International Horticultural Science

Alessandra Alario

Host Institution: Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU), Dominican Republic
Mobility period: luglio 2025 - novembre 2025
Supervisor: Prof. Ornella Francioso
Thesis title: Ethnobotanical Characterization of Annona squamosa L. and Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. in the community of Bayaguana, Dominican Republic: Traditinal Knowledge and Local Use Practices

Alessandra's story

I knew that two times a year the call “Thesis Abroad” would’ve been published, so I waited until it was the right time to participate. The first time I saw the call was on my institutional e-mail. I was so happy when I found out that I had been accepted! I found my host University on the very same call, although the previous project was over, I was able to find another one by connecting with them directly. A comprehensive quantitative analysis using different Ethnobotanical Indices was conducted, along with statistical correlation tests, to analyze open and closed responses of several interviews. Questions wondered about the knowledge, traditional uses and conservation practices of the plants A. squamosa and G. ulmifolia. […] The Ethnobotanical characterization aims at collocating the local knowledge of these plants into an international contest, while the descriptive and inferential statistics allowed to catch a glimpse of the traditional uses and cultural practice connected to these plants. I have analyzed data from 48 interviews. My job comprehended the codification of the data on Excel and the creation of a general codebook. After which I started analyzing the collected data through both descriptive and inferential statistics on the software R studio. I have then performed a literature review about the ethnobotanical characterization of different species around the world and identify the most suited Ethnobotanical indices and apply them. This experience changed my life. It was amazing flying to the other part of the world and confront myself with completely different cultures. For sure now I know how to use R like a pro, but the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been and the experiences I’ve lived are much more valuable to me than anything! I would do it again, because I feel like I’m a different person now and I grew a lot. […] I think that the only thing that shall be improved is the scholarship. My destination wasn’t cheap and the majority of the money from the call were used for the flight’s tickets. […]

Hamayun Shabir

Host Institution: UCDavis University of California Davis, United States
Mobility Period: May 2025 - October 2025
Supervisor: Prof. Francesco Orsini
Thesis Title: Optimizing Fertilizer Management, Abiotic Stresses and Enhancing Tomato Yield in Soilless Cultivation through Biostimulant Application within the Water-Food-Energy Nexus

Hamayun's Story

I have been always keen about finding opportunities so after I was in 1st semester, I was always checking IMAHS website for such kind of opportunities so this is where I discovered it and also then via emails it kept me reminding of the opportunity abroad. Choosing University of California, Davis - the name itself defines its excellence in agricultural sciences - which always kept me motivated to do my research thesis at such prestigious university. I started my research as soon as I arrived the facilities were amazing and the research quality is great, rather than this I was always involved with other scholars meeting. […] [Ed. note: The student did not provide the Abstract when submitting the final report] I feel that this mobility gave me a whole lot experience of being at World class University doing research there learning how to do it, like designing trials, data collection and analysing it, rather than this being in a diverse culture further enhanced my public dealing skills and overall development. If I am given one more chance to do it, I will not think twice I will always love doing such activities that develop you not only academically but personally also, getting in touch with global students and professors is indeed a worth experience, for me being in a place to learn always new things and develop connections I would prefer again going, all the things are perfectly managed by the University of Bologna in terms of process, selection start and end, but what I feel is there should be increase in the monetary value to help more students.

Andrei Pasquali

Host Institution: Sun'Agri, France
Mobility Period: May 2023 - July 2023
Supervisor: Prof. Brunella Morandi
Thesis Title: Assessment of the Ecophysiological and productive performance of fruit tree orchards under dynamic agrivoltaic systems

Andrei's Story

I was informed by Professor Brunella Morandi about the possibility of project in France in a company that deals with research in the agrivoltaic sector. Coming to know about this call, through the university website. […] Sun’agri of Montpellier has a consolidated relationship of collaboration with the University of Bologna. This has made it possible to simplify contacts with the company. […] Several activities were carried out during the mobility period: the use of fruit gauges for the fruit growth monitoring, the measurement of water potential using a pressure chamber, the measurement of specific leaf area with a leaf area meter, the installation of thermocouples for temperature monitoring for fruits and leaves and the use of an infrared camera for organs temperature monitoring. […] Furthermore, among the activities carried out, I would like to mention the learning of protocol drafting techniques for the field activities, in order to determine the most interesting variable for that specific study. The organizational aspect allowed me, among other things, to learn the use of a specific software (Git lab) which allows online sharing of files and to have the possibility to organize all the other activities. […] I consider this the most formative and the most useful experience, as it allowed me to leave the classic university canon, and enter the hearth of a corporative reality, particularly in a foreign country. I believe that facing this type of experience has allowed me to grow professionally, but also from a more personal point of view. In conclusion, I recommend this experience as it allows us students to improve the curriculum, and also to take advantage of us for the future world of work.