Naples, in 2002. She was associate professor from December 2008 to December 2021. She has long-time experience in the coordination and management of projects, as well as the scientific coordination of academic activities. The main research branches of her research group are:1) The study of host–parasitoid interactions to identify and characterize factors of parasitic origin responsible for the induction of pathological syndromes affecting the host and with potential insecticidal action. 2) The study of insect physiology to evaluate the potential insecticidal effect of compounds of natural origin and to characterize, at a molecular level, the mechanisms of the immunity response and ecdysteroidogenesis. 3) The study of the molecular basis of olfactory perception in insects correlated to the investigation of the morphological ultrastructure of the sensilla, useful for understanding the physiological mechanisms of chemoreception. 4) The study of bioconverter insects as sources of molecules and innovative processes of high economic and biological value.