Enrico Gennari's Curriculum Vitae

Enrico Gennari

Born

21th January 1977, Rome (Italy)

Passport

Italian

E-mail

Enrico Gennari completed his master’s degree in Italy (University of Rome, La Sapienza), during which he pioneered a method of estimating age and growth in the deep water shark, Etmopterus spinax, using the shark’s vertebral rings. In 2005, he travelled to South Africa to research the great white shark. For two years, he assisted the doctorate research projects of Ryan Johnson and a close colleague Alison Kock. In 2008 he began his Ph.D. on the thermal physio-ecology of the white shark.

Education and qualifications

In February 2004, I took my master degree (magna cum laude) in Natural Science at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, with a biological oceanography thesis: “Vertebral ageing study, in Etmopterus spinax (Linnaeus, 1758) in central Mediterranean sea”, in collaboration with I.C.R.A.M. (Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca scientifica e tecnologica Applicata al Mare – Central institute for scientific and technological research at sea) of Rome.

First supervisor: Prof. G.D. Ardizzone (University of Rome “La Sapienza”)

Second supervisor: Dr. M. Vacchi (I.C.R.A.M.)

Co-examiner: Dr. U. Scacco (I.C.R.A.M.).

In August 1994, I took my first diving licence.

In August 1995, I took driving licence.

In July 1996, I passed the school-leaving examination (1995/96) in an experimental scientific lyceum in Rome. Vote: 54/60.

In July 2002, I became a SSI Dive Master (Dive Com).

In January 2004, I became a 3rd level Apnea Academy.

In December 2004, I was certified for Dive medic and CPR course.

In January 2005, I was certified for DAN Oxygen and Advanced Oxygen First Aid courses

In January 2005, I took the Dry Suit specialty.

In February 2005, I took restricted marine radio operators licence (VHF).

In February 2005, I became a PADI Underwater Instructor.

In February 2005, I took nautical licence without limits from the coast.

In March 2005, I took the Equipment Specialty.

From April to December 2005, I worked as an assistant in a research project on white sharks based in Mossel Bay (South Africa) for PhD student Ryan Johnson, acquiring experience in skippering boats, seal movement surveys, working with sharks handling bait line, taking genetic sample, taking photos of dorsal fins, working with a bite-meter, doing aerial surveys, recording data and manual tracking white sharks.

From January to June 2006, in collaboration with Ryan Johnson, after having defined a protocol to describe and identify white sharks through photo identification of dorsal fins and body marks, I developed the first South African shark photo I.D. catalogue.

From March to December 2006, I worked as an assistant in a research project on white sharks based in False Bay (South Africa) for PhD student Alison Kock. In addition at increasing my field background got in 2005, I gained experience in predator-prey interactions studying, more specifically in predation surveys.

In August 2006, I took the certificate for Access 2003 basic course organised by ICTS of University of Cape Town (South Africa).

In April 2007, I took the certificate for Introduction to ArcGIS I (9.2) organised by GIMS in Cape Town (South Africa).

In May 2007, I took the certificate for Data capturing and Editing with ArcGIS (9.2) organised by GIMS in Cape Town (South Africa).

Conferences

In September 2002, I presented my poster “A simple technique for a preliminary vertebral ageing study in Etmopterus spinax in Central Mediterranean Sea” during the 6th European Elasmobranch Association (E.E.A.) meeting which was held at the National Museums and Galleries of Wales.

In September 2003, I took a part at the 7th European Elasmobranch Association (E.E.A.) meeting in San Marino Republic with the cooperation of the Aquarium at Parco Le Navi – Cattolica. 2003.

In May 2006, I was invited to attend the specialist workshop “Finding a balance - white shark conservation and recreational safety in the inshore waters of Cape Town, South Africa” held at the marine research aquarium, Sea Point, Cape Town (South Africa) on 29th and 30th May 2006.

For such workshop, I was co-author in the presentation: “White shark abundance: not a causative factor in numbers of shark bite incidents”.

In July 2006, I participate at the American Elasmobranch Society (A.E.S.) meeting in New Orleans (U.S.A.), presenting the talk :“Acoustic telemetry offers new insight into the hunting behaviour of white sharks at a Seal Island” (R. Johnson, E. Gennari*, M.A. Meyer, M.N. Bester W.H. Oosthuizen)

Articles

  • Kock A., Johnson R.L., Bester M.N., Compagno L., Cliff G., Dudley S., Gennari E., Griffiths C.L., Kotze D., Laroche K., Meyer M.A., Oosthuizen W.H. and Swanson S., 2006. White shark abundance: not a causative factor in numbers of shark bite incidents. In: Finding a balance: white shark conservation and recreational safety in the Inshore waters of Cape Town, South Africa. D.C. Nel and T.P. Peschak Eds. WWF South Africa Report Series - 2006/Marine/001.
  • Gennari E. and Scacco U., 2007. First age and growth estimates in the deep water shark, Etmopterus spinax (Linnaeus, 1758), by deep coned vertebral analysis. Marine Biology 152 (5): 1207-1214
  • Palmeri A., Milazzo M., Chemello R. and Gennari E., (in press). Evaluation of the Ustica Island and MPA efficacy after ten years of protection.

Production appearances

  • In 2006: “After the attack”, producer “Triosphere”, broadcaster “Discovery International”
  • In 2007: “Shark tribe”, producer “Triosphere”, broadcaster “Discovery International”
  • In 2007; “Sharkville”, producer “Obsessively Creative”, broadcaster “National Geographic”

Professional Experiences

From June to September 2000, I worked at “Henry’s Café Bar” in London as Bartender carrying out all the activities regarding bar.

In May 2003, I collaborated in the project “Rescue Cetaceans” c/o the Civic Zoological Museum of Rome, with the supervision of Dr Rossella Carlini.

From June to September 2003 and 2004, I worked as diving guide and as first and second level courses assistant at the Barracuda Diving Center in Ustica (Sicily, Italy).

Further Information

Diving

  • PADI instructor since February 2005, n° 969487
  • DAN membership n° 106453.2077.0062 MPS
  • More than 500 certified dives in Italy, the Red Sea, Maldives, South Africa and Cuba.
  • Underwater video amateur (personal digital videocamera).

Licences

  • Italian driving licence since August 1995.
  • International driving licence since March 2005.
  • Nautical licence since February 2005.
  • Restricted marine radio operators licence (VHF) since February 2005.

Languages

I have a thorough knowledge of spoken and written English. In June 2004, I passed the TOEFL test examination (computer based): vote 230/300.

I have good knowledge of spoken and written French.

Computers

I have a good knowledge of much software like ArcGIS (9.2), Word, Acrobat, Excel, Access, Power Point and Internet Explorer.

I have a good knowledge of video digital editing using software like Premiere, DVD Lab, NumDub, VirtualDub and Nero Burning Rom.

Hobbies and interests

Sports: Scuba diving, Free diving, Horse riding, Basketball, Soccer, Skiing and Climbing.

Hobbies: Chess, Books, Playing piano, Listening to music (jazz, classical, new age, rock and many more), Taking photo and Travelling.