Santa Olga Cacciola

Biography

Degree in Biological Sciences : 1.XII.1980, University of Catania, 110/110 and praise. 1982-1983: " Post-doctoral fellow" Institute of Biochemistry of the University of Bern, Switzerland with a scholarship - "Roche Foundation". 1984-1985: Post-doctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA with a scholarship from the National Institute of Health. 1987-1989: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, University of Bari. 1991-1997: Researcher in Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Catania. 1993: "Identification of Pythium & Phytophthora Species Course", International Mycological Institute, Bakeham Lane (UK). 1997; 1999-2001: Research activities at the Institute of Genetique and Microbiology, Paris-South University (France) in collaboration with the Proff. C. Scratch and MJ Daboussi. 1998-2008: Associate Professor of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Palermo. 2000: OECD / OECE scholarship, SCRI-UK. 2002-2004: Head of Bilateral Italy-GB. Title: "Effect of climate change on geographical distribution of Phytophthora and risk of subsequent damage to important Mediterranean ecosystems". Partner: Dr. D. Cooke of SCRI, Scotland. 2007-2011: Head of Bilateral Italy-Spain. Title: "Absorption of heavy metal ions by bio-resins of fungal origin in bioremediation of wastewaters and polluted soils". Partner: Dr. Irene Garcia-Fernandez, University of Sevilla-Spain. 1st March 2008: Associate Professor of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Catania. November 2011-: component of DiGeSA.   Affiliations with Scientific Societies: Italian Society of Plant Pathology, Mediterranean Phytopathological Union, American Phytopathological Society.   Teaching activity: For university students : Plant Pathology; Plant Biology, Medicinal herbs cultivation, Plant pathology Forestry, Agricultural microbiology. Experimental thesis supervisor. For doctoral students : seminars and doctoral thesis supervisor. Member of the College of Ph.D. Research Professors in " Eco-friendly Plant Protection Management in Agro-Forestry and Urban Environments ", University of Palermo and "Biotechnology", University of Catania. 

Research Interest

Study of the genetic variability of populations of phytopathogenic fungi with molecular methods. study of physiological alterations in citrus plants infected with dry matter. Development of Molecular Diagnosis Methods for the Identification of Phytophthora and Other Phytopathogenic Mushrooms Aggressive Ornamental and Forest Plants Use of fungal microorganisms in environmental bioregion strategies for the removal of heavy metals from polluted sites.