Telefono: 0761357210

WORK EXPERIENCE

01/01/2004–Present Assistant professor
University of Tuscia, Viterbo (Italy)
Senior Researcher in General and Applied Microbiology Laboratory
Senior lecturer of the "General and Environmental Microbiology" and "Fermentation Biotechnology" courses

2014 Erasmus Lifelong Teaching programme (Visiting professor)
Department of Bioengineering, Hungarian University of Transylvania, Miercurea Ciuc (Romania)
Teaching "Applied Environmetal Microbiology" MSc Course within the Master in Sustainable Biotechnologies

2018 Erasmus Lifelong Teaching Programe (Visiting Professor)
Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Bucharest (Romania)
Teaching "Bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted soils"

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

2006 Visiting Researcher
Istituto dell'Agua, Granada (Spain)
2 months training on Bacterial and Fungal strains identification trough molecular methods. DNA sequences analysis (blast). Phylogenetic tree construction (Clustal W, Mega)

2000–2004 PhD in Food Biotechnology
University of Tuscia, Viterbo (Italy)
PhD thesis Title: Beta-glucan production from Botryosphaeria rhodina in bench-top Bioreactor.
Optimization of fermentation conditions in STR fermentors.

2004 Visiting researcher
DTU-Biocentrum, Lyngby (Denmark)
3 months training on Monitoring fungal morphology in fermentation (Supervisors J. Nielsen , G . Hofmann)

2002 Advanced Course in Microbial Physiology and Fermentation Technology
Technical University of Delft, Delft (The Netherland)

03/2000–08/2000 Leonardo Fellowship (EU programme)
Pfizer LtD. Bioprocess development Group, Sandwich (England)
6 months grant . Tasks: Analytical techniques: HPLC. Fermentation technology: Batch and Fed-batch fermentation. Culture development: Random mutagenesis

1994–1999 Master Degree in Biological Science
University of Tuscia, Viterbo (Italy)
Production of esopolysaccharides from filamentous fungi.

PERSONAL SKILLS

Mother tongue(s) Italian

Foreign language(s) UNDERSTANDING SPEAKING WRITING
Listening Reading Spoken interaction Spoken production
English C1 C2 B2 B2 B2
Hungarian B1 A2 B1 B2 A2
Levels: A1 and A2: Basic user - B1 and B2: Independent user - C1 and C2: Proficient user
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages


Communication skills Good communication skills gained through teaching and coordinating Bachelor, Master and PhD students, and through conference participation.

Organisational / managerial skills Experience of coordinating laboratories, in conducting research activities, in planning of experiments, interpreting results. Experience in coordinating bachelor, master and PhD students. Ability in establish scientific and international collaborations.

Job-related skills ? 15 years of experience in general microbiology (isolation, enrichment, screening, immobilization, mutant selection, molecular identification)
? Expertise in fermentation technology (batch, fed-batch, continuous), stirred tank- and air-lift reactors.
? Good knowledge and practice of molecular tools applied in microbiology (PCR, q-PCR, , DGGE, cloning, heterologous expression, DNA metabarcoding)
? DNA Sequences analysis, identification of bacterial and fungal strains by sequencing target genes, blasting, alignment ( Clustal W), phylogenetic tree (Mega)
? Functional and genomic characterization of microbial communities from environmental samples (contaminated sites, extreme environment, wastes)
? Valorisation of agro-industrial wastes by producing microbial metabolites (enzymes, polisaccharides, bio-active compounds)
? Good knolewdge of basic statistical and response surface modelling tools (ANOVA analysis, PCA, linear regression, etc.)
? Production and purification of microbial enzymes native and recombinant .

Digital skills SELF-ASSESSMENT
Information processing Communication Content creation Safety Problem-solving
Independent user Proficient user Proficient user Basic user Basic user
Digital skills - Self-assessment grid

Word, Power Point , Excel, Highly proficient
Modde, OrthoVenn, Sigma Stat, Sigma Plot, Mega, Clustalw , independent user

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Projects 2014: Short and long term effect of In Situ Chemical Oxidation on indigenous microflora in Hydrocarbon contaminated acquifer
2011: Scientific agreement with Research Centre for Agriculture”Air quality in outdoor wood chips storage site". (Coordinator)
2009-2011 Italy-Israel Partnership in the Environmental R&D sector “Bio-Ethanol Production from Mediterranean plants".
2006-2007 Italy-Spain Bilateral cooperation: Biodegradation of phenolic and/or recalcitrant compounds in industrial and agro-food wastes through marine bacteria.
2005 Scientific agreement with Monari Federzoni (Aromatic Vinegar) SpA, Modena, on the production and characterization of lyophilized starter for acetic fermentation.
2005-2008 Italian national project (MIUR) Valorization of de-bittering olive waste by recovering of Phenolic compounds and enzymes production.




