Fabio Palmieri
Research interests
My research interests are in the field of microbial ecology. I am interested in the interactions between microorganisms and their environment and with each other. I am fascinated by the adaptations microorganisms developed to survive in their natural environment and their impact on ecosystem functioning. For my Master project, I was interested in studying the diversity of extremophilic microorganisms in volcanic environments. Volcanic sites are, up to date, some of the most impressive sites in which microbial life thrives and are characterized by several extreme environmental conditions: high temperatures, highly acidic pH and high pressure. The aim of my study is to analyze the microbial diversity in this environment, particularly along a thermal gradient. I will assess both the culturable and un-culturable fractions of the community using isolation technique as well as molecular ecology approaches. I will also contribute to evaluate the role of endospore-formation as a survival strategy to the changing environmental conditions in volcanic habitats.
Education
April 2015 – present Master thesis, Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel. “Diversity of extremophilic microorganisms in volcanic environments” Supervision: Prof. Pilar Junier, Sevasti Filippidou.
Jan. – Feb. 2015 Internship, Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology (LBE), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). “Effect of the molecular chaperone PceT on the heterologous production of the reductive dehalogenase PceA”. Supervisor: Dr. Julien Maillard.
Sept. – Dec. 2014 Internship, Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel. Internship project within the project BIOPATINA. Supervisors: Prof. Pilar Junier, Dr. Edith Joseph.
April – May 2014 Problem-based learning in forensic ecology, Laboratory of Soil Biology, University of Neuchâtel. “Effects of mice cadavers decomposition on the composition of testate amoebae communities".
March – April 2014 Problem-based learning in parasitology, Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Neuchâtel. “Effects of the infection of Vavraia culicis on the physiological parameters of Aedes aegypti”.
Feb. – March 2014 Problem-based learning in microbiology, Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel. “BIOPATINA: Use of the fungus Beauveria bassiana as an alternative biological treatment for conservation and restauration of copper alloys artefacts”.
Teaching activities
- Sept. – Oct. 2015 Student-Assistant for the practicals in molecular biology for the 3rd year biology students.
- Sept. – Oct. 2014 Student-Assistant for the practicals in molecular biology for the 3rd year biology students.
Publications
