Santa Olga Cacciola

Catania, 12/03/2025

Surname, Name: CACCIOLA Santa Olga

Nationality: Italian

Actual address: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, V. S. Sofia, 100, 95123 Catania - Italy; tel.; +39 095 7147371/3289393860

http://www.di3a.unict.it/docenti/santa.olga.cacciola

Research Profile. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7926-3601; Scopus Author ID: 6603225299; Mendeley: https://www.mendeley.com/settings/account/; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Santa-Olga-Cacciola; Research Interest Score 3,689; Citations: 5,096; h-index: 39 (12/03/2025); Google Scholar Citations: 6962; Indice H: 46; i10-index: 137; SCOPUS: 4,195 Citations; 2,631 documents, 187 Documents; 37 h-index (12/03/2025).

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7926-3601

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER

• Currently (as of March 1, 2023) full professor of Plant Pathology, University of Catania.
• Passed National Habilitation - ASN: 2012 and 2013 as full professor.
• 2008: associate professor in Plant Pathology, University of Catania.
• 2000: OECD/OECE fellowship on “Molecular techniques for the identification of Phytophthora”), The James Hutton Institute, Scotland (UK) with D.E.L. Cooke.
• 1998-2008: associate professor in Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Palermo.
• 1990: PhD in Plant Pathology and researcher at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Catania.
• 1984-1985 (18 months): NIH (National Institute of Health) fellow at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA), studying adhesion factor in cell-cell interactions.
• 1982-1983: “Roche Foundation” fellowship for a research project on red blood cell transport at the Institut fur Biochemie (University of Bern, Switzerland).
• 1980: degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Catania (110 cum laude).

TEACHING AND MENTORING

- Environmental Plant Pathology, Plant Pathology, Applied Plant Pathology, Forest Pathology, Plant Morphology and Physiology, Postharvest Plant Pathology for undergraduate and graduate students.

- Supervisor of graduate and doctoral students.

- Member of the “Committee board” of the PhDs: “Ecocompatible Pest Management in Agro-Forestry and Urban Environments,” University of Palermo and ‘Biotechnology,’ University of Catania (2008-2014); ‘Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences,’ University of Catania (International Course, 2013-2015); and ‘Agricultural, Food, Forestry and Environmental Sciences,’ University of Palermo (2016/2020); ‘Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences,’ University of Catania (International Course, A. A. 2020-2025); supporter of the Inter-Athenaeum PEGASO project in “Advanced and Sustainable Agricultural-Forestry Systems”, University of Florence since 2023 up to now (presence in the doctoral college with the role of external academic expert).

RESEARCH INTERESTS

General experience is in Plant Pathology, mainly with oomycetes and horticultural crops, fruit trees and forest tree species, fungi and diagnosis. The main lines of research are: 1. Phytophthora and fungal diseases of citrus, Mediterranean ornamental and forestry plants; 2. Phylogeny and molecular diagnosis of Phytophthora and fungal pathogens; 3. Metagenomics of plant pathogens; 4. Colletotrichum anthracnose of olive and other crops; 5. Genetic variability of Phytophthora populations with different tools and strategies; 6. Bioremediation strategies using filaments and oomycetes. Bioremediation strategies with filamentous beneficial fungi; 7. Differential gene expression of these fungi in the presence of heavy metals; 8. Biological control and land management for plant disease control; 9. Understanding plant-pathogen-antagonist interaction at the molecular level

Invited speaker at national and international conferences, the most recent of which are:

- SIPaV-APS Ancona Joint Session, September 5-7, 2018 on “Emerging and Re-emerging Plant Pathogens.”

- Satellite meeting of the International Congress of Plant Pathology - July 28, 2018: 6th International Workshop on Oomycetes: Phytophthora, Pythium, Downy Mildews and related genera.

- 10th meeting of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) - working group S07.02.09. Phytophthora in forests and natural ecosystems. June 19-25, 2022 University of California Berkeley, California, USA;

- 13th Arab Congress of Plant Protection (ACPP 2022) October 16 - 21, 2022, Hammamet, Tunisia in the “Keynote Address and Symposia Program: Advances in Molecular Plant Protection and its Applications in Pest Management.”

- Final Conference of the FEDKITO project “Towards Circular Economy in Agribusiness: Strategies and Challenges” September 12, 2023, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (DAFE), Pisa.

- PRIMA collaborate: AN EVENT UNITING MED RESEARCHERS IN MALTA FOR INNOVATION, Malta 8th - 9th of February 2024 (Chaplain's Hall, Esplora, Kalkara, MALTA).

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS AND AWARDS

Coordinator or participant

- CNR funded project on “Genetics of Fungi” (Research Unit).

