APOPO is thrilled to welcome Dr. Fabrizio Dell’Anna, an accomplished scientist from Italy, to the team in Morogoro, Tanzania. Fabrizio joins us with a robust academic background and a deep passion for animal behavior research, and he is ready and excited to bring his expertise to APOPO’s life-saving initiatives.
Fabrizio’s Scientific Background
Fabrizio holds a BSc in Natural Sciences from the University of Pavia in Italy and two MSc degrees: one in the Evolution of Animal Behaviour from the University of Turin and another in Primatology from the University of Girona, also both in Italy. His academic journey culminated in 2022 with a PhD in Neuroethology from the Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico, where he focused on studying social behavior in Geoffroy’s spider monkeys.
“My thesis revolved around reciprocity in grooming—whether monkeys groom back when groomed—and scratching behavior, which might indicate anxiety,” he explains. “I spent two years in a Mayan village in Mexico observing a spider monkey group, collecting data on their fascinating behaviors.”
Fabrizio has also been involved in various research projects studying marmots, birds, dogs, and monkeys. “I think my extensive and diverse experience in animal behavior will help me approach problems at APOPO from different and novel angles,” he says.
A Fascination with APOPO
Fabrizio’s first encounter with APOPO came nearly a decade ago. “I heard about APOPO back in 2013 through a science divulgation Facebook page,” he recalls. “I thought the idea of training rats for humanitarian purposes was amazing!”
The connection deepened during his PhD, when fellow researcher Eduardo Reynoso—now also part of APOPO—shared a job opportunity. “Eduardo and I met in Mexico, and when he mentioned APOPO, I knew I wanted to be part of this mission,” Fabrizio says. “The idea of training rats for humanitarian purposes is amazing. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to APOPO’s mission.”
New Challenges and Opportunities
At APOPO, Fabrizio will focus on the Search & Rescue Rat (RescueRATs) and Mine Detection Rat projects. These innovative programs train rats to assist in disaster response efforts and landmine detection, making use of the extraordinary abilities of these small yet intelligent animals.
Although he has only been at APOPO for a short time, Fabrizio is already captivated by the rats’ intelligence. “I am amazed by their ability to learn tasks and by their speed and precision after training,” he says.
Rats Compared With Other Animals
Fabrizio brings a wealth of experience working with wild animals, but APOPO’s rats present a new and exciting opportunity. Unlike wild animals, which can only be observed from a distance, the APOPO rats are well-socialized and accustomed to human interaction.
“The ability to touch them and teach them tasks is a stark contrast to the wild animals I’ve studied,” Fabrizio explains.
Fabrizio hopes to make use of his diverse experience in animal behavior to contribute meaningfully to APOPO’s mission. He says he would like to support the development of the organization’s newest projects while refining his skills in project management, research, and training practices.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the rats deployed in real operations and having a positive impact on the world,” he says.
Adjusting to Life in Morogoro
Relocating to Morogoro, Tanzania, has been a significant change for Fabrizio, who has previously studied and worked in Italy, Spain, Germany, and Mexico. Despite the adjustment, he is settling in well, thanks to the welcoming support of his colleagues. “It has been a big change,” he admits, “but thanks to the support of my colleagues, I’m acclimating well,” he says
A Passion for Wildlife and Science
In addition to his academic pursuits, Fabrizio is an avid wildlife photographer, adding to his appreciation for the natural world. His PhD research on spider monkeys explored topics such as grooming reciprocity, anxiety indicators, and social behaviors, underscoring his commitment to understanding animal behavior in depth.
Fabrizio believes his diverse experiences will allow him to approach challenges at APOPO from fresh perspectives, contributing innovative solutions to complex problems.
Welcome to the Team!
We are delighted to have Fabrizio join the APOPO family and look forward to the incredible contributions he will make to our programs. Welcome aboard, Fabrizio!
