Full Professor of Plant Pathology at Padova University since 2011; he was also a teacher at University of Udine and Verona. Research interest on molecular plant pathology, etiology of plant diseases and plant protection with natural molecules or their derivatives. He worked mostly on mechanisms of pathogenicity and on plant responses involving rot fungi (Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) and fungal pathogens of cereals (Fusarium graminearum and F. verticillioides.). On these topics, he cooperated also with scientists from Germany (Hamburg University), Brazil (Universidade de Caxias do Sul) and France (Universitè Lyon 1).

Plant pathogens
fungal pathogenesis
resistance to plant diseases
natural compounds
plant protection from diseases