Degree in Biological Sciences in 2001
PhD in Cell Biology and Biotechnology in 2006

Research Interests

Chemical senses and neurobiology of fishes.
Effects of stress on alimentary and nervous systems of fishes.

Publications on cartilaginous fishes

Ferrando S, Bottaro M, Gallus L, Girosi L, Vacchi M, Tagliafierro G (2007) First detection of olfactory marker protein (OMP) immunoreactivity in the olfactory epithelium of a cartilaginous fish. Neuroscience Letters 413: 173-176.

Ferrando S, Bottaro M, Gallus L, Girosi L, Vacchi M, Tagliafierro G (2006) Na+/K+ATPase immunoreactivity in olfactory epithelium of small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758): possible presence of ion exchanging cells? The Journal of Fish Biology 69 sb: 278-282.

Ferrando S, Bottaro M, Gallus L, Girosi L, Vacchi M, Tagliafierro G (2006) Observations of crypt neuron-like cells in the olfactory epithelium of a cartilaginous fish. Neuroscience Letters 403: 280-282.

Bottaro M, Ferrando S, Gallus L, Girosi L, Vacchi M (2005) First record of albinism in the deep water shark Dalatias licha. JMBA2 Biodiversity Records http://www.mba.ac.uk/jmba/jmba2biodiversityrecords.php?5115

Bottaro M, Vacchi M, Atkinson C, Ferrando S, Ferrando T, Girosi L, Gallus L, Tagliafierro G (2005) The ampullae of Lorenzini in cartilaginous fishes: morphological and histochemical aspects. Biologia Marina Mediterranea, 12 (1): 654-655

Coference Presentations on cartilaginous fishes

Bottaro M, Ferrando S, Vacchi M, Gallus L, Girosi L, Tagliafierro G “First observation on the electrosensory and olfactory system in the basking shark” 10th Annual Science Conference European Elasmobranch Association, Hamburg, Germany,10-12th November 2006

Bottaro M, Ferrando S, Consalvo I, Vacchi M, Gallus L, Girosi L, Psomadakis PN, Atkinson CJL, Tagliafierro G “Electrosensory and olfactory system in Raja brachyura: possibile relations with an high specialised predatory capability?” 10th Annual Science Conference European Elasmobranch Association, Hamburg, Germany,10-12th November 2006

Ferrando S, Bottaro M, Gallus L, Girosi L, Vacchi M, Tagliafierro G, “ Elettrorecezione e olfatto nei pesci cartilaginei” 67° Congresso Nazionale Unione Zoologica Italiana, Napoli, 12-15 Settembre 2006

Ferrando S., Bottaro M., Gallus L., Girosi L, Parodi M., Tagliafierro G. “Cellular types and their renewal in the olfactory epithelium of Scyliorhinus canicula” Abstracts of National Congress of the Italian Society for Neuriscience and Joint Italian-Swedish Neuroscience Meeting, Lacco Ameno, Ischia, 1-4 Ottobre 2005. p. 450.

Bottaro M., Vacchi M., Ferrando S., Luchetti E., Atkinson C., Ferrando T., Tagliafierro G. “Preliminary data on the ampullary organs in the rabbit fish Chimera monstrosa (Linnaeus, 1758)” Abstracts of 8th Annual EEA (European Elasmobranch Association) meeting, London, UK, 21-24th October 2004

Gallus L., Ferrando S., Bottaro M., Ferrando T., Vacchi M., Tagliafierro G. “Digital 3D representation of the ampullae of Lorenzini in two mediterranean sharks, Etmopterus spinax and Heptranchias perlo.” Proceedings of the 20th National Conference of the Italian Society of Cytometry, p. 27, October 6-10, 2003, Spoleto.

Bottaro M., Vacchi M., Ferrando S., Ferrando T., Gallus L., Atkinson C., Grattarola C., Tagliafierro G. “Morhological observations on the ampullae of Lorenzini of the sharpnose sevengill shark Heptranchias perlo (Bonaterre, 1788)” Abstracts of 7th Annual EEA (European Elasmobranch Association) meeting, Repubblica di San Marino , 26-28th September 2003

Bottaro M., Ferrando S., Ferrando T., Gallus L., Vacchi M., Tagliaferro G. “Rappresentazione digitale 3D delle ampolle del Lorenzini nello squalo Heptranchias perlo” Riassunti dei Contributi Scientifici 64° Congresso Nazionale Unione Zoologica Italiana, p. 134, 21-25 Settembre 2003, Varese.

Gallus L., Pedemonte F., Ferrando S., Zanzi D., Minniti F., Tagliafierro G. “ Epoca di comparsa e distribuzione di immunoreattività ANF-simile nell’encefalo di Raja clavata” Riassunti dei Contributi Scientifici 64° Congresso Nazionale Unione Zoologica Italiana, p. 161, 21-25 Settembre 2003, Varese.

Pedemonte F., De Lorenzo S., Ferrando S., Gallus L., Tagliafierro G. “Ontogeny and distribution of ANF-like peptides in the brain of Raja clavata” Proceeding of the 30th national congress of the Italian Society of Histochemistry, p.12, 25-28 Maggio 2003, Rapallo, Italy.

Bottaro M., Ferrando S., Ferrando T., Gallus L., Vacchi M., Tagliafierro G. “3D representation of the ampullae of Lorenzini” Program and Abstract Book, Focus on Microscopy, p.10, April 13-16, 2003, Genova, Italy.

Ferrando S., Gallus L., Pedemonte F., De Lorenzo S., Zanzi D. and Tagliafierro G. “3D representation of two different peptidergic systems in the olfactory bulb and brain of Raja clavata from serial sections” Program and Abstract Book, Focus on Microscopy, p.41, April 13-16, 2003, Genova, Italy.

Tagliafierro G., Bruzzone F., Ferrando S., Minniti F., Pedemonte F., Zanzi D., Vallarino M. “Dati preliminari sulla distribuzione di immunoreattività FMRFamide-simile nel sistema nervoso centrale di embrioni e neonati di Raja clavata.” Abstracts of 63th UZI (Unione Zoologica Italiana) Congress, Rende (CS), Italy, 22-26th September 2002.

Bottaro M., Casazza S., Dalù M., Ferrando S., Grattarola C., Tagliafierro G., Vacchi M. "Morphology of ampullae of Lorenzini in selected Mediterranean skates". Abstracts of 6th Annual EEA (European Elasmobranch Association) meeting, Cardiff ,UK, 6-8th September 2002.