-  MIUR - PRIN: 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 (Research Unit), 2008-2010 (national leader)

-  DIGESFAM project (“counter project”), funded by MiPAF (2005-2007)

-  SAMAGRUMI 2007-2013 (participant); funded by the “Regione Siciliana” with EU funds Operational Program - ERDF 2007-2013

-  Italy-UK Bilateral (2002-2004; “Effect of climate change on geographical distribution of Phytophthora and risk of subsequent damage to important Mediterranean ecosystems” Partner: Dr. D.E.L. Cooke of SCRI, Scotland)

- Bilateral Italy-Spain (2007-2009; “Uptake of heavy metal ions by fungal bioresins in bioremediation of wastewater and polluted soils”. Partner: Dr. Irene Garcia Fernandez, “Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis,” University of Seville, Spain)

-  Italy-Sweden-Vietnam Trilateral, Initiation Grant STINT (2011-2013; “Tree diseases caused by Phytophthora species threatening forests and orchards in different continents.”

- -Italy-Iran (2018-2019; “PIETRO DELLA VALLE” Mobility Program “Diseases of pomegranate and pistachio and selection of ecotypes resistant to fungal diseases in Iran.” Partner: Prof. Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa “Department of Plant Protection, University of Shiraz, Iran.

- “FITOPALMINTRO” project, funded by the Sicilian Region (2007-2009); component.

- Research evaluation of the University of Catania (2005-2009 Top scientist Area 07 - Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences). Special awards: additional funds of the University of Catania (euro 10,000).

- VQR (“Agenzia Nazionale di Valutazione del Sistema Universitario e della Ricerca”: National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research) Evaluation period: 2004-2010 and 2011-2014. Score of evaluated research products: 1 (Excellent).

- U.S. FULBRIGHT faculty and researchers in Italy - A.Y. 2017-18, GRANT FULBRIGHT GRANT (Host partner)

- BiOrangePack - Smart and innovative packaging, post-harvest rot management and shipping of organic citrus fruit.  2021-2024 (24-month extension) FIRST 2019 S-2, FIRST Section 2 - 2019 - Role: Project Coordinator. Budget 3693522€.

- PROMETEO - “Un village transfrontalier pour protéger la culture des arboricoles méditerranéennes en partageant les connaissances”, 2021-2023, project Italie-Tunisie Strategique, Role: Coordinator of the project. Budget: 1.500.000€

- WEF-CAP, 2021-2023, ENI CBC MED, Ruolo: Partner.

- Progetto Erasmus +- International credit mobility KA107, 2019-2021, Ruolo: referente per UNICT.

- BioLemonCare, 'Progetto PSR sottomisura 16.1' - Fase 2 del PSR Sicilia, Ruolo: Partner universitario.

- 2020 to date. Positive assessment regarding the participation of local committees, in accordance with Art. 6, paragraphs 7 and 8, of the Implementing Regulations. 6, paragraphs 7 and 8, of Law 240/2010,” issued by R.D. 276 of 1/30/2020.

- 2023-2025, Scientific Task Leader in the ERASMUS-EDU-2023-EMJM-DESIGN project “Mediterranean Forest Health in a Global Climate Change Scenario” (FORCLIMED).

- 2023-2027. Scientific Responsible for activities relevant to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Catania in the COST project “CA22134 - Sustainable Network for agrofood loss and waste prevention, management, quantification and valorisation (FoodWaStop)” (General Manager: Prof. G. Romanazzi, Università Politecnica delle Marche).

- EUPHRESCO project; Topic: objective 2017-R-1.; 2017-R-1.2; 2017-R-2.1 “Phytophthora in public gardens: understanding pathways and mitigating risk (Phyto-gard)” (2023-2025, partner).

- MEASURE 19 RDP 2014/2022 Leader Local Development Support. Sub-measure 19.2 “Support for the implementation of interventions under the Participatory Local Development (CLLD) strategy.”  Implementation of the Local Development Plan - “LAG-led” actions. Title: Action 1.3.2. “INNOVAPROD - Innovative Actions for the Productivity of the Quality Fruit and Vegetable District.” Role: partner.

- MEASURE 19 RDP 2014/2022 Support for Leader Local Development. Sub-measure 19.2 “Support for the implementation of interventions under the Participatory Local Development Strategy (CLLD)”.  Implementation of the Local Development Plan - “LAG-led” actions. Title: Action 1.3.1. “NewCitrusTech - New technological solutions for the citrus supply chain: transfer of innovation for the improvement of quality standards of citrus production and to cope with the threat of infectious diseases of fungal origin of citrus fruits in the GAL Eloro area.” Role: partner.

INTERNATIONAL ACTIONS

- 2009-2012. Member of the Management Committee (MC) - COST-EU (European International Cooperation in Science and Technology) COST Action FPS FP0801: “Established and Emerging Phytophthora: Increasing Threats to Woodland and Forest Ecosystems in Europe”.

- 2014- 2019.  Member of MC - FPS COST Action FP1406: “Pine pitch canker - strategies for management of Gibberella circinata in greenhouses and forests (PINESTRENGTH)”.

- Member of the Scientific Committee of the 10th meeting of Working Group S07.02.09 “Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems” of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), Berkeley USA, June 19-25, 2022.