Publications Crognale, S., Pesciaroli, L., Felli, M., Petruccioli, M., D'Annibale, A., Bresciani, A., & Peterson, S. W. Aspergillus olivimuriae sp. nov., a halotolerant species isolated from olive brine. International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology. (2019). DOI 10.1099/ijsem.0.003575
Crognale, S., Stazi, S. R., Firrincieli, A., Pesciaroli, L., Fedi, S., Petruccioli, M., & D'Annibale, A. (2019). Time-dependent changes in morpho-structural properties and relative abundances of contributors in Pleurotus ostreatus/Pseudomonas alcaliphila mixed biofilms. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10, 1819.
Crognale, S., Liuzzi, F., D'Annibale, A., de Bari, I., Petruccioli, M.Cynara cardunculus a novel substrate for solid-state production of Aspergillus tubingensis cellulases and sugar hydrolysates(2019) Biomass and Bioenergy, art. no. 105276, DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2019.105276
Cocarta, D.M., Dumitru, D.M., Pesciaroli, L., Felli, M., Raduly, B., Crognale, S. Cultivable Hydrocarbonoclastic Microbial Community from Historically Polluted Soil: Tests for Consortium Development(2019) Soil and Sediment Contamination, 28 (3), pp. 334-345. DOI: 10.1080/15320383.2019.1578335
García-Delgado, C., Eymar, E., Camacho-Arévalo, R., Petruccioli, M., Crognale, S., D'Annibale, A.Degradation of tetracyclines and sulfonamides by stevensite- and biochar-immobilized laccase systems and impact on residual antibiotic activity(2018) Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 93 (12), pp. 3394-3409. DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5697
Carota, E., Crognale, S., D'Annibale, A., Gallo, A.M., Stazi, S.R., Petruccioli, M. A sustainable use of Ricotta Cheese Whey for microbial biodiesel production (2017) Science of the Total Environment, 584-585, pp. 554-560.
Stazi, S.R., Moscatelli, M.C., Papp, R., Crognale, S., Grego, S., Martin, M., Marabottini, R. A Multi-biological Assay Approach to Assess Microbial Diversity in Arsenic (As) Contaminated Soils (2017) Geomicrobiology Journal, 34 (2), pp. 183-192.
Ráduly, B., Gyenge, L., Szilveszter, Sz., Kedves, A., Crognale, S. Treatment of corn ethanol distillery wastewater using two-stage anaerobic digestion (2016) Water Science and Technology, 74 (2), pp. 431-437.
Valeriani, F., Biagini, T., Giampaoli, S., Crognale, S., Santoni, D., Romano Spica, V. Draft genome sequence of tepidimonas taiwanensis strain VT154-175 (2016) Genome Announcements, 4 (5), art. no. e00942, .
Pari, L., Scarfone, A., Santangelo, E., Figorilli, S., Crognale, S., Petruccioli, M., Suardi, A., Gallucci, F., Barontini, M. Alternative storage systems of Arundo donax L. and characterization of the stored biomass (2015) Industrial Crops and Products, 75, pp. 59-65. Cited 3
Milanesi, C., Cresti, M., Costantini, L., Gallo, M., Gallo, G., Crognale, S., Faleri, C., Gradi, A., Franco, B. Spoilage of oat bran by sporogenic microorganisms revived from soil buried 4000 years ago in Iranian archaeological site (2015) International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 104, pp. 83-91.
Santi, G., Jiasiulewic J., Crognale S., D'annibale A., Petruccioli M., Moresi M. High solid loading in dilute acid hydrolysis of orange peel waste improves ethanol production thereof derived. Bioenergy Research (submitted)
Garcìa-Delgado C., D'Annibale A., Pesciaroli L., Yunta F., Crognale S., Petruccioli M., Eymar E., (2015)Implication of polluted soil biostimulation and bioaugmentation with spent mushroom substrate (Agaricus bisporus) on microbial community and polycyclic aromatic biodegradation Science of Total Environment 20-28
Gyenge L, Ráduly B., Crognale S., Stazi SR., Lányi Sz., Ábrahám B (2014) Biogas production from corn bioethanol whole stillage: evaluation of two different inocula Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, (in press)
Barontini, M., Crognale, S., Scarfone, A., Gallo, P., Gallucci, F., Petruccioli, M., Pesciaroli, L., Pari, L. Airborne fungi in biofuel wood chip storage sites (2014) International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 90, pp. 17-22.
Santi, G., Crognale, S., D'Annibale, A., Petruccioli, M., Ruzzi, M., Valentini, R., Moresi, M.Orange peel pretreatment in a novel lab-scale direct steam-injection apparatus for ethanol production(2014) Biomass and Bioenergy, 61, pp. 146-156.
Santi, G., D'Annibale, A., Eshel, A., Zilberstein, A., Crognale, S., Ruzzi, M., Valentini, R., Moresi, M., Petruccioli, M.Ethanol production from xerophilic and salt-resistant Tamarix jordanis biomass(2014) Biomass and Bioenergy, 61, pp. 73-81.
Gyenge, L., Ráduly, B., Crognale, S., Lányi, S., Ábrahám, B.Cultivating conditions optimization of the anaerobic digestion of corn ethanol distillery residuals using response surface methodology(2014) Central European Journal of Chemistry, 12 (8), pp. 868-876.
Luziatelli, F., Crognale, S., D'Annibale, A., Moresi, M., Petruccioli, M., Ruzzi, M.Screening, isolation, and characterization of glycosyl-hydrolase-producing fungi from desert halophyte plants (2014) International Microbiology, 17 (1), pp. 41-48.
Barghini, P., Moscatelli, D., Garzillo, A.M.V., Crognale, S., Fenice, M.High production of cold-tolerant chitinases on shrimp wastes in bench-top bioreactor by the Antarctic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium CCFEE 5003: Bioprocess optimization and characterization of two main enzymes(2013) Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 53 (5), pp. 331-338
Crognale, S., Máthé, I., Cardone, V., Stazi, S.R., Ráduly, B.Halobacterial Community Analysis of Mierlei Saline Lake in Transylvania (Romania)(2013) Geomicrobiology Journal, 30 (9), pp. 801-812
Santi, G., D'Annibale, A., Petruccioli, M., Crognale, S., Ruzzi, M., Valentini, R., Moresi, M.Development and testing of a novel lab-scale direct steam-injection apparatus to hydrolyse model and saline crop slurries.(2012) Journal of Biotechnology, 157 (4), pp. 590-597.
Crognale, S., Pesciaroli, L., Petruccioli, M., D'Annibale, A.Phenoloxidase-producing halotolerant fungi from olive brine wastewater(2012) Process Biochemistry, 47 (9), pp. 1433-1437
Juárez-Jiménez, B., Manzanera, M., Rodelas, B., Martínez-Toledo, M.V., Gonzalez-López, J., Crognale, S., Pesciaroli, C., Fenice, M.Metabolic characterization of a strain (BM90) of Delftia tsuruhatensis showing highly diversified capacity to degrade low molecular weight phenols (2010) Biodegradation, 21 (3), pp. 475-489
Brozzoli, V., Crognale, S., Sampedro, I., Federici, F., D'Annibale, A., Petruccioli, M.Assessment of olive-mill wastewater as a growth medium for lipase production by Candida cylindracea in bench-top reactor(2009) Bioresource Technology, 100 (13), pp. 3395-3402.
Juarez-Jimenez, B., Rodelas, B., Martinez-Toledo, M.V., Gonzalez-Lopez, J., Crognale, S., Gallo, A.M., Pesciaroli, C., Fenice, M.Production of chitinolytic enzymes by a strain (BM17) of Paenibacillus pabuli isolated from crab shells samples collected in the east sector of central Tyrrhenian Sea.(2008) International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 43 (1), pp. 27-31.
Crognale, S., Petruccioli, M., Fenice, M., Federici, F.Fed-batch gluconic acid production from Penicillium variabile P16 under different feeding strategies(2008) Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 42 (5), pp. 445-449
Crognale, S., Bruno, M., Moresi, M., Petruccioli, M.Enhanced production of ß-glucan from Botryosphaeria rhodina using emulsified media or fan impellers(2007) Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 41 (1-2), pp. 111-120.
Crognale, S., Bruno, M., Fidaleo, M., Moresi, M., Petruccioli, M.Production of ß-glucan and related glucan-hydrolases by Botryosphaeria rhodina(2007) Journal of Applied Microbiology, 102 (3), pp. 860-871
Crognale, S., Pulci, V., Brozzoli, V., Petruccioli, M., Federici, F.Expression of Penicillium variabile P16 glucose oxidase gene in Pichia pastoris and characterization of the recombinant enzyme(2006) Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 39 (6), pp. 1230-1235.
D'Annibale, A., Brozzoli, V., Crognale, S., Gallo, A.M., Federici, F., Petruccioli, M.Optimisation by response surface methodology of fungal lipase production on olive mill wastewater(2006) Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 81 (9), pp. 1586-
Crognale, S., D'Annibale, A., Federici, F., Fenice, M., Quaratino, D., Petruccioli, M.Olive oil mill wastewater valorisation by fungi(2006) Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 81 (9), pp. 1547-1555.
Selbmann, L., Crognale, S., Petruccioli, M.Beta-glucan production by Botryosphaeria rhodina in different bench-top bioreactors(2004) Journal of Applied Microbiology, 96 (5), pp. 1074-1081
Crognale, S., Federici, F., Petruccioli, M.ß-Glucan production by Botryosphaeria rhodina on undiluted olive-mill wastewaters(2003) Biotechnology Letters, 25 (23), pp. 2013-2015
Crognale, S., Federici, F., Petruccioli, M. Enhanced separation of filamentous fungi by ultrasonic field: Possible usage in repeated batch processes(2002) Journal of Biotechnology, 97 (2), pp. 191-197
Selbmann, L., Crognale, S., Petruccioli, M.Exopolysaccharide production from Sclerotium glucanicum NRRL 3006 and Botryosphaeria rhodina DABAC-P82 on raw and hydrolysed starchy materials(2002) Letters in Applied Microbiology, 34 (1), pp. 51-55.

