Full Professor

Cristiano Bertolucci (CB) is full professor of Zoology at the university of Ferrara. His research activity is mainly focused on the study of temporal organization of physiological and behavioural processes and, in particular, on the circadian timekeeping system of vertebrates. Using a multidisciplinary approach (from gene to behaviour) his research activity has allowed to achieve significant results for understanding of the evolution of biological clock. He also investigated behaviour and cognition in different fish species (zebrafish, medaka and guppy) and in zebrafish mutants.
For instance, the characterization of neurotrophin bdnf -/- mutant zebrafish displayed a set of deficits involving generation of circadian rhythmicity, behaviour (anxiety) and cognition (learning, executive functions), while null mutants for the glucocorticoid receptors showed the role of this steroid hormone on the regulation of stress behavior.
Furthermore, he explores the effect of environmental xenobiotics on the behavioural and cognitive performance in zebrafish. During his carrier, CB had the opportunity to participate to several national and international scientific networks. This networking has resulted in a set of common publications, and in some academic invitations in order to develop common research programs. His research activities are funded by MIUR (MIUR-DAAD Joint Mobility Program, Integrated Action Italy-Spain, Italian Antarctic Research Programme, PRIN) and EU (MSCA). Currently, CB
scientific accomplishments include 152 papers published in international peer-reviewed journals; he is first author (including equal contribution) in 20 papers as well as corresponding author in 18 papers, and last author in 46 papers.
He is also author of 4 book chapters, more then 100 proceedings of national and international congresses, and 8 popular books. His h-index is equal to 38 and the sum of citations of my papers is equal to 4887 from Google Scholar (dated on August 27, 2025).