Gian Luca Vannini

Supervisors: Prof. Gianluca Brunori and Dr. Gianpaolo Coro (ISTI-CNR)

Research field: Agricultural Economy, Information Science and Technology

Research interests: assessment of ecosystem services and biodiversity, climate change and anthropization, risk analysis, sustainable digital agriculture, GIS and ecological data modelling

DAFE – University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto n°80, 56124 – Pisa – (IT)
gianluca.vannini@phd.unipi.it

Gian Luca Vannini is a PhD student at the Pisa Agriculture Economics (PAGE) research group of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Agro-Environmental Sciences (DiSAAA-a) of the University of Pisa and a Research Fellow at the Institute of Information Science and Technology (ISTI) of the National Research Council (CNR). He began his academic career by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Enology, he then attended an Advanced Course in Geographical Information Systems and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Design and Management of Urban Greenery and Landscape at the University of Pisa. For several years, he worked as a GIS analyst for a local government, dealing with the design, management and monitoring of territorial and environmental planning. Recently, Gian Luca has held the position of a research fellow at the Institute of Bioeconomics of the CNR in Florence, contributing to the E-Crops project (Miur’s National Operational Programme in the Agrifood area). In this context, his studies have concentrated on technologies for sustainable digital agriculture, particularly in the processes of satellite image elaboration, the use of drones and sensors for remote sensing data acquisition, and the dissemination of webGIS services. Currently, at the ISTI-CNR, Gian Luca has directed his research activities towards the design and development of computer infrastructure applications related to virtual research environments, with a specific focus on mining, harmonization, and manipulation of geospatial data. His PhD project aims to integrate biological, anthropogenic and environmental aspects in a multidisciplinary manner though the application of a computer-based approach based on numerical modelling of geospatial data. The main goal is to develop a comprehensive and in-deep overview of the wetland system, with particular attention of ecosystem services associated with them, considering the implication of climate change and anthropization phenomena.

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Agro-environmental Sciences at the University of Pisa, the oldest Agricultural School in Italy, is dedicated to addressing the challenges of the future. Agricultural Sciences are essential for community well-being and economic development, despite the small workforce in the primary sector in developed countries. With a focus on food security, a circular economy, quality of life, and environmental conservation, the department plays a pivotal role in establishing sustainable agri-food production systems. Through impactful research, high-quality education, and community services, the department generates technological innovations for socio-economic advancement. The department’s study programs equip students with specialized knowledge, practical skills, and critical awareness. By combining theoretical and practical approaches, students are prepared for job opportunities and personal growth. Faculty members conduct interdisciplinary research and collaborate with local and international partners to foster innovation and address agricultural challenges.