Marco Castellacci

Supervisors: Prof. Tommaso Giordani

Research field: Agricultural genetics

Research interests: genetics, genomics, Ficus carica L., FIGGEN, GWAS

Department head office, via del Borghetto, 80, Pisa
marco.castellacci@phd.unipi.it

Marco Castellacci is a PhD student in Agricultural Food and Environment program at the University of Pisa. In 2019, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Pisa. In 2021, he completed his master’s degree in Agri-food Production and Agro-ecosystem Management from the University of Pisa, with a bioinformatics thesis concerning the analysis of structural variations among homologous chromosomes of Ficus carica L. He is interested in the genetics and genomics of plant species and focuses on the study of crops resistant to abiotic disorders. His research project is part of an international project called FIGGEN. It is a three-year project promoted by the PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Region) program supported by the European Union. The project aims to valorize the fig tree biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin and select fig genotypes better adapted to marginal areas affected by drought and salt conditions. Marco will use Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to analyze about 300 fig genotypes from Spain, Turkey, and Tunisia to identify genes related to phenotypic traits such as productivity, fruit quality, drought, and salinity tolerance to use them in breeding program techniques.

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.