Prof Marianna Fasoli
About Me
For the past 15 years I have been studying the grapevine plant. After earning a Ph.D. in Applied Biotechnology in 2012, I joined the E. & J. Gallo Winery (USA) to continue my studies in an industrial setting, where I grew professionally to the role of Senior Manager and team leader in the Department of Winegrowing Research. I returned to the University of Verona in 2021, accepting a tenure track position in the field of Research Viticulture. Since October 2024 I have transitioned to the Associate Professor position.
Since graduate school, my research has focused on the molecular regulation of grape development and ripening, including the impact of environment, crop load and cultural practices on the biochemical pathways controlling berry quality. I have also investigated the mechanisms contributing to terroir expression and the aspect of inter and intra-vineyard variability and its impact on production standards. In my current academic role, I have expanded my effort to precision and molecular viticulture, and crop improvement.
I believe my background and skills are quite unique as they span from the knowledge of "traditional" viticulture to the investigation of the molecular mechanisms driving the plant responses - that we could define as "molecular viticulture".
As both the climate and the consumer demand are changing world-wide, also grape growing and the entire wine sector should follow and develop accordingly. The grape and wine research should support this change and provide solutions for a more sustainable viticulture and innovation across the whole grape-to-glass process. As member of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology, I will promote innovative and quality research that could be beneficial to the Australian and international winegrowing sector.
