Marcello Mezzasalma | Zoology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Marcello Mezzasalma | Zoology | Best Researcher Award

Postdoc researcher at Universita’ della Calabria, Italy

Dr. Marcello Mezzasalma is a dedicated researcher with a background in zoology and biodiversity conservation. He obtained his Master’s degree and PhD in Advanced Biology from the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, where his research focused on the phylogeography and taxonomy of snake species. Dr. Mezzasalma has extensive experience as a postdoctoral researcher, including positions at the University of Calabria, the University of Porto, and the Natural History Museum in London. His research has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship for his project on chromosomal evolution in reptiles from Madagascar. Dr. Mezzasalma’s work has also been acknowledged with the Edises Award for the best PhD thesis in Advanced Biology and the Best Paper Award at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference for Environmental Integration. He is passionate about environmental research and is committed to understanding and preserving biodiversity. Dr. Mezzasalma’s research contributions have significantly advanced the field of zoology, and he continues to make valuable contributions to the scientific community.

Professional Profiles:

📚 Education:

Dr. Marcello Mezzasalma is an accomplished researcher with a deep-rooted passion for zoology and biodiversity. He obtained his Ph.D. in Advanced Biology from the University of Napoli Federico II, Italy, in 2014, with a thesis focusing on the phylogeography and taxonomy of certain snake species. His academic journey also includes a Master’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree in Scienze della Natura (Natural Sciences) from the same university, both achieved with top honors. Following his education, Dr. Mezzasalma embarked on a series of prestigious research positions. He served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Italy, from June 2022 to April 2024. Prior to this, he held a Postdoctoral Research position at the Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente (ICETA), University of Porto, Portugal, contributing to a project on the evolutionary patterns of frogs in Madagascar. Dr. Mezzasalma’s research has also been internationally recognized, as evidenced by his Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship at the Natural History Museum in London, UK, from 2018 to 2020. Here, he investigated the chromosomal evolution and biodiversity of reptiles in Madagascar. His commitment to biodiversity conservation extends beyond research, as he has also served as a zoological consultant for conservation projects in Italy. With a solid academic background and extensive research experience, Dr. Marcello Mezzasalma continues to make significant contributions to the field of zoology and biodiversity conservation.

🗣️Professional experience:

Dr. Marcello Mezzasalma has garnered a wealth of professional experience in the field of zoology and biodiversity. His most recent role, as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, Università della Calabria, Italy, from June 2022 to April 2024, focused on advancing research in these areas. Prior to this, he served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente (ICETA), University of Porto, Portugal, from October 2020 to August 2021, contributing to a project on the evolutionary patterns of frogs in Madagascar. Dr. Mezzasalma’s professional journey also includes a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship at the Natural History Museum in London, UK, from October 2018 to September 2020. Here, he delved into the chromosomal evolution and biodiversity of reptiles in Madagascar, showcasing his commitment to understanding and conserving biodiversity. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Mezzasalma has actively contributed to conservation efforts. He served as a zoological consultant for the “Sito di Importanza Comunitaria (S.I.C) IT8050010 Fasce litoranee a destra e a sinistra del Fiume Sele, Riserva naturale Foce Sele – Tanagro e Monti Eremita-Marzano” in 2015, highlighting his dedication to biodiversity conservation and protection.

🏆Awards:

Dr. Marcello Mezzasalma has been recognized for his outstanding contributions and research achievements with several grants and awards. Notably, he was awarded the prestigious “Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship” from 2018 to 2020 for his project “CHROMREP,” which focused on the chromosomal evolution and biodiversity of reptiles in Madagascar. This fellowship, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, provided €183,454.80 in support. In 2014, Dr. Mezzasalma received the Edises Award for the best PhD thesis in Advanced Biology at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. This recognition highlighted the quality and impact of his doctoral research. Additionally, he has been honored with the Best Paper Award in Track 3 (Ecotoxicology, Environmental Safety, and Bioremediation) at the 5th Euro-Mediterranean Conference for Environmental Integration (EMCEI), further underscoring his excellence in environmental research. Dr. Mezzasalma’s commitment to innovative projects has also been acknowledged, as evidenced by the “Green & Blue” award for the project “L’Insetto è servito” at the XV edition of Start Cup Calabria (SCC). These accolades reflect his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and making meaningful contributions to the field of zoology and biodiversity conservation.

