Dottorato in Biotechnology and smart practices for a sustainable management of natural resources, food and agriculture XXXIX ciclo

The aim of this PhD Program is to train highly qualified professionals capable of designing, conducting, and promoting research activities in the fields of biotechnology, intelligent and sustainable technologies for the management of natural resources, agri-food systems, and, more broadly, the environment. This goal will be achieved through training in both basic and applied research, providing interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and cross-sectoral scientific skills. These skills, integrating the principles of circular economy, digital transition, and green technologies, will foster vertical and horizontal integration processes across production chains.
Although not formally defined as an industrial PhD, the program actively involves production and processing companies at regional and national levels in specific research projects. This is made possible through direct co-funding of research activities by the companies themselves and participation in regional, national, and international research calls, as demonstrated by the program’s extensive research activity of the member of the Teaching Committee-The research objectives of this PhD Program are aligned with the priorities for sustainable development identified by the United Nations General Assembly, the goals of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development, and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The program is structured around two main areas, corresponding to the two available curriculum:

1. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY
This curriculum develops expertise in the sustainable management of natural resources and agriculture, with particular focus on precision agriculture and smart farming, decision support systems, reduction of agricultural inputs, logistics and management of production inputs and outputs (Internet of Things), product quality, and the protection of the environment and biodiversity (animal, plant, and microbial). It also addresses bioindustry approaches for the valorization of waste and non-food products to close production cycles,
biorefineries, and biogenetics.

2. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR ENSURING FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY
This curriculum develops skills in precision management of processing operations, logistics, and management of transformation inputs and outputs (Internet of Things), food quality, traceability, and safety, as well as biotechnologies and innovative low-environmental-impact technologies aimed at increasing product added value, maximizing efficiency, and minimizing waste. It also includes assessment of product and process sustainability, strategies to raise awareness among consumers and stakeholders on environmental issues, and marketing of sustainably produced food products.

Coordinator
 Maria Luisa Amodio

Members of the Academic Board
Marzia Albenzio
Antonietta Baiano
Nicola Bellantuono
Luciano Beneduce
 Antonio Bevilacqua
Antonia Carlucci
Mariangela Caroprese
Sergio Castellano
Giancarlo Colelli
 Giulia Conversa
Maria Rosaria Corbo
Biagia De Devitiis
 Laura De Palma
 Antonio Derossi
Antonio Elia
Zina Flagella
 Francesco Fornarelli
Matteo Francavilla
Giuseppe Gatta
Giacinto Salvatore Germinara
Annunziata Giangaspero
Marcella Michela Giuliani
Francesco Lops
Concetta Lotti
Rosaria Maria Teresa Marino
Annalisa Mastroserio
Giovanni Messina
Massimo Monteleone
Giovanni Giuseppe Normanno
 Sandra Pati
Enrico Vito Perrino
Maurizio Quinto
Antonella Santillo
Carla Severini
Agostino Sevi
Milena Grazia Rita Sinigaglia
 Mario Soccio
Giuseppe Spano
Antonio Stasi
 Antonia Tamborrino
Rosaria Viscecchia

Members from foreign universities and other institutions
Pasquale De Vita
Hamid El BIilali
Pavlos Tsquvaltzis
Maria Teresa Sanchez

PhD Student Representative on the Board
Ester Presutto

Montebello Roberta
Spadanuda Patrizio
Carnavale Antonio
Trombetta Nicola Gerardo
Accettulli Alessandra
Presutto Ester
Rosiello Giuseppe
Cofano Valeria Greta

Given the multidisciplinary nature of the PhD Program, the teaching activities are organized into mandatory courses for the two curricula (CVs), which include the core subjects of Univariate and Advanced Statistics, and elective courses chosen by the PhD student.
Within the first 6 months of activities, each student must submit their Individual Educational Plan (IEP), which must include the mandatory courses and at least 2 elective courses (4 ECTS), chosen from those offered by the PhD program and any external institution.
The Individual Educational Plan (IEP) must be approved by the Teaching Committees, based on the recommendations of the Educational Committee.

Mandatory Courses
- Information Systems and Experimental Data Processing Module: Descriptive Statistics and Simple and Multiple Regression Models (16 h/2 ECTS), Prof. Fabio Santeramo.
- Information Systems and Experimental Data Processing. Module: Experimental Design, Data - Analysis and Processing (24 h/3 ECTS), Prof. Giuseppe Gatta
- Basics of Programming (16 h/2ECTS), Prof. Annalisa Mastroserio
- Advanced Statistics (20 h/2 ECTS), Prof. Massimo Monteleone

Optional Courses
CV1
- Green economy: economic, social, and environmental aspects (20 h/2 ECTS), Prof. Antonio Stasi
-  Precision Livestock Farming: challenges and opportunities (16 h/2 ECTS), Prof. Maria Giovanna Ciliberti
- Impact of microbial communities in food and environment (16 h/2 ECTS). Prof. Angela Raccioppo
- Geographic informative system (20 h/2 ECTS), Prof. Anna Rita Cammerino
- Enzyme assays in plant cell extracts: a practical approach (16 h/ 2 ECTS), Prof. Mario Soccio

CV2
- Machine vision for food quality inspection 36 h/4 ECTS, Proff. Giancarlo Colelli and Prof. Roberto Romaniello
- Research Methods: aspetti teorici e applicazioni al settore agro- alimentare (20 h/ 2 ECTS), Prof. Francesco Bimbo
- Trends in analytical techniques for quality and safety controls in the agro- food sector (16 h/ 2 ECTS), Prof. Maurizio Quinto
- Parasitic contaminants of raw vegetables and fruits and public health (20 h/2 ECTS), Prof. Alessandra Barlaam
- Impact of microbial communities in food and environment (16 h/2 ECTS). Prof. Angela Racioppo
- Enzyme assays in plant cell extracts: a practical approach (16 h/ 2 ECTS), Prof. Mario Soccio

In order to optimize the procedures for authorization and reimbursement of missions for participation in scientific initiatives in Italy and abroad, it is necessary to follow the following steps:

• Send an email, preferably with at least seven days' notice, to the Coordinator and the secretariat requesting authorization for the mission, in accordance with the designated tutor. If available, attach the event flyer or other documentation related to the initiative you intend to participate in.
• Once you have received approval from the Coordinator via email, send the authorization request form  training activities for PhD students request form reserved for doctoral students to the Administration and Accounting Service - email  grazia.sepielli@unifg.it for the necessary internal procedures. The form should be completed and signed in each section.  
• For the mission, it is possible to request a cash advance, for which the form must be completed and attached to the aforementioned mission assignment
• At the end of the mission, submit the duly signed reimbursement request form to the Administration and Accounting Service – email grazia.sepielli@unifg.it, along with all the original supporting documents for the mission. 
• Travel, meal, and accommodation expenses, receipts, and invoices must be submitted in their original form, accompanied by boarding passes, even if electronic.

Authorization for the mission is always necessary, regardless of any subsequent request for expense reimbursement

The PhD program requires a mandatory period of training abroad, whose activation procedure should be addressed to the University Doctoral Office.