Dalila Crucitti

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Education

2021-2025: International phD in Biodiversity in Agriculture and Forestry (BAF) - Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences (SAAF) at University of Palermo

2009-2012: Master’s Degree in Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (LM-9) - Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at University of Parma

2011: Professional qualification of Agricultural Technician - National College of Agricultural Technicians and Graduate Agricultural Technicians

2006-2009: Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Production Technologies and Food Safety (L-38)- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at University of Parma

Career Profile and Experience

She is a scientist at the National Research Council (CNR) in Italy, with a background in microbiology and biotechnology for food safety, acquired during her studies at the University of Parma. In 2013, she broadened her professional experience by working at the Experimental Zoo-prophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS Sicilia) and the Italian Reference Centre for Anaplasma, Babesia, Rickettsia, and Theileria (C.R.A.Ba.R.T.), where she contributed to research and diagnostic activities.

In 2015, she joined the Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification (CREA-DC), collaborating first in Lodi and then in Milan. Her work focused on official seed certification and surveillance, as well as on the coordination of international seed trade and multiplication networks, in alignment with the guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Since 2018, at CNR, her research has focused on plant sciences, particularly on the molecular identification of plant pathogens, plant-pathogen interactions, and plant genotyping. As part of her international PhD program at the University of Palermo, she conducted research on plant-associated microbial communities, microbiome barcoding, microbial biodiversity, and the ecological drivers shaping plant endosphere.

She also undertook a research stay at the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology at the University of Seville, where she worked on the characterization of endophytic bacteria as potential biofertilizers and biocontrol agents, and investigated the role of microbial consortia in plant development under both abiotic stress and optimal conditions.

She has participated in numerous training courses, conferences, and seminars. She is the author of several peer-reviewed publications, serves as a reviewer for scientific journals, and has supervised undergraduate and graduate students.

Main Research Interest

• Plant microbiota
• Olive endophytes
• Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) Microorganisms
• Phytosanitary diagnosis of Mediterranean crops

Webpages and Publications

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1860-5983

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dalila-Crucitti

Selected Publications

(full list available at CNR People)

Smart selection of soil microbes for resilient and sustainable viticulture

Borghi M, Pacifico D, Crucitti D, Squartini A, Berger M, Gamboni M, Carimi F, Lehad A, Costa A, Gallusci P, Fernie A, Zottini M

Year: 2024