Claudio Cannata

2021-2024: PhD course in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science (ciclo XXXVII), University of Catania. Research project: “Combined agronomic approaches to obtain Mediterranean vegetables with enhanced nutraceutical profiles”. The aim of the PhD project is to study how different agronomic approaches are able to increase the nutritional proprieties of vegetable products in order to answer to the growing market demand of functional foods. To achieve the proposed goal, different agronomic strategies will be used. The project will be focus on the importance of the cultivar’s choice in combination with biostimulation and biofortification strategies. The outcome can be a valuable agronomic practice or a combination of them able to improve product quality.

Aug 2021 - Oct 2021: Research Grant, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, supervisor: Prof. Cherubino Leonardi. Research grant title: “Incremento della sostenibilità della coltura di asparago mediante l’impiego di pacciamatura e di subirrigazione”  within a “Programma di Sviluppo Rurale” project on research and innovation.

June 2021 - July 2021: Postgraduate Erasmus Traineeship at “Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias” (IVIA): Supervisor Dr. Angeles Calatayud. Research activities were focused at: Evaluation, selection and improvement of pepper plants materials to be use as rootstocks with high tolerance to water and thermal stress.- Collection field data regarding the physiological and agronomical responses of plants to cultural practices and stress conditions. Evaluation of product quality and yield during several growth stages.

2018-2020: Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science and Technology, University of Catania; supervisor Prof. Cherubino Leonardi. Title of degree thesis: “Quality and Carotenoids Profile of Greenhouse Cherry Tomato Cultivars as Affected by Biostimulation”. Final mark: 110/110 cum laude.

2015-2018: Bechelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science and Technology, University of Catania; supervisor: Prof. Carmelo Rapisarda. Title of degree thesis: “Invasive alien insects and their phytosanitary importance for plant quarantine: the case study of Anthonomus eugenii, a serious threat to Italian horticultural crops”. Final mark: 110/110 cum laude.

2015: High School diploma, “Istituto Professionale Principi Grimaldi – Servizi per l’agricoltura e lo sviluppo rurale”. Final mark 84/100.