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Biography
Dr. Maurizio PROSPERI is an agricultural economist, graduated in 1994 at the University of Bologna, in agricultural sciences. His scientific background includes basic knowledge in chemistry, botany, microbiology, and economics, which are relevant to allow him an interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching.
After 3 years of internship at the University of Bologna, as research assistant at theDepartment of Economics and Agricultural Engineering, he won a scholarship provided by the bilateral agreeement between the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Japanese Ministry of Education (former MONBUSHO). Therefore, he was enrolled at the Kyoto University, Dep. of Natural Resource Economics, Kyoto (Japan). Kyoto University is a very distinguished institution, with very high standards in research and education. During his staying in Japan, Dr. Prosperi achieved Master degree in 2001, and PhD degree in 2005, in agricultural sciences, with dissertation thesis in agricultural economics and policy, under the supervision of Prof. Masaru KAGATSUME. He received an award issued by The Association for Regional Agricultural and Forestry Economics, as a best article published in 2004, titled “Comparative Analysis of the CAP Reform Impacts in Diversified Agricultural Systems: A Neural Network Application” (Journal of Rural Problems, pagg.315-327, The Association for Regional Agricultural and Forestry Economics, pagg.315-327, Vol. 40, n.3 (ISBN 4-8122-0329-5), Kyoto, Japan, 2004).
After his experience in Japan, in 2004 he was enrolled by the University of Foggia as research fellow, and in 2005 he achieved the permanent position as research assistant.
Since the University of Foggia – Faculty of Agriculture, was very young (founded in 1999), Dr. Prosperi was recruited with the purpose of reinforcing the agricultural economic group, formed by 8 permanent staff (2 full professors, 1 associate professor, 4 assistant professors, 1 technician). In particular, his activity was oriented to the economic evaluation of non-marketable goods. This includes:
- policy analysis: this research stream is the starting point of his scientific experience, referred to the 3 years he spent at the University of Bologna, and the 6 years he spent at Kyoto University. In addition, he has been involved in some collaboration with other agricultural economists, and he analyzed some controversial issues of agricultural policy, with regard to effects on farmers' income, and agro-industry development (about 10 publications);
- natural resources: since 2005 he focused his research activity in the evaluation of water resources in agriculture, and published about 15 publications;
- biorefinery: since 2008, in collaboration with Dr. Antonio LOPOLITO and Prof. Massimo MONTELEONE, his research interests were oriented on the economic aspects related to the development of bio-refinery schemes in rural areas. This research activity was funded by the 7FP project “SUSTOIL”, coordinated by Prof. James CLARK, University of York. This represented an excellent opportunity to understand the relevance of conducting research activity with an interdisciplinary perspective, in order to explore the potential of the so-called bioeconomy perspective, especially in rural areas. He is co-author of about 10 publication (of which 3 are at international level), and 2 are under the reviewing process.
Dr. Prosperi has also been involved in collaborative research activities with the group of agricultural economics of the Department of Agriculture of the University of Foggia (currently formed by 1 full professor, 2 associated professors, 6 research professors, 3 research fellows, and 2 PhD students). At the same time, he is also member of the STAR AgroEnergy group, which is an interdisciplinary group formed of about 20 members, involved in research activities related to agroenergy and biorefineries.