Giovanni Forcina

My research focuses on investigating the extent and distribution of genetic variability along with the underlying mechanisms which produce and maintain such diversity as fundamental pieces of information for planning conservation strategies and/or sustainable use of biodiversity resources, be they represented by wildlife or domestic animals. My research aims at getting evolutionary information by means of different molecular tools within an integrated adaptive conservation framework. The common thread running through the individual projects I have participated in different research groups worldwide is using genomic tools to address risks posed to biodiversity by both short-term socio-economic and climate change factors, the latter notoriously exerting most of their detrimental effects in the long term, and the most often neglected impact of human activities (e.g., long-distance trade, farming, husbandry) which may play as additional leading drivers. 

I am now looking forward to conducting research bearing applicative potential not only for conservation purposes but also for animal production and husbandry. My current research aims at exploring the gut microbiota in livestock of relevant socio-economic and cultural interest and characterize unique genomic features in local breeds while disentangling the impact of environmental factors in a spatially explicit context. 

You can see my full publication record at ORCID and Google Scholar