Dr Stefano Vaglio, MSc (Pisa), PhD (Florence), FHEA

Contact Dr Stefano Vaglio (email at stefano.vaglio@durham.ac.uk)

Biography

I am currently Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour at University of Wolverhampton, where I also serve as Faculty rep on the University Research Concordat Sub-committee and the University Ethics Sub-committee’s Working Group on Animal Research, and Honorary Research Fellow in Anthropology at Durham University. I am Principal Investigator of the EU-funded projects International Zoo Conservation & Management (Erasmus+ Key Action 203 Mobility Project 2019-2022) and The Enriched Primate (Marie Curie Actions 2020-2022).

In 2003 I graduated with first class honours in Biology (curriculum: Behavioural Neurobiology) at Pisa University (Italy). Following a career break, I gained my PhD in Anthropology (curriculum: Primatology) from Florence University (Italy) in 2009. Before joining Durham University's Anthropology Department, I worked as Postdoctoral Fellow on chemical communication in non-human primates and humans at Florence University (Italy), and as Part-time Research Scientist on captive primate welfare and in situ conservation initiatives at Parco Natura Viva-Garda Zoological Park (Italy).

The majority of my research work has focused on captive primates (lemurs, tamarins, mandrills, baboons) housed at European zoological gardens and primate centres. However, I have also conducted primate fieldwork in Madagascar (lemurs) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (bonobos).

From October 2013 to December 2015 I worked at Durham as Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow in Anthropology focusing on my project Microsmatic primates revisited: Determining the importance of olfaction in primate communication. In January 2016 I moved to Wolverhampton as Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, while I continued my research work in collaboration with the Primatology Group at Durham as Honorary Research Fellow.

Additionally, I am Research Associate at ARCA Foundation - Garda Zoological Park, and Member of the Board of Directors of the École Nature Recherche and Trunks & Leaves. 

Furthermore, for several years I have been working on applied projects about primate conservation and the sustainability of local communities in Africa and, as a result of this experience, in 2011 I co-founded a specialized consultancy firm, CarbonSinkGroup srl (Florence University spin-off).

Current Research

I am a biologist interested in chemical ecology. In particular, I study how animals (mainly non-human primates, but also other mammals and humans) communicate using chemical signals. However, since the majority of my research work has focused on captive animals, I have also developed interest in captive animal welfare.

I use training techniques and combine semiochemistry, behavioural ecology, bioacoustics, digital imaging, cytology and endocrinology to address questions relating to socio-sexual communication and welfare in zoo animals.

Funds, Grants and Awards

• European Commission (€ 212,934), MSCA IF project EnPrim (PI - Supervisor), 2020-2022
• European Commission (€ 219,691), Erasmus+ KA 203 project InterZoo (PI), 2019-2022
• British Academy / Leverhulme (£ 9,187), Small Research Grant (Co-I), 2019
• Primate Society of Great Britain (£ 1,000), Captive Care Grant, 2018
• European Commission (£ 1,300), MSCA IF project DiseaseRecognition (Co-Supervisor), 2017-2018
• University of Wolverhampton (£ 9,720), FSE Annual Funding Competition, 2015-2016
• Durham University (£ 645), Anthropology Department Research Fund, 2015 
• European Commission (€ 231,283), MSCA IEF project PrimOlf (PI - Research Fellow), 2013-2015
• Florence University (€ 80,690), Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 2009-2013
• Eupolis Lombardia (€ 15,125), Research Project, 2009
• Italian Primatological Association (€ 200), Travel Award (2^nd Conference of the EFP), 2007
• Italian Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology (€ 40,914), PhD Fellowship, 2006-2008
• Florence University (€ 12,000), Postgraduate Fellowship, 2005

