Overview
PhD Course in Animal and Food Science
The Ph.D. Course "Animal and Food Science" is offered by the University of Padova, one of the best academic research institutions in Italy. The University is located in the Veneto region, well known for its animal production and food industry, which provides high-quality Italian gastronomic products and wines.
The Ph.D. school offers excellent and stimulating working conditions and international collaborations. Thanks to its interdisciplinary core, the Ph.D. school proposes research projects in different fields spacing from animal and plant genetics to animal sciences and technologies, food sciences and technologies, agricultural microbiology, agricultural chemistry. The Educational Offer includes specific training activities as well as subjects as Scientific Writing in English, Statistics, IPR and IPR exploitation, Ethics in scientific research, and various fields of scientific communication: students are trained to solve complex problems and to use the most advanced technologies.
The Ph.D. school has strong cooperations with several Universities across the world, Italian and European organizations, private companies, and public institutions that allow joint research activities and internships in national and international projects. Internships abroad are strongly encouraged.
Graduated Ph.D. students will use their scientific approach in data management and analysis as well as in automated systems for achieving different objectives like the improvement of genetic traits, feeding and rearing practices of farm animals, increasing the value of farm produce and product quality, implementation of sustainable practices, protection of animal welfare and biodiversity. They will be able to undertake positions concerned with technical-scientific management and coordination, research and development, innovation, and applied research in private companies, public institutions, and Universities.
The Ph.D. school offers excellent and stimulating working conditions and international collaborations. Thanks to its interdisciplinary core, the Ph.D. school proposes research projects in different fields spacing from animal and plant genetics to animal sciences and technologies, food sciences and technologies, agricultural microbiology, agricultural chemistry. The Educational Offer includes specific training activities as well as subjects as Scientific Writing in English, Statistics, IPR and IPR exploitation, Ethics in scientific research, and various fields of scientific communication: students are trained to solve complex problems and to use the most advanced technologies.
The Ph.D. school has strong cooperations with several Universities across the world, Italian and European organizations, private companies, and public institutions that allow joint research activities and internships in national and international projects. Internships abroad are strongly encouraged.
Graduated Ph.D. students will use their scientific approach in data management and analysis as well as in automated systems for achieving different objectives like the improvement of genetic traits, feeding and rearing practices of farm animals, increasing the value of farm produce and product quality, implementation of sustainable practices, protection of animal welfare and biodiversity. They will be able to undertake positions concerned with technical-scientific management and coordination, research and development, innovation, and applied research in private companies, public institutions, and Universities.
Animal Science Research Area
Animal Sciences research groups work on genetic improvement, nutrition, management, health, and welfare of domestic and wild animals. The research aims to implement production processes, increase food quality, and the environmental sustainability of animal farming.
Main research topics:
Main research topics:
- Biostatistics and modeling for selection and crossbreeding of domestic animal populations
- Biotechnologies applied to genetic improvement
- Biodiversity protection, traceability of products
- Animal feeding and nutrition, economic and environmental sustainability of animal production systems
- Ethology and animal welfare, livestock and pet-animals; Milk quality, cheese-making, and cheese quality
- Meat quality and nutritional value, high quality and high price processed meat and sausage
- Sustainable animal production systems
- Quality of products of animal origin
Food Science Research Area
Food Sciences research teams work on food safety, nutraceutical, novel food production, valorization of traditional food products. Moreover, great attention is given to the global impact of food production and in terms of environmental protection, production sustainability, by-product valorization, and consumer perception.
Main research topics:
Main research topics:
- Food quality and technology
- Optimization of food manufacturing
- Novel and functional food
- Food industry by-products
- Food enzymology
- Biochemistry of food processing
- Food sensory quality
- Meal preparation and distribution
- Food safety and food service
- Wine, alcoholic beverages, and distillates technology and quality
Agricultural Chemistry Research Area
The Agricultural Chemistry research teams aim to enhance and protect the agro-biodiversity as well as to promote sustainable rural practices. The soil-water-plant-atmosphere system is evaluated in its chemical, biochemical, physiological, genetic, molecular, biotechnological, pedological, and ecological aspects.
Main research topics include:
Main research topics include:
- Conservation, improvement, and restoration of soil fertility
- Use and recycling of biomass
- Accumulation, mobilization, and absorption of endogenous and exogenous chemical species
- Structure, function, expression, and regulation of genes and genomes
- Plant adaptation to abiotic stress at the molecular level
- Heredity in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms of agricultural interest
- Genetic improvement of species of agricultural and forestry interest
- Soil systems
- Biostimulants for agriculture