Gianmarco Minniti

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

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2023 – ATTUALE Catania, Italia

PhD STUDENT UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA

Tesi: IL MUSEO DI PALEONTOLOGIA DELL’UNIVERSITÀ DI CATANIA: REVISIONE DI IMPORTANTI COLLEZIONI DELLA SICILIA SUD-ORIENTALE E PROPOSTE DI FRUIZIONE

2023 – ATTUALE Siracusa, Italia

REASERCHER OF EOS SICILY PROJECT 

The project focuses on the arrival of humans in Sicily and the dynamics of the first Mediterranean migrations during the Paleolithic period. Using mathematical and ethno-anthropological models, the research aims to explore the province of Syracuse by land and sea to identify new archaeological sites from this era, starting from the reanalysis of known and previously excavated sites.A significant outcome of the research has been the rediscovery, after more than 150 years, of seven semi-submerged caves along the northern coast of Syracuse, following the traces of the renowned Austrian anthropologist Von Adrien. This discovery opens new perspectives on the study of prehistoric human movements and the relationship between ancient populations and the coastal environment of Sicily.

MSC IN ENVIROMENTAL BIOLOGY UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA

• Identification and analysis of a Mediterranean great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) tooth from the Gelasian, representing the oldest documented finding in Sicily;
• Stratigraphic and geological investigation of the fossiliferous outcrop to reconstruct its paleohistory and sedimentary context;
• Collection and study of Lower Pleistocene marine fossils to outline the paleobiodiversity of the period;
• Analysis of volumetric samples using a stereomicroscope, with detailed classification of microfossils;
• Use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the taxonomic characterization of shark teeth;
• In-depth study of the paleoecological and paleoclimatic dynamics of the entire stratigraphic section to understand the evolution of marine environments in the area.
• Voto finale 110/110 Lode

Tesi: IL PLEISTOCENE FREDDO DI BAIA MASSOLIVIERI (SIRACUSA, SICILIA ORIENTALE): PALEOBIODIVERSITÀ, PALAOEAMBIENTE E PALEOEVOLUZIONE.

 

BSC IN NATURAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA

• Identification and study of a coastal fossil deposit containing remains of Pleistocene mammals;
• Analysis of Middle-Upper Pleistocene megafauna remains for paleoecological reconstruction;
• Taphonomic and taxonomic investigation of fossil specimens to determine fossilization conditions and species classification;
• Exhibition at the Paleontological Museum of the University of Catania of a highly significant fossil: the lower jaw of the Sicilian dwarf red deer (Cervus elaphus siciliae, Pohlig 1893);
• Reconstruction of the ancient environment and faunal associations through the study of the Palaeoloxodon mnaidriensis / Grotta Maccagnone Faunal Complex (FC);
• First documented fossil discovery of the genus Muticaria, expanding knowledge of the malacological fauna of the Sicilian-Maltese Pleistocene.

Voto finale 110/110

Tesi: DEPOSITO A VERTEBRATI DEL PLEISTOCENE MEDIO-SUPERIORE DI SANTA PANAGIA (SIRACUSA, SICILIA ORIENTALE).

ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE ALFA  (ASSOCIAZIONE LIBERI FOTOGRAFI ARETUSEI)

• Focus-Taking;
• HDR;
• Overviews;
• Multiexposure ;
• Color Theory;
• B/W Conversion;
• Photoshop.

GUIDA AMBIENTALE ESCURSIONISTICA ETNOANTROPOLOGICA SISTEMA RETE MUSEALI IBLEI;

ABILITAZIONE PROFESSIONE BIOLOGO UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA;

OPEN WATER PADI LEVEL ONE CAPO MURRO DIVING CENTER.

TRAINEE GUIDE LEVEL 1 ARENA ACADEMY;

 

WORK EXPERIENCES

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15/12/2022 – 6/06/2023 Catania, Italia

 RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA

• Analysis of coralligenous concretions and associated sediments in the seabed of Marzamemi (SE Sicily), with a focus on formation processes and ecological dynamics;
• Study of the faunal association present in bioconstruction samples and core samples collected in the area, with taxonomic classification of species;
• Contribution to research within the CRESCIBLUREEF project, aimed at understanding benthic ecosystems and their evolution over time.

