Annalisa Pietrobelli
Postdoc
Department of Human Origins
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Deutscher Platz 6
04103 Leipzig
phone: +49 (0) 341 3550 353
e-mail:
annalisa_pietrobelli@[>>> Please remove the text! <<<]eva.mpg.de
Research Interests
My postdoctoral project at the Max Plank Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology - Dept. of Human Origins focuses on the internal and external morphology and biomechanics of the lower limbs of extant and extinct hominid taxa in the light of the evolution of bipedality. Specifically, I investigate how morphological and biomechanical changes in the leg relate to biological variation determined by sexual dimorphism or different body sizes, to different functional requirements determined by high vs. low mobility and activity intensity, to different terrain types and locomotor strategies, and to phylogenetic differences.
- functional morphology
- lower limb biomechanics
- evolution of bipedalism
Curriculum Vitae
Career & Education
| 2023 | Postdoctoral researcher – Department of Human Origins, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology |
| 2023 | Adjunct Professor of Anthropometry and Ergonomics – Department of Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna |
| 2022 | Visiting Postgraduate Researcher – School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent |
| 2019-2023 | PhD in Biological Anthropology – Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna Thesis: “Skeletal variability of the human fibula and its evolutionary implications“ |
| 2018-2019 | Museum operator – Collection of Anthropology of University of Bologna |
| 2017-2018 | National Civil Service – Museum operator – Collection of Veterinary Pathology and Teratology |
| 2014-2017 | MA in Archaeology (bioarchaeological curriculum) – Department of History and Cultures University of Bologna Thesis: “A geodatabase for bioarcheology – the case of via Orfeo cemetery“ |
Research experience
Internships and courses:
| 2021 | UnaEuropa PhD Workshop “Dissonant Heritage: Concepts, Critiques, Cases” - University of Bologna & Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie, November 2021 |
| 2020 | Statistics class Dr A. Boattini (University of Bologna), Jan 2020 (30h) “Human bone histology morning coffee workshop series for biological anthropologists” Dr J. Miszkiewicz (Australian National University in Canberra), May-Jun 2020 |
| 2017-2018 | Acquiring and Post-processing 3D data in Anthropology, University of Bologna, Prof. Stefano Benazzi, Jun 2017 and May 2018 (Module 1: Acquisition and processing 3D models and CT scan: Geomagic & Avizo software) (Module 2: Geometric Morphometrics, Viewbox & R software); |
| 2017 | Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Institute for Research and Learning in Archeology and Bioarchaeology (IRLAB) and University of Pisa, Division of Paleopathology, Jul 2015. “Biostat 2017- Multivariate statistics in Anthropology”, University of Pisa with University of Asti, May 2017 |
| 2016-2017 | Internship at the Laboratory of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Osteology Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Dec 2016 - Feb 2017 |
Fieldwork
| 2016-2017 | Field School Badia Pozzeveri (LU, Italy), Institute for Research and Learning in Archeology and Bioarchaeology (IRLAB) and University of Pisa, Middle ages necropolis excavation and anthropological study |
| 2016 | Islamic necropolis of Salut (Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman), University of Pisa, and Italian Mission to Oman (IMTO) |
| 2016 | Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno (IS, Italy), University Suor Orsola Benincasa |
| 2015-2015 | Southern necropolis of Tharros (OR, Italy), University of Bologna |
| 2015 | Monastry of San Benedetto de Iumento Albo (IS, Italy), University Suor Orsola Benincasa |
| 2013-2014 | Southern necropolis of Tharros (OR, Italy) Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna |
Languages
- Italian: proficient (mother tongue)
- English: advanced (C1)
- French: Intermediate (B1)
- German: Basic (A2)
Skills & Softwares
| Surface models processing | Meshlab, Geomagic Studio, Meshmixer (Advanced) |
| 3D image acquisition | Artec Space Spider Laser Scanner + Geomagic design X (Good) |
| 3D imaging segmentation | Avizo (Advanced), 3D Slicer (Basic) |
| Geometric morphometrics | Viewbox (Advanced), Arothron (R package) (Good) |
| Cross-sectional geometry | Morphomap (R package), BoneJ (Good) |
| Trabecular analysis | Medtool (Good) |
| Statistics | Past, SPSS Statistics, R & Rstudio (Advanced) |
| GIS | QuantumGIS (Good) |
| Image processing & Illustration prepration | Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, GIMP (Good) |
Research awards & funding
| 2023 | best poster prize at XXV AAI Congress (6-8/9/2023, Chieti, Italy) with the poster: Mameli D., Pietrobelli A., Mariotti V., Belcastro M.G. Morphological patterns of lower limb fibrous entheses in juvenile skeletons. |
| 2022 | MARCO POLO GRANT by Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna |
| 2018 | Dissertation prize: "Creazione di un geodatabase per lo studio bioarcheologico del cimitero medioevale di Via Orfeo" by Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna |
Publications
2024
Pietrobelli A., Sorrentino R., Sparacello V.S., Mottes E., Fontana F., Sineo L., Benazzi S., Marchi D., Belcastro M.G. (2024). Exploring the role of fibular extremities as indicators of mobility patterns and locomotor behavior in Homo sapiens from Mid- Late Upper Paleolithic to the modern age. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 16 (7)
