My journey as a molecular biologist and bioinformatician has led me into the fascinating underwater world of seagrasses—foundational ecosystems in the Mediterranean coastal environments. I first encountered these marine plants during my Master’s studies, where I investigated how Cymodocea nodosa and Posidonia oceanica adapt to diverse thermal environments using a bioinformatic approach.

Now, as a PhD student at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, within the CODING project (Circadian Clock and Photoperiodism in Marine Angiosperms: Evolution and Ecological Significance), I am exploring the molecular mechanisms that allow seagrasses to perceive and respond to light signals, with particular focus on their photoperiodic responses and circadian clock machinery.

My research combines molecular biology and bioinformatics to study circadian regulation in Zostera marina and Posidonia oceanica through fieldwork and controlled mesocosm time-series experiments. Specifically, I investigate how clock genes regulate essential metabolic pathways and how latitude-dependent photoperiodic responses drive population-specific genetic adaptations.

Beyond fundamental science, my PhD project also addresses two key ecological questions:

· How do endogenous timing systems contribute to seagrass resilience under anthropogenic stressors, such as the threat of artificial light at night (ALAN)?

· How will mismatches between photoperiodic and temperature cues, driven by global warming, affect the future distribution and survival of seagrass populations and species?

If you are curious about my research, you can take a look here:

@gprogroup.bsky.social

SZN profile

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