About me

Hi, I’m Paolo — a movement and behavioural ecologist with a passion for understanding the secrets behind animal movements.

I’m currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Swiss Ornithological Institute launching a global-scale project investigating the ecological, morphological, and phylogenetic drivers of natal dispersal patterns in birds.

I just left the BarnOwl lab at the University of Lausanne, where my colleagues and I harnessed high-resolution GPS and accelerometer data to explore the nocturnal behaviour of barn owls. Our research focused into how movement patterns, like foraging and prospecting, tie in with parental investment, fitness, and long-term behavioural trends.

I got my Ph.D. in Behavioural Ecology at the Animal Flight Lab (University of Haifa), where I investigated how environmental conditions influence the migratory routes and flight behaviours of large birds across the Mediterranean. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with international research groups and gain valuable insights at places like the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior.

Beyond my research, I’m deeply committed to advancing non-invasive monitoring techniques and improving conservation practices. Whether working with institutions like the Canadian Wildlife Service or contributing to projects that connect animal tracking with conservation outcomes.

Since November 2024, I’ve also had the honour of serving as an Associate Editor for the New Zealand Journal of Zoology, a role that keeps me closely connected to the evolving field of animal ecology and evolution in the global south.

For more details on my work and experience, feel free to check out my CV.