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📚Publications :

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

Authors: C al.

Year: 2016

Citations: 111

A sisters’ story: comparative phylogeography and taxonomy of Hierophis viridiflavus and H. gemonensis (Serpentes, Colubridae)

Authors: M Mezzasalma, A Dall’Asta, A Loy, M Cheylan, P Lymberakis, MAL Zuffi

Year: 2015

Citations: 60

Molecular phylogeny, biogeography and chromosome evolution of Malagasy dwarf geckos of the genus Lygodactylus (Squamata, Gekkonidae)

Authors: M Mezzasalma, F Andreone, G Aprea, F Glaw, G Odierna, FM Guarino

Year: 2017

Citations: 30

Karyological characterization of the common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) provides insights on the evolution and diversification of sex chromosomes in Chamaeleonidae

Authors: M Sidhom, K Said, N Chatti, FM Guarino, G Odierna, A Petraccioli

Year: 2020

Citations: 29

Chromosome evolution in pseudoxyrhophiine snakes from Madagascar: a wide range of karyotypic variability

Authors: M Mezzasalma, F Andreone, WR Branch, F Glaw, FM Guarino, ZT Nagy

Year: 2014

Citations: 28

Age structure and growth in a population of Pelobates varaldii (Anura, Pelobatidae) from northwestern Morocco

Authors: FM Guarino, P de Pous, A Crottini, M Mezzasalma, F Andreone

Year: 2011

Citations: 28

Lizards as model organisms of sex chromosome evolution: What we really know from a systematic distribution of available data?

Authors: M Mezzasalma, FM Guarino, G Odierna

Year: 2021

Citations: 27

Karyological evidence for diversification of Italian slow worm populations (Squamata, Anguidae)

Authors: M Mezzasalma, FM Guarino, G Aprea, A Petraccioli, A Crottini, G Odierna

Year: 2013

Citations: 27

Changes in heterochromatin content and ancient chromosome fusion in the endemic Malagasy boid snakes Sanzinia and Acrantophis (Squamata: Serpentes)

Authors: M Mezzasalma, F Andreone, F Glaw, FM Guarino, G Odierna

Year: 2019

Citations: 25

Cold-blooded in the Ice Age:“refugia within refugia”, inter-and intraspecific biogeographic diversification of European whipsnakes (Squamata, Colubridae, Hierophis)

Authors: M Mezzasalma, M Di Febbraro, FM Guarino, G Odierna, D Russo

Year: 2018

Citations: 25

Isolation and characterization of interspersed repeated sequences in the common lizard, Zootoca vivipara, and their conservation in Squamata

Authors: A Petraccioli, FM Guarino, L Kupriyanova, M Mezzasalma, G Odierna

Year: 2019

Citations: 24

Non‐random accumulation of LINE1‐like sequences on differentiated snake W chromosomes

Authors: M Mezzasalma, V Visone, A Petraccioli, G Odierna, T Capriglione

Year: 2016

Citations: 24

Skeletochronology, age at maturity and cause of mortality of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta stranded along the beaches of Campania (south-western Italy, western …

Authors: FM Guarino, F Di Nocera, F Pollaro, G Galiero, D Iaccarino, D Iovino

Year: 2020

Citations: 23

Brain Gene Expression is Influenced by Incubation Temperature During Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) Development

Authors: MM Pallotta, M Turano, R Ronca, M Mezzasalma, A Petraccioli, G Odierna

Year: 2017

Citations: 23