Light biologist, C-LED

Mattia Accorsi graduated from the Istituto Tecnico Agrario Scarebelli of Imola (BO). In 2008 he obtains the Bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Bologna with a specialization in plant physiology discussing a scientific experimental paper entitled “content of tocopherols and variations of polyamine levels in response to salt stress in different ecotypes of Chenopodium quinoa Willd”. In 2010 he obtained the Laurea Magistrale in Scienze e Tecnologie per l’Ambiente e il Territorio at the University of Bologna (110/110 cum laude), presenting a scientific paper entitled “Morphological and functional responses to water-salt stress in Chilean accessions of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd)”.

Thanks to her degree grade and to a scientific paper based on her master thesis, she won a PhD scholarship funded by the Ministry of Education at the Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna. Scientific and technological innovations obtained in the field of biological and agronomic sciences during his PhD allowed him to win a scholarship at the Department of Crop & Soil Environmental Sciences of Virginia Tech. He obtains the title of Ph.D. in Agro-Alimentary Sciences and Technologies in May 2014. In 2014 he carries out a researcher experience at BASF Agro, where he manages experimental field and laboratory trials in order to evaluate the efficacy of innovative chemical and natural substances on horticultural and cereal essences.

In December 2014 he starts collaborations between the University of Bologna and companies operating in the field of biology, agronomy and engineering aimed at developing technologies to raise plants in indoor and greenhouse conditions using automated fertigation and artificial lighting systems. Since 2014 he has been engaged in initiating and coordinating research and development projects to create innovative products in the indoor (plant-factory) and outdoor agriculture sectors such as greenhouses, sports fields, roofs and green walls. He realizes prototypes for the cultivation of plants in closed environments by means of prototype systems for the automated management of the microclimate and the manipulation of light in the spectrum and light intensity. The academic research activity carried out at the University of Bologna is also materialized in the realization of scientific papers such as articles, posters and patents presented at national and international conferences.