Mario Di Stefano
Tutor: Antonia Egidia Cristaudo
PhD student in Earth and Environmental sciences. 10/2022 – Current
University of Catania, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences
Field of study: Germination eco-physiology
Title of the thesis: Dynamics of Mediterranean temporary ponds plant communities and potential impacts of climate change
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Licence to practice as a biologist. 11/2023
University of Catania
Grade: 47/50
Master's Degree in Environmental Biology (LM-06). 04/2022
University of Catania, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences
Field of study: Germination ecology
Thesis: Germination behavior of Mediterranean temporary ponds species: Ranunculus lateriflorus DC. and Ranunculus ophioglossifolius Vill.
Grade: 110/110 cum laude
Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences (L-13). 02/2020
University of Catania, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences
Thesis: Coastal wetlands of eastern Sicily: key environments in biodiversity conservation
Grade: 110/110 cum laude
WORK EXPERIENCE
Qualified tutor. 13/10/2023 – Current
University of Catania; course in Plant Morphology and Physiology (Bachelor of Biological Sciences)
Supporting students and organizing the conduct of intermediate examinations (20 hours)
Scholarship. 03/12/2020 – 03/06/2021
Germplasm Bank, University of Catania
Cleaning, characterization and conservation of germplasm related to target species of Sicilian wildflora. Overall duration: 6 months
Internship. 01/07/2019 – 10/10/2019
Germplasm Bank, University of Catania
Collection, cleaning and conservation of germplasm belonging to the Sicilian wild flora (128 hours; 5 CFU).
Stage. 19/03/2019 – 21/05/2019
Germplasm Bank, University of Catania
Preparation and conduct of germination tests on germplasm related to threatened Sicilian endemic flora (45 hours).
My research project aims to understand the germination dynamics of species characterising Mediterranean temporary ponds (MTPs, habitat 3170*, Directive 92/43/EEC).
The germination behaviour of target species is studied through the development of predictive models of the germination niche under different climate change scenarios. This will be achieved through:
- analysis of environmental factors influencing germination
- identification of dormancy mechanisms
The achievement of the objectives will help to indicate the physiological factors controlling germination and to assess the potential effects of climate change on MTPs plant species and communities.