Micheletino is a veterinarian currently serving at the MilitaryVeterinary Center of Grosseto, an Italian Army unit, where military dogs and horsesare bred. He collaborates with the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions of the Federico II University in Naples. His research focuses on osteoarticular diseases of growing dogs.
Puppies’ growth period represents a critical phase of their life, during whichskeletal and joint pathologies frequently occur. Some of these pathologies, such as hipand elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), patellar luxation and asepticnecrosis of the femoral head, cause lameness that can seriously compromise thequality of life of the affected dogs and their physical performance. Early diagnosis iscrucial to prevent the worsening of those pathologies, i.e. degenerative joint disease, and to improve therapeutic chances. Studies on hereditary and/or congenital osteoarticular diseases and on puppies’ health consequences became a central topic inveterinary orthopaedics. However, the exact understanding on the environmental andnutritional factors, the severity, progression, and prevalence of these pathologies incanine population are still lacunose. This project aims to investigate these issuesfurther and to provide support for management and treatment strategies throughearly diagnosis using Diagnostic Imaging techniques.
Prof Leonardo Meomartino. Full professor of veterinary surgical clinic(MVET-05/A) teacher of Veterinary Radiology and Nuclear Medicine.
Valeria has a master’s Degree in Precision Livestock Farming (LM-86) at the University of Naples Federico II. Her research focus is the utilization of natural extracts to ameliorate health and wellness in animals in a One Health key.
The objective of the project proposal is to investigate the protective effects of a novel natural extract on the brain-gut-kidney axis during development of kidney diseases. The role of the extracts in reducing renal and brain damages will be evaluated through the changes in physiological parameters, gut microbiota, and protein and gene analysis in the targeted organs. Understanding the role of natural extract would be critical for managing kidney diseases and enhancing the quality of life for human and animal patients.
Prof.ssa Sara Damiano, Department of Veterinary Science and Animal production, University of Naples “Federico II”.
Sissy is a zootechnical, graduated in Sciences and technologies of animal productions at the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University “Federico II” of Naples, Italy.
My PhD project consists to formulate of technological feeds in order to improve the nutraceutical quality of milk and dairy products of dairy ruminants, giving importance to the environmental sustainability. These feeds and precision diet are important to develop biomolecules in milk and their precursor in the rumen. The aim of my PhD project will be the creation of technological feeds by exploiting the innovative technologies present in the company and the development of the artificial rumen to understand in vitro the digestibility of individual raw materials and new feeds useful for implementing the synthesis of biomolecules precursor and to reduce methane production at the rumen level.
Prof. Giuseppe Campanile, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University “Federico II” of Naples, Italy.
Bianca Cuccaro is a zootechnician currently associated with the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Naples. Her research focus is on infectious diseases of livestock and the application of in vitro models for the analysis for tumour development.
The increasing demand for sheep dairy products from organic farming systems highlights the need for mastitis prevention. This disease negatively impacts milk production and quality and poses potential risks to public health. It has been shown that the likelihood of dairy breeds to develop mastitis is also connected to their genetic susceptibility to pathogens. My project, focused on ovine mastitis, aims to identify genetic factors predisposing to mastitis and to correlate these factors with the severity of mammary lesions, contributing to improved animal health and welfare, food safety and livestock breeding environmental impact.
Prof. Brunella Restucci,
Section of Veterinary General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy,
GSD: 07/MVET-02, SSD: MVET-02/A,
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production
Prof. Sara Albarella,
Section of Livestock Systems,
Animal breeding and Genetics,
GSD 07/AGRI-09, SSD: AGRI-09/A,
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production
Federica is a manager in Precision Livestock Farming. She won a PhD program in Veterinary Science in the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University of Naples Federico II.
The growth of population especially in developing countries, together with the increased purchasing power, will lead to a greater demand for food resources in terms of both plant and animal. Since almost the entire land area in the world is already being exploited for livestock and agriculture, more food resources will have to be produced using the same production area. Therefore, precision livestock farming (PLF) is e new border to increase the efficiency of production, improve animal health and welfare and enhance sustainability. Furthermore, livestock are considered one of the main cause of environmental impact, for greenhouse gas emissions and manure management: in this view, PLF can be actually considered the most sustainable strategy that can be adopted. The aim of this PhD project is to increase the knowledge and the application of PLF techniques in ruminants, improving animal welfare, farm sustainability and production efficiency.
