PhD student profile, Rida Ali

PhD Student: Rida Ali (ORCID n. 0009-0002-2936-4492)

 

Supervisor: Daniela Lupi

Co-tutor: Elena Sara Crotti

Dean: Prof. Diego Mora

Research area: Agri-Environment

Research topic: Insect sustainable management in agroecosystem: from pests to pollinators

 

Project Synopsis

This project aims to explore the effects of anthropogenic pressures, with a particular focus on chemical exposure, on pollinator behavior, survival, and overall health. The research will delve mainly on sublethal and chronic impacts of agrochemicals, as well as other stressors, on pollinators. Special attention will be given to understanding how these factors alter feeding behavior and resilience both under laboratory conditions and, when feasible, in the field. An integral part of the project will consist in the characterization of the insect gut microbiome and its variation considering the different environmental pressures.

The approach will be flexible, allowing to develop experiments and protocols to address key knowledge gaps. Potential areas of investigation include:

  • The effects of chemical mixtures on pollinator feeding behavior, resilience, and mortality.
  • The interplay between microbiome diversity and pollinator health under different environmental pressures.
  • Comparative responses across pollinator species, with consideration of species-specific traits.

While the primary focus is on laboratory experiments, field studies may be incorporated to connect findings to real-world contexts, such as pollination services and crop productivity. The broader aim is to generate knowledge that supports sustainable agricultural practices, enhances pollinator conservation, and promotes biodiversity.

 

Project Keywords

Pollinators, Environment, Survival, Microbiome

 

Contacts

Università degli Studi di Milano

DeFENS – Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences

Edificio 21030

Via Celoria, 2 – 20133, Milano

Phone: +39 0250316736

Email: rida.ali@unimi.it

 

Sponsor

Fellowship sponsor: Università degli Studi di Milano.

 

Publications

Hussain, M., Shoaib, A., Nisa, A. U., Aftab, M., & Ali, R. (2020). Aflatoxins levels in branded and non-branded corn from Lahore, Pakistan. Mycopath18, 7-10.

National and International Conferences Proceedings:

Patriarca, F., Holzer, E., Crotti, E., Mapelli, F., Basiglio, S., Ali, R., Casini, S., Sgolastra, F., Lupi D., (2024). Assessing the impact of boscalid and copper-based compounds on pollinators. EurBee 10th Congress of Apidology, Tallinn, Estonia.

Patriarca, F., Holzer, E., Crotti, E., Mapelli, F., Basiglio, S., Ali, R., Casini, S., Sgolastra, F., Lupi D., Cabiddu, L., (2024). Sublethal effects of agricultural chemicals on pollinators: Insights from the POLYPOLL Project. Proceedings of European PhD Network “Insect Science” XV Annual Meeting 13-15 November 2024, Firenze.

Basiglio, F. Patriarca, R. Ali, E. Holzer, S. Casini, F. Sgolastra, D. Lupi, F. Mapelli, E. Crotti – Assessing the impact of different chemical pollutants on the gut microbiome of different pollinator species. Proceedings of European PhD Network “Insect Science” XV Annual Meeting 13-15 November 2024, Firenze.

 

Others

Master’s Degree in “Plant Health in Sustainable Agriculture” from Dipartimento di Agronomia Animali Alimenti Risorse Naturali e Ambiente – DAFNAE, Universita degli studi di Padova, Italy – 2024.

Master’s Degree in “Plant Health in Sustainable Cropping Systems” from Instituto Agroforestal Mediterráneo – IAM, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain – 2023.

Bachelor of Science in “Agriculture (Plant Pathology)” from Institute of Agricultural Sciences – IAS, University of the Punjab, Pakistan – 2021.

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