Invited Talks & Other Esteem Indicators

• International conference Welfare and Conservation in Modern Zoos, Safari Ravenna (Italy): Invited Speaker, 2020
• Informatore Coop: Interview “L’amore degli animali: feromoni, affetto e fedeltà”, 2020
• The Travel News: Interview "A tu per tu coi lemuri", 2019
• TV series ‘Animals Decoded’ – The Smithsonian Channel (US) & Love Nature: Episode ‘Invisible Communication’ featuring my research work on primate chemical communication, 2019
• XXVI^th UKSN workshop, Cambridge: Invited Mammalian Semiochemistry Chair & Speaker, 2018
• PG course Garda Zoological Gardens & Sorbonne University, Bussolengo (VR): Invited Speaker, 2018
• Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior (Springer): Invited Chapter Author, 2017
• XXV^th UKSN workshop, Cambridge: Invited Mammalian Semiochemistry Chair, 2017
• XXVI^th ECRO Congress, Athens: Invited Symposium Speaker, 2016
• 6^th EFOR Seminar, Paris: Invited Symposium Speaker, 2015
• Annual Meeting - CNRS Primatology Station, Rousset-sur-Arc: Invited Speaker, 2015
• LIFE+ project Reason for Hope: Member of the Steering Committee, 2014-2019
• Primate Conservation Seminar Series - Oxford Brookes University, Oxford: Invited Speaker, 2014
• Seminar Series - CNRS Primatology Station, Rousset-sur-Arc: Invited Speaker, 2014
• CarbonSinkGroup s.r.l., Florence University spin-off company: Founder Member & Partner, 2011-present
• Government workshop Environment, Renewable Resources & Energy Efficiency, Tirana: Invited Speaker, 2011
• Pheromones: Theories, Types and Uses (Nova Science Publishers): Invited Chapter Author, 2010
• EUPOLIS Lombardia project Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability: Advisor, 2010
• Pheromones (Springer): Invited Chapter Author, 2009
• Communicative & Integrative Biology: Invited Review Author, 2009
• CASCADe Africa (FFEM & UNEP) project Bonobo Peace Forest: Team Leader, 2009-2011
• 2^nd Italian Congress of Research in Parks, Bussolengo (Verona): Invited Speaker, 2009
• 5^th Matching Exhibition, Milan: Invited Speaker, 2009
• Florence University: Declared Cultore della materia per il settore scientifico-disciplinare BIO-08, 2009
• Project Carbon sequestration calculation in the Samboko-Ituri Forest: Team Leader, 2008
• MED-PACT (EU) project PAMLED: Member of the Technical and Scientific Committee, 2006-2010
• INTERREG IIIC SUD (EU) project InterEcoTur: Member of the Technical and Scientific Committee, 2005
• Commission on Ethnic Relations (IUAES): Regional Representative, 2005

Research students

Current PhD students:

• Edmund O’Malley (University of Wolverhampton)
• Emily Elwell (University of Wolverhampton)
• Rachel Sawyer (Oxford Brookes University)

Past PhD students:

• Sara Fontani (Università degli Studi di Firenze)

Reviewer Services

Ad hoc funding agency reviewer:

• Czech Science Foundation

Ad hoc journal reviewer:

• American Journal of Primatology
• Biology Letters
• BMC Veterinary Research
• Business, Strategy and the Environment
• Chemical Senses
• Comptes Rendus Biologies
• Environment and Pollution
• International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development
• Journal of Chemical Ecology
• Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
• Journal of Experimental Biology
• Journal of Primatology
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research
• Methods in Ecology and Evolution
• Royal Society Open Science

Research Interests

• Primate Chemical Ecology
• Primate Welfare Assessment and Management

Selected Publications

Chapter in book

• Vaglio, S., Bartels-Hardege, H. & Hardege, J. (2018). Pheromone. In Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Vonk, J. & Shackelford, T. Springer, Cham.
• Vaglio, S. & Chiarelli, B. (2010). New Challenges in the Study of Phermones. In Pheromones: Theories, Types and Uses. Gregory, I.M. Hauppauge: Nova Science Publishers. 225-230.
• Vaglio, S. (2010). Volatile signals during pregnancy. In Pheromones. Litwack, G. Amsterdam Boston: Elsevier. 83: 289-304.

