Dr. Giulia Ferrari, a researcher at the Applied Ecology unit of the Edmund Mach Foundation, has recently won first prize for the best scientific poster at the 23rd European Society for Vector Ecology Conference (ESOVE2024 ), held in Montpellier, France, from October 14 to 17, 2024.

Her study focuses on the eco-epidemiological relationships between hosts, vectors, and disease circulation in the context of climatic and anthropogenic changes. This work is an integral part of the BIOAlpEC project, coordinated by Dr. Francesca Cagnacci, which promotes interdisciplinary research on Alpine ecosystem diversity within Spoke 3 of the National Biodiversity Future Center.

After earning her Ph.D. at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Ferrari began studying the role of wild species in the spread of vector-borne diseases, with a particular focus on ticks. A recent article of hers, published in MicrobiologyOpen, highlights how host biodiversity can influence the circulation of tick-borne pathogens in different environments.

This recent recognition underscores the importance of research in vector ecology and zoonoses, contributing to a better understanding of eco-epidemiological dynamics in Alpine environments.