Ramon y Cajal Researcher
Valerio was born in Civitavecchia («old town») in Italy, where he earned his Bachelor and Master Degree in Marine Environmental Sciences (Tuscia University). He then moved to Spain, where he earned a second Master and PhD in Marine Science at the Institute of Marine Science of the Spanish National Research Council. After post-doctoral experiences in Germany and Italy, he moved back to the Institute of Marine Science, where he is now Ramon y Cajal (i.e., a tenure track position). Valerio is an integrative marine ecologist, with strong interest in interdisciplinary approaches and recreational fisheries.
Current Research:
The first one focuses on behavioural ecology and fisheries-induced changes of behavior. I aim to understand how animal behaviour affects fisheries and ecological processes, and vice versa, how fishing affects animal behaviour and thus ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Specifically, I am using spearfisher-fish behavioral interactions as a model system.
The second one focuses on integrating citizen science and digital data from social media into marine ecology and fisheries management. I aim to characterize fisheries from an ecological and social perspective using the emerging approaches of conservation culturomics and iEcology (use of digital data for studying human-nature interactions and ecological processes). Specifically, I am using marine recreational fisheries as a model system.
Research Interests:
Behavioral ecology; Recreational fisheries research; Conservation culturomics; iEcology