Maria Castrogiovanni
Tutor: Margherita Ferrante
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
01 August 2023 – ongoing
PhD Student in “Earth and Environmental Sciences” (39th Cycle)
University of Catania, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (DSBGA)
15 September 2023
Second-level University Master in “Consultant in Environmental and Forensic Sanitary Engineering (CISAF)”
University of Catania, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR)
Grade: 110/110 with honors
Thesis Title: Emission reduction and monitoring systems for atmospheric emissions to protect human and environmental health
11 December 2019
License to practice as a Biologist (Section A)
University of Catania
18 October 2018
Master's Degree in “Biodiversity and Environmental Quality” (LM-6)
University of Catania
Grade: 110/110 with honors
Thesis Title: Toxicity assessment of surface water basins in the Sicily Region
29 October 2015
Bachelor's Degree in “Biological Sciences” (Class 12)
University of Catania
Grade: 110/110
Thesis Title: Germplasm conservation in high-mountain plants of Mount Etna
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
16 January 2023 – 31 July 2023
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Title: "Valorization and evaluation of hygienic-sanitary quality data of water for experimental rural aquaculture"
Research Project: “Valorization of water resources for the optimization of aquaculture in lacustrine environments: implementation of a self-purifying intensive model for on-farm fattening in reservoirs (sAMpEI)”, funded by the Regional Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries - Measure 2.51 PO FEAMP 2014-2020
Academic Sector: 06/M1 “General and Applied Hygiene, Nursing Sciences and Medical Statistics”
Scientific-disciplinary sector: MED/42 “General and Applied Hygiene”
Host Institution: University of Catania, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", within the Interdepartmental Research Center for the implementation of physical, chemical and biological monitoring processes in bioremediation and aquaculture systems (CRIAB), supporting the Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA)
Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Margherita Ferrante
15 March 2022 – 15 December 2022
RESEARCH GRANT
Title: "Estimation of environmental exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics"
Research Project: “PLASTICROON - Study of the possible role of environmental microplastics in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and major depression”
Host Institution: University of Catania, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA)
Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Maria Fiore
25 June 2021 – 24 October 2021
RESEARCH GRANT
Title: "Definition of germination, propagation and cultivation protocols for target species, translocation interventions"
Research Project: “SiMaSeed - Protecting biodiversity in Sicily-Malta Natura 2000 sites through Seed Banks and population reinforcement”, INTERREG V-A Italy-Malta 2014-2020 Programme, Priority Axis III, Specific Objective 3.1
Host Institution: University of Catania, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (DSBGA), Plant Biology Section, ex Conservatorio delle Vergini al Borgo
Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Antonia Egidia Cristaudo
08 June 2020 – 07 May 2021
RESEARCH GRANT
Title: "Collection and treatment of seeds from target species of Sicilian flora and definition of germination and emergence protocols"
Project: SiMaSeed – INTERREG V-A Italy-Malta 2014-2020
Same Institution and Supervisor as above.
28 February 2019 – 27 February 2020
RESEARCH GRANT
Title: "Collection of seeds from target species of Sicilian flora and activities in the germplasm bank"
Project: SiMaSeed – INTERREG V-A Italy-Malta 2014-2020
Same Institution and Supervisor as above.
26 October 2018 – 16 January 2019
PART-TIME COLLABORATION
Dissemination activities on behalf of the Germplasm Bank for the University of Catania’s Orientation and Training Center (C.O.F.) within the University Museum System, held at the Botanical Garden of Catania during the event “Le vie dei tesori” and at the University’s Main Building during “Exhibition of Sicilian Knowledge and Wonders”
25 June 2018 – 24 October 2018
STUDENTSHIP
Title: "Biological, phytochemical and agronomic characterization of wild populations of the genus Bituminaria (Fabaceae)" within the project “Effects of environmental factors on the germination of Bituminaria species”
Host Institution: University of Catania, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences
Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Antonia Egidia Cristaudo
15 March 2018 – 31 October 2018
TUTORSHIP
Contract for tutoring and educational support activities for the course in “Botany”, BSc in Biological Sciences (University of Catania), academic year 2017/2018
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Best Poster Award at the International One Health Conference 2022 (Catania, 27–28 September 2022)
Poster Title: “Ecotoxicity analysis on the urban WWTPs water samples for the monitoring of wastewater quality released in sea water”
Authors: Paola Rapisarda, Antonio Cristaldi, Claudia Favara, Maria Fiore, Maria Castrogiovanni, Gea Oliveri Conti, Margherita Ferrante and Eloise Pulvirenti
CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS
Ferrante M, Castrogiovanni M, Rapisarda P, Abramo A, Leonard N & Oliveri Conti G. “Monitoring and assessment of environmental risks in coastal areas”. At the international conference MedLIFE – 2nd Mediterranean Life Sciences Union annual meeting. Naples (Italy), 9–11 December 2025. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Castrogiovanni M, Oliveri Conti G, Rapisarda P, Sica C, Favara C, Pulvirenti E, Pollina W.S.A., Ferrante M. “One Health and Urban Vulnerability: Assessing Environmental Exposures and Health Risks in Sicily.” Presented at the 4th International One Health Conference 2025, Rome, Italy, 30 September – 2 October 2025. (Oral presentation and abstract)
