BSc degree in Forest Science at University of Firenze (Italy, 1992). Research Associate at Istituto Sperimentale per la Selvicoltura (Italy, 1992). PhD in plant environmental biology at the University of Firenze (Italy, 1993-1995). Postdoc at Boyce Thompson at Cornell University (USA, 1995-1997). Lecturer, senior lecturer, reader, then Professor of Forest Science at Edinburgh University (UK, 1997-2016).

Ranked as a Highly Cited Researcher (top 1% by citations) in 2018 in the field of Plant & Animal Science by Clarivate Analytics.

Research interests

I work at the frontier between biological and environmental sciences, interfacing with global change. My major contributions to current debates have been in the study of forest dynamics, particularly carbon and water cycles. I worked in Boreal, temperate, tropical and Mediterranean forests in Europe, N and S America, Australia and Africa. I authored >180 peer-reviewed papers. I am very involved in international debates concerning how longer and more intense droughts, as a consequence of climate change, can accelerate tree mortality. I also work closely with the forestry sector on a range of themes including growth and carbon sequestration by forests using modelling, data assimilation and remote sensing. I supervised >40 scientists, of whom >20 are still active in science (in senior academic positions or universities). I advised the Kenyan government on ecosystem payment schemes. I spoke at several high-profile conferences.