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People2025-03-05T17:21:47+01:00

How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.

ARTHUR C. CLARKE

A Bit About The Team

I started the Marine Symbiomes Research Group at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn – National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology, and Biotechnology in 2017.

We’re a curious and hardworking team, passionate about exploring marine symbioses in a fun and collaborative environment. We believe that everyone—regardless of age, career stage, or background—can bring valuable insights to our research. Science has no borders, and we love connecting with colleagues across Europe and beyond to tackle exciting questions together.

I’m always happy to hear from motivated students and postdocs who are interested in joining the group. Funding is limited, but keep an eye on this page and the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn website for job openings. If you’re thinking about applying, feel free to reach out first! I’m also happy to support candidates who want to develop and apply for their own research grants.

Meet The People

ulisse cardini

Ulisse Cardini

Principal Investigator

CV | Email | Bluesky

I love symbioses and the marine environment. I’m the guy that does his best to write good project proposals while keeping things light.

johanna berlinghof

Tamara Smith

PhD Student

Email

I study microbial interactions in seagrass ecosystems and their role in biogeochemical cycling and carbon dynamics. I also enjoy the sea, reading, and socializing.

johanna berlinghof

Elena Quintanilla

Postdoctoral Fellow

Email

As part of the ENGAGE project, I study microbiome dynamics in plant-invertebrate associations. I enjoy diving, dancing, and crafting nature-inspired jewelry.

luis montilla

Germán Zapata Hernández

Postdoctoral fellow

Email

I study benthic marine food webs and wildfire impacts. Experienced beekeeper working on climate change effects on Chilean beekeeping. I enjoy music, friends, and cold beers.

luigi gallucci

Maira Maselli

Postdoctoral Fellow

Email

I got into symbiosis through mixotrophy in planktonic protists and now study carbon and nitrogen fixation in coastal waters. Research taught me to think big while minding the details.

Alumni

luigi gallucci

Alice Blanckaert

Postdoctoral Fellow

Alice worked with us as a postdoc on climate-relevant gas fluxes. Last we checked, she was starting a new project at the CSM in Monaco.

johanna berlinghof

Johanna Berlinghof

PhD Student

Johanna did her PhD on the IMPULSE project between us and UniBremen. Last we checked, she was starting as Editor at Inter-Research.

luis montilla

Luis Miguel Montilla

PhD Student

Luis conducted his PHD working on the INBREATH project. Last we checked he was working on science communication at Crossref.

luigi gallucci

Luigi Gallucci

Master Student

Luigi joined us during his MSc in Marine Biology and Ecology. Last we checked, he was pursuing a PhD at the MMPI, Germany.

ugo marzocchi

Ugo Marzocchi

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ugo worked with us on several projects, mainly INBALANCE. He is now an Assistant Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark.

laura dennis

Laura Dennis

Intern

Laura joined us for an internship, assisting with field and lab work. Last we checked, she was completing the IMBRSea Master Program.

elisa guarcini

Elisa Guarcini

Bachelor Student

Elisa completed her BSc thesis with us, contributing to the INBREATH project. Last we checked, she was seeking MSc opportunities abroad.

friederike peiffer

Friederike Peiffer

Graduate Student

Fredi joined us to study microbe-host associations in the eMBraCE project. Last we checked, she was a Research Fellow at CIIMAR in Portugal.

Featured Publications

See some of our latest publications.

Ready to Talk?

Get in touch, or come say hello!

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