Teaching portfolio TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Courses at Tuscia University
I have a diverse range of experience in teaching at different levels (Bachelor and Master) in the field of Microbiology. My teaching activities started more 15 years ago at Tuscia University (Viterbo, Italy) with practical Lab, and it has been extended first in General Microbiology and then in Applied Microbiology mainly in the Environmental Science. Here below a list of the courses where I have been docent at Tuscia University.
Period Course CFU Education level
2006-2008 Methodological Laboratory 4 Biological Science Bachelor
2008-2011 General Microbiology 5 Environmnetal Science Bachelor
2009-2011 Microbial Ecology 6 Nature Conservation Master
2012- now Fermentation Biotechnology 6 Biotechnology Bachelor
2016-now Microbial Biotechnology 6 Biotechnology Master
Guest lectures at foreign universities
Recently I consolidated my teaching skills through international experiences, which have given me the opportunity to teach in English.
2014-2016 Environmental Microbiology 3 Master 20 Sapientia Romania
2018 Bioremediation of polluted soils 1 Master 10 Politechmic University of Bucharest Romania
2014- 2016 I taught in Romania, under ERASMUS Lifelong Teaching Program, at Sapientia University and subsequently in the 2018-2019 I was invited again as Invited Professor for teaching in the same institution . In 2018 again with ERASMUS Lifelong Teaching Program I was guest lecturer at University of Bucharest.