12/11/2022 – 6/06/2023 Catania, Italia

SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANT DIGITAL ATOM COMPANY

• Internship focused on learning and using advanced 3D modeling software, with applications in scientific research and digital documentation;
• Operational support in marine activities, including data collection and environmental analysis;
• Scientific consultancy for the design of info-points dedicated to disseminating information about detected marine biocenoses, with a focus on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

15/05/2022 – 31/08/2022 Priolo, Italia

NATURALISTIC GUIDE RISERVA NATURALE ORIENTATA EX SALINE DI PRIOLO

• Welcoming and guiding visitors by providing detailed information about the reserve and its natural features;
• Scientific dissemination on the area's biodiversity, with insights into the avifauna and flora present;
• Raising awareness of environmental issues through educational activities and conservation initiatives, promoting ecosystem protection;

05/03/2023 – 2023 Priolo, Italia

SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANT RISERVA NATURALE ORIENTATA EX SALINE DI PRIOLO

• Monitoring and analysis of avifauna and herpetofauna populations in areas designated for the development of the wind and photovoltaic park;
• Collection and interpretation of ecological data to assess the potential impact of infrastructure on the species present;
• Preparation of a preliminary environmental impact report (VINCA), providing recommendations for mitigating effects on biodiversity and preserving natural habitats;

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

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Native language: Italian

Other languages: ENGLISH B2

 

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

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10/02/2025 - Catania

PALAEONTOLOGICAL SEMINAR COURSES SAN & GEO:

Meraviglie insulari: Nanismo di mammiferi quaternari dell'area Iblea

     Gianmarco Minniti

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21/11/2024 – 23/11/2024 – Catania

INCONTRI DI GEOLOGIA IX EDIZIONE (SGI) Talk:

Portraits of an Ancient Sea: Paleoecology and Paleoclimate of the Pleistocene Marine Deposits in the Hyblean Area

Gianmarco Minniti, Antonietta Rosso, Agatino Reitano, Gianni Insacco & Rossana Sanfilippo

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05/06/2024 – 07/06/2024 – Pisa

PALEODAYS XXIV EDITION (SPI) Talk:

Delving into the Palaeontological Museum of Catania: the historical collections of Sicilian dwarf hippos

Gianmarco Minniti, Luca Bellucci, Antonietta Rosso & Rossana Sanfilippo

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03/19/2024 – 03/20/2024 – Los Angeles

PALEOANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEETING (PALEOS) Talk:

Incorporating Citizen Science in Archaeological Research. The case study of Early Occupation of Sicily (EOS) Project.

Ilaria Patania; Isaac Ramirez Ogloblin; Jaqueline Garnett; Peyton Carroll; Iris Querenet Onfroy De Breville; Sebastiano Di Mauro; Agatino Reitano; Gianni Insacco; Gianmarco Minniti; Christian Tryon

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21/09/2023 – 23/09/2023 – Aarhus, Denmark

ESHE (European Society for Human Evolution) XIII Edition Talk:

Linking old and new data to reconstruct and contextualize the earliest dispersal and occupation of Sicily.

Ilaria Patania, Isaac Ramirez Ogloblin, Peyton Carroll, Kristen Wroth, Iris Querenet Onfroy De Breville, Sara Zaia, Sebastiano Di Mauro, Gianmarco Minniti, Agatino Reitano, Gianni Insacco, and Christian Tryon

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06/06/2023 – 09/06/2023 – Lecce

PALEODAYS XXIII EDITION (SPI) Poster:

The Pleistocene malacological Collection of Catallarga (Sicily) in the museum of palaeontology (University of Catania)

Gianmarco Minniti, Agatino Reitano, Italo Di Geronimo, Antonietta Rosso & Rossana Sanfilippo

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06/06/2023 – 09/06/2023 – Lecce

PALEODAYS XXIII EDITION (SPI) Talk:

Biogenic content of surface cores from deep shelf bottoms close to the coralligenous off Marzamemi (SE Sicily, Ionian sea): preliminary data.

Antonietta Rosso, Rossana Sanfilippo, Gemma Donato, Francesco Sciuto, Francesco D’Alpa, Daniele Caccamo, Gianmarco Minniti, Valentina Alice Bracchi, Alessandra Savini, Elisa Malinverno, Adriano Guido, Pietro Bazzicalupo, Mauro Pietro Negri, Mara Cipriani, Riccardo Leonardi, Alfio Viola, DanielaBasso

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07/06/2022 – 10/06/2023 – Asti

PALEODAYS 2022 XXII EDITION (SPI) Talk:

The fossiliferous Plio-Pleistocene section of Baia Massolivieri (Siracusa, Eastern Sicily)

Gianmarco Minniti, Agatino Reitano, Gianni Insacco, Antonietta Rosso & Rossana Sanfilippo

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19/09/2022 – 21/09/2023 – Torino

GEOSCIENCES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE (SGI-SIMP) Talk:

The Plio-Pleistocene section of Baia Massolivieri (Syracuse, Eastern Sicily): palaeoclimatic and paleoenvironmental insights

Rossana Sanfilippo , Agatino Reitano , Gianni Insacco, Antonietta Rosso & Gianmarco Minniti