- 2023 - 2027. Member of Management Committee - COST Action CA22134: “ Sustainable Network for agrofood loss and waste prevention, management, quantification and valorisation (FoodWaStop)”.

 

EDITORIAL AND REVIEWER ACTIVITIES

• Editor of the treatise “Olive diseases and disorders” published by Transworld Research Network Trivandrum, Kerala India ISBN 978 – 81-7895-539–1 (2011).
• Senior Editor of Plant Disease (APS), Plants (MDPI), Journal of Plant Pathology (Springer) and Journal of Fungi (MDPI), and associate editor of  Frontiers in Agriculture and Pest Technology, Functional Plant Science and Biotechnology.
• Referee for Journal of Plant Pathology, Frontiers in Plant Science, Phytopathology, Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, Plant Disease, Plant Pathology, PLOS ONE, Biocontrol Science & Technology, Phytopathologia Mediterranea, Forest Pathology, Forests, Forest Science, Natural Product Research, European Journal of Plant Pathology, European Journal of Plant Science, Biotechnology, Frontiers in Plant Science, Scientific Reports, Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, Heliyon Journal, Australasian Plant Pathology Journal, Crop Protection, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, New Phytologist , Phytobiomes, Biological Control.

SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION

University of Berkeley, USA (Prof. M. Garbelotto); The James Hutton Institute (formerly Scottish Research Crop Institute), Scottland (Dr D.E.L. Cooke); University of Cork, Ireland (Prof. D. Sheehan); University of Valencia, Spain (Dr Ana Perez); University of Sevilla, Spain (Dr. I. Garcia Fernandez); Forestry Commission Research Agency, UK (Prof. C. Brasier); USDA, USA (Dr. F.N. Martin, Dr. G. Abad), The Volcani Center Israel (Dr. D. Ezra), Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical – IICT, Portugal (P. Talhinhas); Phytophthora Research Centre, Mendel University, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic (Dr. T. Jung); North Carolina State University – North Carolina, USA  (Prof. J. B. Ristaino); Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierís Agrarias - Universidad de Valladolid – Palencia, Spain (Dr. J.J. Diez Caseiro); Department of Postharvest Science - ARO, The Volcani Center (Prof. S. Droby); Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel (Prof. D. Ezra); EUPHRESCO (dr Baldissera Giovani); University of Applied Sciences, Isparta, Turkey (Prof. Hatice Tugba Dogmus);  University of Aberdeen,  Aberdeen, Scotland, UK (Prof. Steve Woodward).

SCIENTIFIC MEMBERSHIPS

- Member of the American Phytopathological Society.

- Member of the Italian Society of Plant Pathology (SIPaV).

- Member of the Italian Mycological Union. 

- Member of the Associazione italiana per la protezione delle piante (AIPP)

- Member of BSPP (British Society of Plant Pathology)

- 2016-2019. Member of the Council of the Italian Society of Plant Pathology (SIPaV). 

INSTITUTIONAL FUNCTIONS

Component of

• “Permanent Committee for Monitoring of the Teaching Activity of the undergraduate Courses of the Agricultural Faculty of the University of Palermo 2007-2008.
• Departmental Committee advising the Director on the decision related to the Agricultural Faculty’, University of Palermo 2007-2008.
• Departmental Committee advising the Director on the decision related to Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente –2014-2018.
• Departmental Committee "Gruppo di Gestione di Assicurazione Qualità della Ricerca (GGAQR)" of the University of Catania for SSD AGR12 (Plant pathology) to evaluate the Quality of the Research-2013.
• Committee for the “Selezione del Direttore del Centro di ricerca per la Patologia vegetale di Roma del Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura” Rome, CREA - 2012.
• Committee for the “Selezione di assegnisti e borsisti del CREA-OFA” Rende (CS) - 2019-2020.
• Member of the Committee "Gruppo di Gestione di Assicurazione Qualità (GGAQ)" of the course LM75 - 2019-2020; 2021-2024.
• List of expert of CREA (Consiglio per la Ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'Economia Agraria) according with the Article 4, paragraph 1, letter c) of Regulation of organization and operation (“Regolamento di organizzazione e funzionamento”).
• Member of the Di3A Permanent Laboratory for Sustainability (“Laboratorio Permanente per la Sostenibilità del Di3A”).
• Delegate at the Catania High School for Di3A, 2023-2027.
• President of the Researcher Level III competition committee appointed by the CREA - Centro di ricerca per l’Olivicoltura, la Frutticoltura e l’Agrumicoltura, Rende (CS). 12.01.2024.

 

VIEW THE PUBLICATIONS

• Study of genetic variability of fungal pathogen populations by molecular methods.
• Study of the physiological alterations in plants infected with citrus mal secco.
• Development of molecular diagnostic methods for identification of species of Phytophthora and other fungal pathogens causal agents of diseases of crop, ornamental and forestry plants.
• Application of fungi in strategies of "bioremediation" for removing heavy metals from polluted sites
• Understanding the interaction plant-pathogen-antagonist at molecular level.