Student guidance:
Bachelor students: 20 as main supervisor
Master students: 3 as main supervisor and 5 as co-supervisor
PhD students: 3 as principal supervisor and 2 (Polytechnic of Bucharest, Romania) as co-supervisor
Examinator /censor
I am regularly member of the examination team during Biotechnology BSc and Master Course oral presentation for graduating students, and I have been member of the assessment committee of PhD student at University of Tuscia.
Within the period 2011-2015 I was member of the Teaching Quality Committee (TQC) of the Bsc Biotechnology Course and from the last year I am member of TQC in Industrial Biotechnology master Course. TCQ has the role of evaluating student’s questionnaire and act corrective actions such as reduction on increase of teaching hours, program course adjustments.
TEACHING METHODOLOGY AND REFLECTION
In my 15 years of teaching experience, I learned that each student has a unique educational history, experiences and abilities and the docent should be able to catch and reach all members of the class, achieving their potential to be independent and stimulating their curiosity towards the subject.
In order to be clear as much possible, normally I try to use simple language guarantying terminology within the subject. I like to be not just informative but also impressive, trying to capture as much as possible the attention of the students. Generally I use simple examples to help the student to focusing on the theme and for better understanding biological mechanisms and functionality. Student’s facial expression and questions are useful feedback to advise me about the student’s understanding level and about what issues to delve into in more depth.
I believe that building competences within a subject requires active use of the tools, thus besides theory I include methodology approach to the theme and also research-based inquiry during which the students practice and explore their skills in this form of reasoning and develop a critical understanding of the scientific process.
Students generally consolidate the theoretic concepts taking active part in the learning trough practical exercises/lab/simulation which generally they find interesting. When this approach (lab training) is difficult to apply for the size of the class or for the typology of the subject, I like to use photos and videos.
I think that teaching is a flexible and adaptive process; courses should be adapted to meet current learning needs, responding to research improvements and student background change or, in some cases, to student desire and curiosity. Generally at the end of course I ask for feedback to modify the future courses.

EVALUATION
According to the Teaching evaluation system of University of Tuscia*, the level of satisfaction of student obtained for Courses where I have been docent has been good or excellent.
• In 2016 I asked to be evaluated as Associate Professor in Microbiology area by MIUR (Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research) and I obtained the National Scientific habilitation (ASN), which allow me to be an Associate Professor.

A.A. 2023/2024

DIBAF

BIOTECNOLOGIE (L-2)

BIOTECNOLOGIE INDUSTRIALI PER LA SALUTE E IL BENESSERE (LM-8)