MICHELA TROGGIO

Research Activity

My research is currently focused on comparative genomics among sequenced plant genomes (apple, pear, peach, grape and strawberry), and on developing of innovative strategies and genomic tools for associating specific alleles with phenotypes of interest. I have been actively involved in the Rosaceae research community, where I have contributed to international efforts in sequencing the apple, pear and the strawberry genome and in developing high-density SNP arrays to genotype germplasm collections and breeding populations.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on the structure and organization of plant genomes and on developing genomic-based tools to facilitate traditional breeding programs for plant improvement. My main expertise is in the fields of genetic and physical mapping, QTL mapping, and association studies for allele mining for candidate genes of interest in trees based on mapping populations and germplasm collections.  

• Since 2006: Researcher at Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Italy
• 2003-2006: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Istituto Agrario San Michele all’Adige (IASMA), Trento, Italy. A.M.I.C.A Vitis project funded by the Provincia Autonoma di Trento
• 2001-2002: Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of California, Davis, CA, USA. “Conifer comparative mapping” project under the supervision of Prof. David B. Neale
• 1997-1999: PhD in Ecology, University of Parma, Italy. Thesis: “Investigation of ecologically relevant Quantitative Traits in Norway spruce using molecular markers”. (Supervisors: Prof. Paolo Menozzi, Dep. of Environmental Sciences - Dr. Thomas Kubisiak, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Gulfport, MS)
• 1995: MSc Degree in Biological Science, University of Parma, Italy. Thesis: “SCAR/STS markers and their applications to the study of the genetic structure of a Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) population” (Supervisor: Prof. Paolo Menozzi, Dep. of Environmental Sciences)