Biography

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences and a Master’s in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Milan, where I gained valuable experience in both fieldwork and laboratory research. Two international internships—in Norway and Portugal—sparked a deep interest in ecotoxicology and led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Canada.

My doctoral research focuses on the interaction between mercury, a toxic and bioaccumulative metal, and selenium, an essential element that may play a protective role by reducing mercury toxicity. The project investigates how these two elements interact in different species and ecological contexts.

The first chapter explores oxidative stress and tissue damage caused by mercury and selenium in northern pike collected along various sections of the Saint-Maurice River. The second chapter addresses human health concerns by analyzing the presence and bioaccessibility of mercury-selenium nanoparticles in seal liver, a traditional food in Indigenous diets. The final chapter focuses on mapping mercury, selenium, and other heavy metals in different brain regions of polar bears, with the aim of identifying research gaps and contributing to the conservation of Arctic wildlife exposed to multiple environmental stressors.