Prof. Gianluca Neglia, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
Biologist researcher at the Department of Animal Health of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy. My research focus is the study of viruses, viral infections and the development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies against viral disesase.
A significant antiviral activity against viral infections is demonstrated by natural molecules that can be both a possible alternative to conventional drug and a supplement that can support pharmacological therapy. Furthermore, new drug delivery systems by nanoparticles can improve bioavailability and targeted release of the antiviral molecules. The project aims to investigate, through in vitro studies and molecular biology techniques, the potential antiviral role of new natural organic molecules against infections caused by bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), a virus responsible for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), and to develop innovative and more efficient drug delivery systems.
Prof. Filomena Fiorito - Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production - University of Naples Federico II
Stefano Scarcelli is a PhD student of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University of Naples Federico II. He has a master's degree in Natural Sciences at University of Naples Federico II. His research is focused on the epidemiology and parasitic infections of main intestinal helminths of horses, anthelmintic treatment and evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy, management and helminth control practice in horse population.
This PhD project, in collaboration with Associazione Regionale Allevatori della Basilicata, investigates intestinal helminths in equids, due to their pathogenicity and increasing anthelmintic resistance. The project includes an epidemiological survey of helminth infections in grazing equids, the application of selective treatment protocol based on Faecal Egg Count and evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy through Faecal Egg Count Reduction Tests. The project aims to control helminths infection by pharmacological and farm management, reducing the risk of development of anthelmintic resistance and environmental contamination providing technical-scientific support, improving a rational anthelmintic use and equine health.
Prof Vincenzo Veneziano, DVM, PhD, Full Professor of Parasitic Diseases of Animals, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University of Naples “Federico II”
Alessio is a veterinarian currently associated with the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production at the University of Naples “Federico II”. His research focuses on the clinical nutrition in companion animals.
The research project aims to evaluate the efficacy of functional ingredients for dogs and cats. This evaluation will be carried out through in vitro and in vivo trials. In particular, the effects of potential supplements on the healthy status of adult animals will be evaluated by considering zootechnical parameters, clinical parameters and fecal parameters. An attempt will also be made to identify fecal indicators of inflammation, which may allow functional aspects to be assessed in relation to animal welfare. Once the products with the best characteristics have been identified, the possible efficacy of mixtures of products to enhance their beneficial effects will be evaluated.
Prof. Monica Isabella Cutrignelli, Full Professor of Animal Nutrition at the University of Naples Federico II
My name is Vitalia Cacace, I obtained the degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Naples Federico II, discussing a thesis on electrocardiography in dogs with heart disease. My focus research is the impact of overweight on canine cardiovascular function.
Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in the canine species and in recent years its incidence has grown progressively and significantly in Western country societies. This is a phenomenon that is somehow associated with the spread of overweight in people, with pets often sharing the same lifestyle as their owners and which has favored the perception of a unique problem according to a one-health approach. Furthermore, obesity is often associated to endocrine disorders in canine species. My PhD project seeks to investigate the impact of overweight on canine cardiovascular function, using instrumental tools, such as electrocardiography and echocardiography.
Prof. Diego Piantedosi, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II.
Barbara has a master’s degree in Sciences and Technologies of Animal productions at the University of Naples Federico II, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production. Her research focus on the quality of legume forage for ruminants, with the aim to identify plants resilient to climate change and limit the environmental impact in terms of methane production. Over the years she has been active the Feed Analysis Laboratory, acquiring specific skills in the in vitro evaluation of animal feed. She also He acted as a student representative and collaborated in management activities with the course coordinator
The legume forages are the main source of protein in ruminants’ diets. However, sometimes it is difficult to find the right preservation technique to maintain some peculiar characteristics of the forage (i.e., secondary compounds). These bioactive metabolites, such as tannins and polyphenols, could have beneficial effect for environment (reducing methane emission) and for consumers (improving the quality of products of animal origin). My idea of project is to find a conservation technique suitable for legume forages (e.g., example pelleting) that at the same time can reduces the environmental impact in terms of methane production. Moreover, the search for resilient plants that can resist climate change while maintaining their nutritional characteristics will also investigate.
Serena Calabrò MVD PhD Associate Professor in Animal Nutrition Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production (DMVPA) University of Napoli Federico II