Sofia Contarini

Sofia Contarini is a marine biologist specializing in microbial ecology and molecular approaches to understanding how microorganisms drive key processes in aquatic environments. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Ferrara and later completed a Master’s degree in Marine Biology at the Università Politecnica delle Marche. During her Master’s program, she developed a broad and integrated background in molecular biology and microbiology, combining hands-on experimentation with analytical work to unravel the complexity of microbial ecosystems. During her MSc thesis, she investigated how the rapid transformation of Antarctic sea-ice environments influences virus–host interactions and reshapes microbial diversity, providing her with a solid foundation in environmental microbiology and ecosystem dynamics. 

In addition to her academic training, she also completed an Advanced Postgraduate Master’s focused on the characterization and remediation of contaminated sites, through which she strengthened her understanding of environmental risk assessment, contaminant behavior, sustainable remediation strategies, and geospatial tools for environmental monitoring. Her experience further includes marine species monitoring and the management of environmental datasets, alongside extensive laboratory work in microbial culturing, microscopy, and molecular analysis. As Doctoral Candidate 5, she will investigate innovative strategies to support microbial consortia involved in the biodegradation of micropollutants in wastewater. By designing and evaluating functionalized carriers that enhance nutrient delivery and biofilm development, her research aims to improve anaerobic degradation pathways and contribute to the development of more resilient and sustainable water-treatment technologies.