Ferrante M, Vecchio C, Rapisarda P, Castrogiovanni M, Fiore M, Oliveri Conti G. “Use of Artificial Intelligence in Perinatal Mental Health: A Systematic Review.” Presented at the 4th International One Health Conference 2025, Rome, Italy, 30 September – 2 October 2025. (Oral presentation and abstract)
Sica C, Inoubli S, Copat C, Favara C, Castrogiovanni M, Oliveri Conti G, Torres MD, Dominguez H, Ferrante M. “From Algae to Bioplastics: Sustainable PHB Production from Spirulina platensis.” Presented at the 4th International One Health Conference 2025, Rome, Italy, 30 September – 2 October 2025. (Oral presentation and abstract)
Castrogiovanni M, Oliveri Conti G, Rapisarda P, Pulvirenti E, Favara C, Cristaldi A, and Ferrante M. “Urban blue spaces and public health: impacts of algal blooms and benefits in the context of climate change”. At the 3nd International One Health Conference 2024. Athens (Greece), 15–17 October 2024. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Rapisarda P, Oliveri Conti G, Pulvirenti E, Castrogiovanni M, Favara C, Cristaldi A, and Ferrante M. “Study of the effects of climate change on emerging pollutants in drinking water – INTERACT Project”. At the 3nd International One Health Conference 2024. Athens (Greece), 15–17 October 2024. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Pulvirenti E, Oliveri Conti G, Rapisarda P, Castrogiovanni M, Favara C, Cristaldi A, and Ferrante M. “Water quality in the innovative aquaculture system”. At the 3nd International One Health Conference 2024. Athens (Greece), 15–17 October 2024. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Ferrante M, Magnano A, Judica A G, Ferracane C, Inserra G, Magro G, Salvatorelli L, Pulvirenti E, Rapisarda P, Castrogiovanni M, Bivona F, Timperanza C, Grasso A, Cristaldi A, Copat C, Oliveri Conti G and Fiore M. “Relationship between eating habits, Ulcerative Colitis and exposure to microplastics: case-control study preliminary results”. At the 3nd International One Health Conference 2024. Athens (Greece), 15–17 October 2024. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Rapisarda P, Pulvirenti E, Castrogiovanni M, Krikech I. Cappello T, Maisano M, Favara C, Cristaldi A, Oliveri Conti G and Ferrante M. “First evidence of Porifera absorption capacity in relation to microplastic contamination”. At the International Forum on Climate change in environmental pollutants: Main drivers of biodiversity decline. Sousse (Tunisia), 2–4 November 2023. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Pulvirenti E, Oliveri Conti G, Rapisarda P, Castrogiovanni M, Cristaldi A, Favara C, Falqui L and Ferrante M. “New prototypes to mitigate microplastics pollution in wastewater”. At the International Forum on Climate change in environmental pollutants: Main drivers of biodiversity decline. Sousse (Tunisia), 2–4 November 2023. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Pulvirenti E, Oliveri Conti G, Rapisarda P, Castrogiovanni M, Cristaldi A, Falqui L and Ferrante M. “Development of innovative prototype to reduce microplastics pollution in wastewater”. At the 2nd International One Health Conference 2023. Barcelona (Spain), 19–20 October 2023. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Favara C, Ferrante M, Fatuzzo P.M., Zanoli LM, Rapisarda P, Castrogiovanni M, Cristaldi A, Pulvirenti E, Bivona F, Lo Cicero L, Oliveri Conti G and Fiore M. “Microplastics exposure in dialysis patients: preliminary results of a case-control study”. At the 2nd International One Health Conference 2023. Barcelona (Spain), 19–20 October 2023. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Rapisarda P., Pulvirenti E., Castrogiovanni M., Krikech I., Cappello T., Maisano M., Favara C., Cristaldi A., Oliveri Conti G. & Ferrante M. “Capacità di assorbimento dei poriferi in relazione alla contaminazione da microplastiche”. At the SItI Conference “From the PNRR to vaccinations: old and new prevention strategies”. Messina–Taormina, 26–27 May 2023. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Pulvirenti E., Oliveri Conti G., Rapisarda P., Castrogiovanni M., Cristaldi A., Falqui L. & Ferrante M. "Sviluppo di un prototipo innovativo per ridurre l’inquinamento da microplastiche nelle acque reflue". At the 17th World Congress on Public Health. Rome, 2–6 May 2023. (Oral presentation and abstract).
Favara C., Oliveri Conti G., Pulvirenti E., Cristaldi A., Copat C., Grasso A., Rapisarda P., Castrogiovanni M., Scollo M., Falqui L. & Ferrante M. “The ShazzAn project for the One Health approach implementation through the biochemical decarbonization”. At the International One Health Conference 2022. Catania, 27–28 September 2022. (Abstract and poster).
Rapisarda P., Cristaldi A., Favara C., Fiore M., Castrogiovanni M., Oliveri Conti G., Ferrante M. & Pulvirenti E. “Ecotoxicity analysis on the urban WWTPs water samples for the monitoring of wastewater quality released in sea water”. At the International One Health Conference 2022. Catania, 27–28 September 2022. (Abstract and poster).
Carruggio, F., Castrogiovanni, M., Impelluso, C. & Cristaudo, A. (2019). "Warmer temperatures determine the germination window of Platanus orientalis L." In the Proceedings of the 114th Congress of the Italian Botanical Society – VI International Plant Science Conference (IPSC). Padua, 4–7 September 2019, p. 40. (Abstract and poster).
The research activity focuses on monitoring and assessing environmental exposure to air pollutants and high temperatures in urban contexts as a consequence of climate change, as well as on the related socio-territorial effects. Among the project's objectives are the estimation of the impact of these factors on the health of urban populations, with particular attention to socio-material vulnerabilities, and the evaluation of both direct and indirect potential co-benefits on lifestyles, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and mental health resulting from mitigation interventions.