Project Leaders
Whale & Dolphin Research in the Ligurian Sea, Italy

Sabina Airoldi - Project director

Graduated in Natural Sciences, Sabina started to carry out research on cetaceans in 1987. She has worked on the Cetacean Sanctuary Research project since the beginning, in 1990, focusing her interest on the social and behavioural ecology of the Odontocetes living in the Western Ligurian Sea. She is experienced in the coordination of project personnel including field assistants and intern students. In addition to the scientific work she is also involved in public awareness activities. She is the coordinator of the Cetacean Sanctuary Research. Sabina speaks Italian and English.

Simone Panigada - Project scientific coordinator

PhD in Environmental Biology, he has collaborated with the Cetacean Sanctuary Research project since 1992, where since 1998 he has co-ordinated the radio tracking of fin whales in the Ligurian Sea. He has also participated in different research cruises in the Mediterranean Sea and in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. He is a member of the Board of the European Cetacean Society, the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee, and, together with Sabina Airoldi, is the scientific coordinator of the Cetacean Sanctuary Research.

Arianna Azzellino - Project scientific coordinator

PhD in Environmental Engineering and specialised in Multivariate Analyses, she has collaborated with the CSR since 1993. Her main topic of interest is the study of the driving factors affecting cetacean distribution and habitat selection in the Ligurian Sea Sanctuary.

Caterina Lanfredi - researcher

Master Sc. Degree in Marine Biology, she focused on cetacean habitat modeling in the Ligurian Sea Sanctuary. She started working with the Cetacean Sanctuary Research Project as a research assistant 8 years ago. In September 2004 she participated in the "Voyage of the Odyssey" by Ocean Alliance, during their permanence in the Sanctuary. Her main interests include cetacean ecology and behavior, in order to work on marine mammals conservation and management. She likes sailing and traveling. Caterina speaks Italian English and Spanish.

Veronica Littardi - researcher

She graduated in Natural Science and MSc in "Environmental communication", and has collaborated with the Cetacean Sanctuary Research project since 2004 as a researcher. She writes articles on different web sites and works as an environmental-hiking guide. Veronica loves diving. She speaks Italian, French and English.

Leire Armentia Lasuen - researcher

She graduated in Ocean Science and specialized in Alive Resources. She started collaborating with the Cetacean Sanctuary Research in 2006 as researcher. Fascinated by the Sea, Leire found Ambar Society in 2002 and she discovered the marine mammals in the Bay of Biscay. She is fascinated by big odontecetes, Genetics and Oceanography. She speaks Basque, Spanish, English and Italian.

Nino Pierantonio - researcher

He studies Environmental Sciences at the University of Venice, Italy. He entered the world of marine mammals in 2002, when he attended a University course. Since then, his interest in cetaceans and the threats affecting them has deepened. He is particularly fascinated by large cetaceans and has a special interest in primates. He likes statistics, jogging and cooking. Nino speaks Italian, English and French.

Vittorio Fadda - researcher

He has previously studied and worked on micromammals at the Milan Museum of Natural History and at CNR in Rome, Italy. Since 1996, he has been involved in the Cetacean Sanctuary Research project, where his patient and attentive attitude and his accurate work on the photo-identification of Risso's dolphins represent a precious contribution. Vittorio also loves bird watching, gardening and meteorology. He speaks Italian, English and a little French.