He graduated in Biology (MSc) and in Biology of Algae (PhD) from the University of Naples “Federico II” and has been engaged in benthic ecological studies at Stazione Zoologica “A. Dohrn” in Naples. His research interests focus on temperate, tropical and polar diatom life histories, biology of other extremophiles and applications of this resaerch in nanotechnology, optoelectronics, photonics, biosensoring and bioinspired innovative materials and products. These research activities involve several collaborations with national and international scientific institutes, universities and private companies.