Considerable progress has been made in characterising genomes, allowing comprehensive insights into patterns of genetic diversity in many organisms. However, the question of how genetics and environment interact to influence phenotype still remains challenging. Recent advances in DNA sequencing and phenotyping technologies, in concert with analysis of large datasets have spawned 'phenomics', the use of large scale approaches to study how genetic instructions from a single gene or the whole genome translate into the full set of phenotypic traits of an organism. Phenomics can be used across the full range of biological sciences, from cell culture studies in well-defined laboratory environments to populations of organisms under rapidly changing conditions. Advances in “omics” technologies, are providing the necessary tools to extensively phenotype increasingly large collections of individuals. The application and integration of these technologies in animal science will provide great opportunities to tackle biologically important questions (e.g. how to improve animal welfare, the environmental impact) at a whole new level. Indeed, these information could be used to develop precision livestock farming with the ultimate aim to offer a real-time monitoring and management system, solving in part problems of animal productions in high density populated regions, like Europe. The aim of the current project is to take advantage of the knowledge obtained by the University of Bologna in highly phenotyped pigs to better understand the factors, both genetic and non-genetic, that contribute to its variability. In the project, the use of mass spectrometry-based proteomics and metabolomics, will be the approach employed to provide new insights into the spectrum and structure of phenotypic diversity and the characteristics influencing the ability to accurately predict phenotypes. Indirect benefit for human health will be obtained by strengthening the pig as a biomedical model.

Securing access to raw materials is of particular concern for countries highly dependent on imports. This is the case of many EU States. Because of issues related to decreasing ore grades and scarcity of supply of primary metal forms, recycling of above-ground deposits of metal-bearing waste (or “in-use stock”) will become an increasingly important means of securing resources to provide essential building blocks to the European industry. Recycling of metal in-use stock has the further potential of avoiding consuming the large amounts of energy required in primary metal production, and of reducing related greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, however, because of metal losses during and after use, end-of-life recycling rates for many metals are often very low, so the potential for improving those recycling efficiencies is an important consideration for the achievement of a more resource efficient economy and sustainable development in Europe. This project proposes a comprehensive, exemplary research line that merges complementary drivers in the assessment of the metal-energy-climate change nexus for (i) estimating the size of current urban mines for selected, critical metals; (ii) assessing future opportunities and barriers to their recycling, and (iii) related potentials for carbon emissions reduction. The results of this project are expected to reach a wide impact in the research community and will timely inform an evidence base for future decision-making, and for enhancing the growth of European economy improving resource efficiency and recycling. While pursuing the objectives of this high-quality research proposal, the candidate will acquire new, desirable knowledge and competences that will open to him the best opportunities for achieving a leading position in research. A transfer of knowledge from the candidate to the host organisation will also contribute to implement a valuable, outstanding asset to UNIBO in the Industrial Ecology field.

The BIGAr project aims to innovate archaeological research methodology developing a digital application to integrate representation software (Building Informative Model -BIM- and Geographical Information System -GIS-) to document the 4D nature of archaeological evidence as well as their traditional information (i.e. text or photography). This approach can be quicker and more complete than others currently used; it allows a higher degree of collaboration via Web as well as it provides a new frontier for spatial analysis and management of Cultural Landscape. So far, in archaeology, the use of BIM is only applied to architectural analysis and never integrated with GIS. Thus, I will use innovative geospatial environment, developing a new digital workflow of integration GIS and BIM, for managing archaeological data, collected in field works as excavations and surveys. To achieve this target I will develop a dedicated application based on an original programming script, using open source software. Such a research will be possible merging competences and laboratories of the 3 involved Organizations: the University of Michigan (outgoing phase, supervisor Prof. Nicola Terrenato), the University of Minho (secondment, supervisor Prof. Miguel Azenha), and the University of Bologna (return phase, supervisor Prof. Andrea Augenti). The field data will come from two projects active in the area around two ancient capitals, Rome (Gabii Project, University of Michigan) and Ravenna (Ravenna Landscape Archaeological Project, University of Bologna). As part of the MSCA-IF-2020-GF action at the Universities of Michigan and Minho, two world leading institutions in this field, I will receive the necessary high-quality training, which will allow the continuation of a successful career in the field of archaeology and the development at Bologna University of this technology, that will be transferable to any other archaeological project in EU and beyond.

By investigating the development of services provided by women to cater the emotional and sexual needs of women in contemporary Japan, this project addresses the relationship and the tension between the possibility for self-expression, the role of intimacy, and its intersection with the neoliberal market from a feminist perspective. This project stands at the nexus between Japanese Studies and Gender Studies and it investigates to what extent the market for female/female commodified intimacy provides women with the chance to explore alternative ways to perform femininity outside a heteronormative frame. My contention is that occupations where female-born individuals provide emotional and/or sexual satisfaction to other women allow space for expressions of intimacy and gender performativity outside the binary male/female division for both clients and providers. When dating, meeting, or loving another woman within the frame of paid intimacy, both subjects escape the pressure generated by heteronormativity. Commodified forms of intimacy, I argue, allow women to challenge societal expectations about femininity, to obtain increased emotional satisfaction and freedom. By tackling these dimensions, I discuss the dissatisfaction of Japanese women with the dominant relational models (e.g. marriage) and provide a new understanding of the development of alternative relational models to the detriment of the traditional heteronormative family, framing these choices as a form of long-term resistance. The project fills a gap as the investigation of contexts where women are, at the same time, both clients and providers of commodified intimacy is still largely unexplored. In addition, instead of essentializing this phenomenon as a feature of Japan, this project – situated at the juncture of postindustrial consumerism and globalizing neoliberal reformation – and its findings can be applied to contemporary societies witnessing the ramifications of love on-demand.