PREATONI DAMIANO

Born in Bollate (Milan) on March 17, 1968, Damiano G. Preatoni earned his degree in Biological Sciences in 1994 and a PhD in Natural and Environmental Sciences in 2002 from the University of Milan. His academic career consolidated at the University of Insubria in Varese, where, after serving as a researcher and associate professor, he is currently a Full Professor of Zoology (Academic Discipline BIOS-03/A, formerly BIO/05). Since the beginning of his career, he has demonstrated a strong aptitude for integrating classical biological sciences with information technology, becoming a leading figure in the application of Data Science and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the study and conservation of biodiversity.

His teaching activity reflects this interdisciplinary approach: he is responsible for several courses in Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, such as "BioData Science", "Eco-ethology of Terrestrial Fauna", "GIS Applications for Biodiversity Monitoring", and "Natura 2000 Site Management", which aim to train students in the operational use of advanced tools for quantitative data analysis. Previously, he enriched the University’s educational offering with courses in "Geographical Information Systems", "Principles of Computer Programming", "Information Systems Applications for the Environment", and "CAD Design". His teaching activity also extends to higher education; for over twenty years, he has participated as a lecturer in the Inter-university First-level Master's in "Management and Conservation of the Environment and Wildlife" and, since 2019, has served as the Director of the First-level Master's in "Fauna and Human Dimension".

In terms of research, Prof. Preatoni primarily focuses on quantitative biogeography and wildlife conservation. His core expertise lies in the development, processing, and integration of Species Distribution Models (SDM). He has developed innovative methods for calculating and mapping species ranges and specific richness, which are essential for environmental planning. His research spans from the analysis of space and resource use to the evaluation of animal movement capabilities, with a particular focus on birds and mammals (including bats and large carnivores). A distinctive feature of his work is the use of frontier technologies: he is an expert in using advanced sensors, GPS telemetry, and radar systems for monitoring animal movements on both local and migratory scales. In recent years, he has successfully integrated Machine Learning techniques for the analysis of large bioacoustic and environmental datasets, strengthening the link between Information Technology and conservation biology.

His contribution to the scientific community is documented by over a hundred publications in international journals, contributions to edited volumes, and monographs. He has been the coordinator and scientific lead for numerous national and international research projects, collaborating with government agencies, national parks, and non-governmental organizations to draft wildlife management and monitoring plans. His experience extends to the management of invasive alien species—a critical issue for safeguarding contemporary ecosystems—and the assessment of the expansion potential of populations targeted for reintroduction.

Furthermore, Prof. Preatoni has played an active role in promoting Open Access scientific publishing. From 2005 until 2024, he actively promoted the development of Open Access scientific publications as the Technical Editor for Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy. Under his technical supervision, the journal achieved high international bibliometric impact standards (IF 4.333 in 2015), becoming a global reference point for theriology. In this capacity, he edited special issues dedicated to distribution modeling and contributed to the digitalization and modernization of peer-review processes. This dedication to the dissemination of scientific knowledge completes the profile of a scholar who combines field research with the power of computational analysis, with the constant goal of providing concrete solutions for global environmental challenges.