Associate Professor, University of Bari, Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, Italy
Dr. Anna Maria Stellacci is an Associate Professor at the University of Bari “Aldo Moro” in the Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DISSPA). With extensive experience in agronomy and crop science, she has contributed significantly to advancing knowledge in soil management and sustainable agriculture. Her current role involves teaching, supervising PhD students, and engaging in high-impact research projects.
Profile
Scopus
Strengths for the Award
Anna Maria Stellacci has demonstrated exceptional contributions to the field of agronomy and crop science, particularly in the areas of advanced data analysis methods and sustainable use of natural resources. Her extensive research experience includes a significant body of work with 69 peer-reviewed publications and an H-index of 19, reflecting both the quality and impact of her research. Her selected publication on soil quality assessment using statistical approaches is noteworthy for its innovative methodology and relevance to sustainable agricultural practices. Stellacci’s leadership in various research projects, including the DESERT project funded by the European Commission, highlights her ability to secure substantial research grants and manage complex scientific initiatives.
Areas for Improvement
While Stellacci’s research is highly respected, one area for improvement could be increasing her visibility in interdisciplinary research. Expanding her work to integrate with other fields, such as environmental science and climate change, could further enhance the impact and applicability of her research findings. Additionally, further engagement with international collaborations could amplify her research’s global reach and influence.
Education 🎓
Dr. Stellacci earned her Ph.D. in Mediterranean Agronomy from the University of Bari in 2003. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences (summa cum laude) from the same institution and completed her high school education in classical studies at Liceo Classico “C. Sylos” in Bitonto.
Experience 💼
Since March 2017, Dr. Stellacci has been an Associate Professor at the University of Bari, focusing on agronomy and crop science. Prior to this, she worked as a researcher at CREA-AA from 2012 to 2017 and as a post-doc at the University of Bari from 2004 to 2012. She also gained international experience as a visiting scientist at Horticulture Research International in the UK in 2003.
Research Interests 🔬
Her research primarily revolves around the application of advanced data analysis methods to agricultural issues, including soil quality indices, hyperspectral data analysis, and innovative experimental designs. She is particularly interested in sustainable resource use and precision agriculture.
Awards 🏆
Dr. Stellacci has been recognized for her contributions to research and has received funding for significant projects, including the DESERT project funded by the European Commission. She has also been awarded the FFABR grant for her high scientific output.
Publications Top Notes 📚
Stellacci, A.M., et al. (2021). Assessment of soil quality under different soil management strategies: Combined use of statistical approaches to select the most informative soil physico-chemical indicators. Applied Sciences, 11(11), art. no. 5099.
Novielli P., et al. (2024). Climate Change and Soil Health: Explainable Artificial Intelligence Reveals Microbiome Response to Warming. Machine Learning and Knowledge Extraction, 6(3), 1564-1578.
Colovic, M., et al. (2024). Comparative Performance of Aerial RGB vs. Ground Hyperspectral Indices for Evaluating Water and Nitrogen Status in Sweet Maize. Agronomy, 14(3), 562.
Mzid, N., et al. (2023). Salinity Properties Retrieval from Sentinel2 Satellite Data and Machine Learning Algorithms. Agronomy, 13:716.
Colovic, M., et al. (2022). Hyperspectral Vegetation Indices to Assess Water and Nitrogen Status of Sweet Maize Crop. Agronomy, 12(9), 2181.
Conclusion
Anna Maria Stellacci is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her significant contributions to agronomy and crop science, evidenced by her robust publication record, impactful research projects, and leadership roles in academia. Addressing areas for interdisciplinary collaboration could further strengthen her research profile and expand her influence in related fields. Her dedication to advancing sustainable agricultural practices makes her a commendable choice for this prestigious award.