My research focuses on the study of human population prehistory through our genetic variability, and on the relationships between genetic fingerprints and demographic events such as human migration, diffusion and contact. I am interested in exploring parallels between genetic and other anthropological disciplines, especially linguistics. I studied the genetic prehistory of various regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa, southern Europe, and, in particular, South America. I carried fieldwork expeditions in Botswana, Peru, Chile and Italy. I specialized in the study of Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA variation, and in the field of genetic genealogy, while nowadays I work on large global genomic datasets. I am interested in the impact of genetic studies on our society, and how they influence our perception of group and single identity. I focus on improving participation and transparency in human genetic studies, in particular towards the inclusion of minorities and indigenous groups. I have been invited to speak at international conferences and workshops, covering topics of multidisciplinary studies, human prehistory, human genetic and linguistic diversity, and ethical approaches to scientific research.

At UniCA, I teach the course Evolutionary Genomics. I am affiliated to the University of Zurich as an Independent Group Leader in the research group “Human genetic diversity across languages and cultures”. I worked as a postdoc in the department of Linguistic and Cultural Evolution at Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany and in the department of Evolutionary Genetics at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.

Higher education

2010 – 2013. PhD in Biodiversity and Evolution, University of Bologna, Italy, and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
Title of Dissertation: Comparing genetic and linguistic diversity in African populations with a focus on the Khoisan of southern Africa. Final score: excellent with mention.

2005 – 2008. Master Degree in Biodiversity and Evolution, University of Bologna, Italy. Final score: 110 out of 110 with Honors.

2002 – 2005. Bachelor Degree in Natural Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy.

Career

Feb/18 - Jun/20. Senior Postdoc (Oberassistant) at University of Zurich. 

Jul/15 – Jan/18. Postdoctoral position at Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.

Dec/14 - Jun/15. Postdoctoral position at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.

Jul/13 - Oct/14. Postdoctoral position at University of Bologna, Italy

Sep/09 - Apr/13. PhD position at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.