Prof. Dr. Ferdinando Branca | Urban Agriculture | Research Excellence Award

Full Professor | University of Catania | Italy

Ferdinando Branca is a senior researcher and academic specializing in horticultural science, plant genetics, and sustainable agriculture, with a strong focus on vegetable crop improvement and agrobiodiversity conservation. His research centers on Brassica crops, plant stress physiology, bioactive compounds, and the development of resilient, high-quality cultivars under Mediterranean and climate-stressed environments, integrating molecular markers, phenotyping, and sustainable production systems. He has held long-term academic positions at the University of Catania, progressing through research and professorial roles and currently serving as a Full Professor in agricultural and environmental sciences. His key contributions include advances in Brassica germplasm characterization, identification of stress- and disease-resistance traits, and innovations in sustainable and organic horticultural practices with relevance to breeding and policy-oriented agrobiodiversity management. His impact vision emphasizes translating plant genetic research into sustainable food systems, supporting climate adaptation, biodiversity preservation, and global innovation in horticulture and crop resilience.

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