Filicudi WildLife Conservation

Monica Francesca Blasi

President

Graduated in Physics, she obtained a PhD in Biophysics and a II level University Master in "Conservation of Animal Biodiversity: protected areas and ecological networks" with a thesis on the interaction of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with the activities of fishing in the Aeolian Archipelago (2005; “La Sapienza” University of Rome). Currently PhD student in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at La Sapienza University with a project on the study of the diet of the Caretta caretta sea turtle in the Tyrrhenian Sea and on the accumulation of environmental contaminants due to the ingestion of microplastics. His professional experience includes operational, application and management skills in the fields of interest of conservation biology and ecology of marine environments, with particular regard to the study of cetaceans and sea turtles (use of space, movements, population dynamics, ecology behavioral, nutrition, health assessment). Expert in spatial analysis (distribution areas, ecological networks and corridors, models of use and selection of the habitat, models of environmental suitability), she also has an in-depth knowledge of the different techniques of molecular biology, advanced statistics and bioinformatics acquired with courses of specific training.

Chiara Anastasia Bruno

Intern Coordinator

Graduated in Marine Biology and Ecology with a thesis on the analysis of the parameters related to the reproduction of females of the Tursiops truncatus species in the Aeolian Archipelago and specializing in Biology and Ecology of the Coastal Marine Environment at the University of Messina. In 2011 participates in the volunteer project, recovery and rescue of sea turtles Caretta Caretta and monitoring of nesting sites at the Center for Recovery of Marine turtles Brancaleone (RC) .In 2012 participated as a volunteer at the project of protection and conservation of the marine resources of ' Aeolian Archipelago with particular regard to the populations of cetaceans and sea ​​turtles at the Filicudi WildLife Conservation Association. Since 2016 he has collaborated full time with the Association for all projects concerning the protection of cetaceans and sea turtles. During the summer, it organizes courses for university students on microplastics, organizes snorkeling and trekking activities and follows various environmental education and marine biology activities for children at the logistic headquarters of the association. Winner of the Ascobams ECS Student Award 2018. She is currently carrying out a master's thesis on the presence of microplastics and macroplastics in cloacal samples of the Caretta caretta sea ​​turtle species.

Valentina Caserta

Intern Coordinator

Master in Marine Biology at the University of Bologna in 2014, after graduation he deepened his knowledge in the field of marine mammals by taking part in several projects all over the world. He has studied many species of marine mammals, including seals, in the field, acquiring various techniques for the study of behavior and different types of research methods, such as photo identification. Lately, he also attended an MMO / PAM course to deepen his greatest passion: bioacoustics.