Emanuele Pigani

Emanuele Pigani

PhD candidate at the Open University, London

Welcome to My Research Space

My name is Emanuele Pigani, and I am postdoctoral research at the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste. Specifically, I work in the qEcoEvo group lead by Jacopo Grilli.

During my PhD, I worked under the supervision of Daniele Iudicone from Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in Naples, in a joint collaboration with the Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Physics, guided by Samir Suweis, Sandro Azaele, and Amos Maritan. My research focuses on understanding the dynamics of microbial communities through mathematical modeling and statistical mechanics, with a particular interest in phytoplankton and ocean ecosystems. You can find my thesis ‘‘Modeling Macroecological Patterns in Marine Ecosystems: From Community Structures to Gene Expressions’’ here.

🎓 About Me

I hold a degree in Physics from the University of Padova, where I specialized in both fundamental and applied aspects of Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics.

My research lies at the intersection of physics, biology, and ecology.

Broadly speaking, I am interested in:

  • Mathematical modeling of biological systems, spanning from single cells to entire ecosystems.
  • Exploring the emergence of collective behaviors in living systems.
  • Developing tools to understand and predict the dynamics of complex systems.
  • Investigating how the environment shapes biological dynamics.

More in general, I am passionate about uncovering the fundamental laws that underlie reality itself.

🏆 Key Achievements

  • Delivered 5 contributed talks at international conferences and workshops.
  • Invited speaker for the SIFS Young Seminars (June 2024).
  • Participated in the Tara Oceans cruises (2022), gaining direct fieldwork experience.
  • Served as a student representative on multiple academic committees, showcasing leadership and a commitment to the academic community.

🌟 Personal Philosophy

“Fatti non foste a viver come bruti, ma per seguir virtute e canoscenza.”
(You were not made to live as brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.)
— Dante Alighieri, Inferno, Canto XXVI

“Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto.”
(I am human, and I think nothing human is alien to me.)
— Publio Terenzio Afro, Heautontimorùmenos

We are made to know. From the moment we are born, we are driven by a need to understand, to push the boundaries of what we know, always a bit further. I firmly believe in a holistic approach to knowledge—one that refuses the constraints of overspecialization. Science and academia should not isolate themselves by focusing solely on one narrow aspect of reality while forgetting the interconnected whole. Instead, they should embrace the complexity and beauty of the broader picture, integrating diverse perspectives to illuminate the fundamental laws that govern our world.

📖 More about me

Beyond my passion for research, I strive to live a balanced and fulfilling life.
Here are some of the things I love:

  • ⚽ Playing (and watching) football—nothing beats the excitement of a great match.
    “Vincere non è importante, è l’unica cosa che conta.” (Winning is not important, it’s the only thing that matters.)
  • 🚴 Cycling—I enjoy riding my bike, at least as much as I dislike cars and traffic.
  • 🍴 Good food and intermittent fasting—a dedicated follower of intermittent fasting (except during Christmas, of course!).
  • 📚 Reading—especially novels and inspiring stories of remarkable individuals who shaped history, in many ways.
  • 🌱 Being in nature and gardening—working in the garden or tending to a small vegetable patch is even better when shared with good company.
  • 🏞️ Spending time outdoors—whether hiking, exploring, or simply enjoying the tranquility of natural spaces.
  • ❤️ Family time—most of all, I cherish the moments spent with my wife and daughters; they are my greatest source of joy and inspiration.

Thank you for visiting my site! Feel free to explore my work and connect with me.