The Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences - DISTAV - gathers Biologists and Geologists whose research and teaching activities span on a variety of fields of the geological, biological and environmental sciences.

Basic research: endogenous and exogenous evolution, and macro- to micro-scale quantitative modelling of the chemical, physical and structural properties of the Earth system; biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in terrestrial and marine ecosystems; molecular biology; animal and plant physiology; marine microbiology; comparative anatomy; biomedical sciences and research of new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical approaches deriving from bioresources, bio-medicine, circular economy, ecological restoration.

Interdisciplinary programs: monitoring, diagnostics and management of marine and terrestrial environments, combined with the production and management issues of the territory. Main themes: geomorphological, geo-hydrological and seismic risks; retrieval and diagnostics of geo-resources; thematic geological and biological cartography; development of green technologies for bio- and geo-remedy and environmental restoration; management of terrestrial and marine environments and applications in the fields of agri-food and the blue/green-economy; blue growth and marine spatial planning; study and use of biomaterials and biomolecules; enhancement and conservation of cultural heritage.

The above research programs are supported by competitive funding on national and European calls, from state and private bodies and represent the strengths of DISTAV.