Alice Ripamonti

Supervisors: Prof. Marcello Mele and Dr. Alberto Mantino

Research field: Animal science

Research interests: agroforestry, animal welfare and behaviour, silvopastoral systems, beef cattle, modelling

Department head office, via del Borghetto, 80, Pisa
alice.ripamonti@phd.unipi.it

Alice is a PhD student in animal science at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Pisa. In October 2019, she graduated from University of Milan with a BA degree in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies. Alice received her MS in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Padova in October 2021. Through her BA and MS, Alice dedicated herself with passion and enthusiasm on agroforestry, silvopastoral systems and ecosystem services related to animal production. Particularly, she is deepening her knowledge regarding extensive beef cattle production focusing on the implementation of silvopastoral systems in her PhD project titled “Ecosystem services and animal welfare for sustainable livestock intensification in Mediterranean agrosilvopastoral systems”. Some of the novelties she is exploring in her project is the use of innovative technologies in monitoring animal welfare and behaviour in extensive livestock systems in relation to climate change. Recently, she started studying modelling approach to evaluate ecosystems services provided by agroforestry systems; particularly she is learning Yield-SAFE model. She is currently involved in two European projects: AGROMIX (862993) and DigitAF (101059794). Thanks to those projects she is collaborating with European Universities and Research institutes to share and increase the scientific evidence of benefits provided by agroforestry systems and their limits. Since 2023, she is a member of the European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) scientific committee.

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.