Sofia Rizzi
I am a research fellow based at the University of Debrecen, where my primary focus is on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). I am currently involved in the HU-RIZON AMR project, which explores the role of migratory birds—particularly shorebirds—in the global spread of AMR. As part of this interdisciplinary project, I work at the intersection of ecology, microbiology, and global health. Alongside this research, I have also begun exploring the breeding ecology and conservation of shorebird populations, broadening my understanding of the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world.
Current Focus – AMR in Shorebirds
During my PhD, I explored how olfactory cues influence social interactions in bats, focusing on two forest-dwelling species: Myotis bechsteinii and Myotis nattereri. My research aimed to uncover what drives the variability in these scent secretions, how they function in maintaining social structure, and the ways bats use odour to recognize group members, distinguish unfamiliar individuals, and select communal roosts. To do so, I took a multidisciplinary approach that combined field-based behavioural experiments on free-ranging individuals with chemical analyses of gland secretions using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
PhD – Role of Odour in Bat Sociality
Previous experience and Other Interests
I am an enthusiastic evolutionary biologist and behavioral ecologist with a passion for studying non-model species and a love for fieldwork. Before my PhD, my research primarily focused on phenotypic plasticity in sexually selected traits of the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), and I continue to be deeply interested in sexual selection along with a range of other topics. I thrive on networking and collaboration, which is why I am involved in various societies and projects. Outside of research, you will often find me outdoors, camera in hand looking for wildlife.
