Valerio Cristofori obtained the PhD (XVIII course, University of Tuscia) in Horticulture – Dissertation: “Qualitative traits of hazelnut”. Currently He is Associate Professor in Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences - Tuscia University. The research carried out is mainly focused on the evaluation of qualitative characteristics of nuts and fresh fruits as a function of genotype, orchard management and their interactions. As it regards the improvement of crop production, studies about the evaluation of the main parameters of the maturity process have been carried out as dynamic of dry weight accumulation, content of sugars, acids, lipids, fatty acids, starch, nitrogen, vitamins, polyphenols , and panel testing activities. Sensory analysis was also applied and the relationship between composition and scores of panel test were investigated. The characterization and evaluation of the main cultivars of hazelnut and chestnut included some aspects of interest for confectionary industry. Moreover, the effects of orchard management as orchard design, pruning and irrigation, on yield and quality of hazelnuts were taken into account in many projects. Other research activities consider the individuation, characterization and conservation of fruit tree germplasm, including minor species of nutraceutical interest. Another branch of research activity is focused on plant propagation by traditional methods and by in vitro technology, the induction of somatic embryogenesis from zygotic and somatic tissues, the physiology of rooting, the genetic improvement of fruit trees through conventional and biotechnology approaches (gene transformation, somaclonal variation). Concerning foreign work experiences He worked for one year in the Oregon State University (USA) in the "Breeding Program of European Hazelnut" and following many research activities as cultivar characterization, molecular characterization, fingerprinting activities and Markers Assisted Selection (RAPD, ISSR), microscopy fluorescence and controlled crossing of hazelnut. He has received invitation for cultural exchanges and conferences in many foreign research centers and academics involved in hazelnut researches (Inia - Carillanca, Chile; SAF Sichuan and Beijing, China; Ordu University, Turkey; Irta Reus-Constantì, Spain). The research activity is shown by more than 85 publications issued on international journals (traced on Scopus), in some book chapters and in many other publications in national journals and proceedings. Currently He is Principal Investigator of Local Unit in the European Project Horizon 2020 "Pantheon – Precision Farming of Hazelnut Orchards" (http://www.project-pantheon.eu/)and Principal Investigator of Local Unit in the Erasmus Plus Project "Examination of Modern and Traditional Application in Hazelnut Production" (http://www.hazelnuterasmusproject.com/en/about-the-project/summary.html).He participated on many national projects (PRIN, MIPAAF). He serves as referee of many International Journals and He is member of international and national societies of horticulture (ISHS; SOI; ANBM).

Dr. Andaç Kutay SAKA
E-mail: andacsaka@gmail.com
Address: Ordu University, Ordu, Türkiye