Course instructor
Graduate school (PhD) lecturer
Since 2024
- Cognitive ecology
Course instructor (MSc/BSc)
Since 2026
- Ethology, ecology and evolution (MSc)
2024 – 2026
- Animal biology (BSc)
2022 – 2023
- Cognitive ecology (MSc)
2020 – 2023
- Behavioural ecology (MSc) – Block course
- Experimental animal ecology (MSc) – Practical course at UP field station (co-instructor)
- Animal ecology (MSc) co-instructor
- Applied topics in animal ecology and human biology (MSc-BSc) co-instructor
- Scientific work in animal ecology and human biology (MSc-BSc) co-instructor
Guest lecturer
2026
- Animal personality in context: global change and biodiversity conservation – Applied ethology course (Dr. Tricarico), University of Florence
2025
- Innovazione e disturbo antropico nei piccoli mammiferi – Animal biodiversity course (Prof. Gasparini), University of Padova
- Elements of behavioural ecology – Ecology course (Prof. Canestrelli), University of Tuscia
- Early-life experience and development of individual differences in juvenile lobsters – Biodiversity conservation course (Prof. Polverino), University of Tuscia.
2024 – 2025
- Cephalopod cognition – Ethology, ecology and evolution course (Prof. Carere), University of Tuscia
2024
- Small mammals sampling (field excursion, 1 day) – Zoological sampling techniques (Prof.s Vignoli & Riccieri), University of Rome3.
2019 – 2020
- Animal innovation – Animal ecology course (Prof. Eccard), University of Potsdam
- Introduction to animal personality – Animal ecology course (Prof. Eccard), University of Potsdam
- Sensory ecology – Animal ecology course (Prof. Eccard), University of Potsdam
2019
- Animal cognition – Animal ecology course (Prof. Eccard), University of Potsdam
- Animal communication – Animal ecology course (Prof. Eccard), University of Potsdam
2018
- Individual variation in cognition and behaviour – Animal ecology course (Prof. Eccard), University of Potsdam
2017
- Elements of animal cognition – Animal ecology course (Prof. Eccard), University of Potsdam
2015
- Mating systems – Animal behaviour and ecology course (Prof. Dessì–Fulgheri), University of Florence
- Hormones and mating systems – Animal behaviour course (Prof. Dessì–Fulgheri), University of Florence
Supervised student projects
Since 2026
- Peruzzi M. (BSc): Effects of environmental enrichment on decapod crustaceans’ development. Supervisor.
2026
- Bianco M. (MSc): Cognitive abilities of European lobsters. Supervisor, Advisor.
- Meo D. (MSc): Effects of human disturbance on small mammal behaviour in protected areas. Supervisor, Advisor.
Since 2025
- Ferrazza M. (BSc): The song of the sea: cetacean acoustic communication and disruption by anthropogenic activities. Supervisor, Advisor.
2025
- Vezyrakis A. (PhD candidate): Animal innovation: from diffusion to fitness consequences. Co-supervisor, co-advisor.
- Jánošíková R. (PhD candidate): Personality and range expansion of striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius). Advisor (2022-2025), Erasmus+ host/supervisor (2022).
- Ferretti S. (PhD candidate): Behaviour and welfare in marine invertebrates: biological invasion as a model. Advisor.
- Benedetti D. (MSc): Effects of environmental enrichment on exploration and spatial learning of European lobsters. Co-supervisor, Advisor.
- Döjen S. (BSc): Exploration and sociability in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor). Supervisor, Advisor.
Since 2024
- Burini G. (MSc): Phenotypic plasticity and behavioural ontogeny in experimental aquaculture: the European lobster case. Advisor.
2024
- Bolek M. (MSc): Innovative problem-solving in raccoons. Supervisor, Advisor.
- Schenkel K. (MSc): Behavioural flexibility and personality in free-ranging small mammals. Supervisor, Advisor.
- Burini G. (MSc): Development of claw asymmetry under different rearing conditions in European lobsters. Co-supervisor, Advisor.
- Papetti V. (MSc): Reversal learning of free-living octopuses. Co-supervisor, Advisor.
- Scalvini M. (MSc): Speed-accuracy trade-offs in juvenile lobsters’ decision-making. Co-supervisor, Advisor.
2023
- Dudek D. (MSc): Raccoons’ repeated innovation along the rural-urban gradient. Advisor, Erasmus+ host/supervisor.
- Agnew V. (MSc): Do set-up type and material affect small mammals’ innovative performance in rural and urban habitats? Supervisor, Advisor.
- Fischer M. (BSc): Ask the voles – Welfare and housing conditions of wild rodents in captivity. Supervisor, Advisor.
- Mauel L.C. (BSc): Animal personality meets conservation. Behavioural assessments for European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) re-introduction in Germany. Supervisor.
2022
- Brech H. (BSc.): Among-individual variation in exploration in raccoons (Procyon lotor): development and validation of a personality test. Supervisor, Advisor.
- Richter L.K. (MSc): Unmasking the Bandits: Mastering Facial Recognition of Raccoons. Supervisor, Advisor.
2021
- Binet L. (MSc): Small mammals’ dietary innovation and behavioural flexibility in human-altered environments. Supervisor, Advisor.
- Frigieri F. (MSc): Links between small mammals’ personality and problem solving ability along the rural-urban gradient. Supervisor, Advisor.
2019
- Kunkel J. (MSc): Information use and foraging decisions in bank voles (Myodes glareolus). Co-advisor.
- Schöpkewitz C. (BSc): Spatial skills in rural and urban striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius). Advisor.
2018
- Lösche E. (MSc): Personality in rural and urban small mammals: a cross-generational experiment. Co-supervisor, Advisor.
- Müller I. (MSc): Neophobia in rural and urban rodents: a multi-trait comparative study. Advisor.
2017
- Gottsche C. (BSc): Personality differences between urban and rural populations in Apodemus species. Co-advisor.
2016
- Martini M. (MSc): Demographic parameters and spatial behaviour of a Savi’s pine vole population (Microtus savii) in agroecosystem. Co-advisor.
Advisor = design of the project in which the student conducts their thesis, teaching and supervision of the student during data collection, statistical analyses of the data, interpretation of the results, guidance and discussion of literature relevant to thesis topic.
Supervisor = final approval and grading of the thesis and preliminary protocol, participation at the defence.
Secondary school
2012 – 2014
- Teacher in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, geology) Liceo Paritario Maria Ausiliatrice, Turin (Italy)
2010 – 2011
- Teacher in natural sciences (biology) Centro Italiano Opere Femminili per la Formazione Professionale, Turin (Italy)
I am currently looking for students interested in studies on animal cognition, in relation to human presence and disturbance, as well as adjustments to urbanisation and non-native habitats. Current study species include raccoons, small mammals, and cephalopods. I am always open to discuss new collaborations, internships, specialisation modules and BSc/MSc theses. If you want to know more about current projects and possibilities, contact me!