DOI
Mameli D., Pietrobelli A., Sorrentino R., Nicolosi T., Mariotti V., Belcastro M.G. (2024). Entheseal variation and locomotor behavior during growth. Journal of Anatomy, 245 (1), pp. 137 - 155
DOI
Pietrobelli A., Sorrentino R., Benazzi S., Belcastro M.G., Marchi D. (2024). Linking the proximal tibiofibular joint to hominid locomotion: A morphometric study of extant species. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 184 (2)
DOI
Voisin J.-L., Belcastro M.G., Pietrobelli A., Condemi S. (2024) . A new thumb phalanx from Moula Guercy (France): description and considerations of Neandertal hand use [Une nouvelle phalange de pouce provenant de Moula Guercy (France): description et réflexion sur l’utilisation de la main par les Néandertaliens.]. Comptes Rendus - Palevol, 23 (21), pp. 293 - 323
DOI
2023
Sorrentino R., Carlson K.J., Orr C.M., Pietrobelli A., Figus C., Li S., Conconi M., Sancisi N., Belvedere C., Zhu M., Fiorenza L., Hublin J.-J., Jashashvili T., Novak M., Patel B.A., Prang T.C., Williams S.A., Saers J.P.P., Stock J.T., Ryan T., Myerson M., Leardini A., DeSilva J., Marchi D., Belcastro M.G., Benazzi S. (2023). Morphological and evolutionary insights into the keystone element of the human foot’s medial longitudinal arch. Communications Biology, 6 (1)
DOI
Condemi S., Panuel M., Chaumoitre K., Belcastro M.G., Pietrobelli A., Voisin J.-L. (2023). A pathological Neandertal thumb phalanx from Moula-Guercy (France). International Journal of Paleopathology, 42, pp. 14 - 17
DOI
Nicolosi T., Mariotti V., Talamo S., Miari M., Minarini L., Nenzioni G., Lenzi F., Pietrobelli A., Sorrentino R., Benazzi S., Belcastro M.G. (2023). On the traces of lost identities: chronological, anthropological and taphonomic analyses of the Late Neolithic/Early Eneolithic fragmented and commingled human remains from the Farneto rock shelter (Bologna, northern Italy). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 15 (3)
DOI
2022
Pietrobelli A., Sorrentino R., Notariale V., Durante S., Benazzi S., Marchi D., Belcastro M.G. (2022). Comparability of skeletal fibulae surfaces generated by different source scanning (dual-energy CT scan vs. high resolution laser scanning) and 3D geometric morphometric validation. Journal of Anatomy, 241 (3), pp. 667 - 682
DOI
Pietrobelli A., Sorrentino R., Durante S., Marchi D., Benazzi S., Belcastro M.G. (2022). Sexual Dimorphism in the Fibular Extremities of Italians and South Africans of Identified Modern Human Skeletal Collections: A Geometric Morphometric Approach. Biology, 11 (7)
DOI
Belcastro M.G., Pietrobelli A., Nicolosi T., Milella M., Mariotti V. (2022). Scientific and Ethical Aspects of Identified Skeletal Series: The Case of the Documented Human Osteological Collections of the University of Bologna (Northern Italy). Forensic Sciences, 2 (2), pp. 349 - 361
DOI
Pietrobelli A., Marchi D., Belcastro M.G. (2022). The relationship between bipedalism and growth: A metric assessment in a documented modern skeletal collection (Certosa Collection, Bologna, Italy). American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 177 (4), pp. 669 - 689
DOI
Sorrentino R., Carlson K.J., Figus C., Pietrobelli A., Stephens N.B., DeMars L.J.D., Saers J.P.P., Armando J., Bettuzzi M., Guarnieri T., Oxilia G., Vazzana A., Parr W., Turley K., Morigi M.P., Stock J.T., Ryan T.M., Benazzi S., Marchi D., Belcastro M.G. (2022). The talar morphology of a hypochondroplasic dwarf: A case study from the Italian Late Antique period. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 32 (2), pp. 429 - 443
DOI
Gasparini A., Lugli F., Silvestrini S., Pietrobelli A., Marchetta I., Benazzi S., Belcastro M.G. (2022). Biological sex VS. Archaeological Gender: Enamel peptide analysis of the horsemen of the Early Middle age necropolises of Campochiaro (Molise, Italy). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 41
DOI
2021
Marino R., Tanganelli V., Pietrobelli A., Belcastro M.G. (2021). Evaluation of the auricular surface method for subadult sex estimation on Italian modern (19th to 20th century) identified skeletal collections. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 174 (4), pp. 792 - 803
DOI
Belcastro M.G., Nicolosi T., Sorrentino R., Mariotti V., Pietrobelli A., Bettuzzi M., Morigi M.P., Benazzi S., Talamo S., Miari M., Preti N., Castagna L., Pisani L., Grandi L., Baraldi P., Zannini P., Scarponi D., Waele J.D. (2021). Unveiling an odd fate after death: The isolated Eneolithic cranium discovered in the Marcel Loubens Cave (Bologna, Northern Italy). PLoS ONE, 16 (3 March)
DOI
2020
Pietrobelli A., Mariotti V., Fusari S., Gasparini A., Bettuzzi M., Morigi M.P., Belcastro M.G. (2020). Syphilis in an Italian medieval jewish community: A bioarchaeological and cultural perspective. International Journal of Paleopathology, 30, pp. 85 - 97
DOI
Belcastro M.G., Mariotti V., Pietrobelli A., Sorrentino R., García-Tabernero A., Estalrrich A., Rosas A. (2020). The study of the lower limb entheses in the Neanderthal sample from El Sidrón (Asturias, Spain): How much musculoskeletal variability did Neanderthals accumulate? Journal of Human Evolution, 141
DOI
2019
Belcastro M.G., Pietrobelli A., Rastelli E., Iannuzzi V., Toselli S., Mariotti V. (2019). Variations in epiphyseal fusion and persistence of the epiphyseal line in the appendicular skeleton of two identified modern (19th–20th c.) adult Portuguese and Italian samples. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 169 (3), pp. 448 - 463
DOI