Journal Article

• Spiezio, C, Vaglio, S, Vandelled, C & Regaiolli, B (Submitted). Effects of hand-rearing on the behaviour and welfare of zoo chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Animals
• Vaglio, S, Rodriguez Villanueva, M, Ducroix, L, Consiglio, R, Kim, JA, Neilands, P, Stucky, K & Lameira, A (Submitted). Silent sex in captive olive baboons. Behaviour
• Vaglio, Stefano, Ducroix, Louise, Rodriguez Villanueva, Maria, Consiglio, Rosanna, Kim, Ayong Julia, Neilands, Patrick, Stucky, Kerstin & Lameira, Adriano R. (2020). Female copulation calls vary with male ejaculation in captive olive baboons. Behaviour 157(8-9): 807-822.
• Regaiolli, B, Angelosante, C, Marliani, G, Accorsi, PA Vaglio, S & Spiezio, C (2020). Gum-feeder as environmental enrichment for marmosets and tamarins. Zoo Biology 39(2): 73-82.
• Walker, D & Vaglio, S (2020). Sampling and analysis of animal scent markings. Journal of Visualized Experiments
• Janda, E.D., Perry, K., Hankinson, E., Walker, D. & Vaglio, S. (2019). Sex differences in scent-marking in captive red-ruffed lemurs. American Journal of Primatology 81(1): e22951.
• Spiezio, C., Vaglio, S., Scala, C. & Regaiolli, B. (2017). Does positive reinforcement training affect the behaviour and welfare of zoo animals? The case of the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 196: 91-99.
• Vaglio, S., Minicozzi, P., Romoli, R., Boscaro, F., Pieraccini, G., Moneti, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, J. (2016). Sternal gland scent-marking signals sex, age, rank and group identity in captive mandrills. Chemical Senses 41(2): 177-186.
• Spiezio, C., Piva, F., Regaiolli, B. & Vaglio, S. (2015). Positive reinforcement training: a tool for care and management of captive vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops). Animal Welfare 24(3): 283-290.
• Fontani, S., Vaglio, S., Beghelli, V., Mattioli, M., Bacci, S. & Accorsi, P.A. (2014). Fecal concentrations of cortisol, testosterone, and progesterone in cotton-top tamarins hosted in different zoological parks: Relationship among physiological data, environmental conditions and behavioral patterns. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 17(3): 228-252.
• Fontani, S., Tanteri, G., Vaglio, S., Delfino, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, J. (2014). Histology of the suprapubic and anogenital cutaneous glands in male cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus). Folia Primatologica 85(2): 109-118.
• Daddi, T., Vaglio, S. & Battaglia, M. (2014). Local Sustainability and Cooperation Actions in the Mediterranean Region. Sustainability 6(5): 2929-2945.
• Grisa, R., Bertelé, M., Vaglio, S. & Spiezio, C. (2013). A therapeutic environmental enrichment programme for managing pathological behaviour in the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox). Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 1(1): 41-43.
• Fornalé, F., Vaglio, S., Spiezio, C. & Prato Previde, E. (2012). Red-green color vision in three catarrhine primates. Communicative & Integrative Biology 5(6): 583-589.
• Regaiolli, B., Vaglio, S. & Spiezio, C. (2012). The effect of zoo visitors on the behaviour of the Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus). International Zoo News 59(2): 108-122.
• Setchell, J.M., Vaglio, S., Abbott, K.M., Moggi-Cecchi, J., Boscaro, F., Pieraccini, G. & Knapp, L.A. (2011). Odour signals major histocompatibility complex genotype in an Old World monkey. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 278(1703): 274-280.
• Setchell, J.M., Vaglio, S., Moggi-Cecchi, J., Boscaro, F., Calamai, L. & Knapp, L.A. (2010). Chemical composition of scent-gland secretions in an Old World monkey (Mandrillus sphinx): influence of sex, male status, and individual identity. Chemical Senses 35(3): 205-220.
• Fontani, S., Vaglio, S., Baistrocchi, E., Carraro, C. & Moggi-Cecchi, J. (2010). Welfare assessment in captive ring-tailed lemurs. International Zoo News 57(57): 274-285.
• Vaglio, S. (2009). Chemical communication and mother-infant recognition. Communicative & Integrative Biology 2(3): 279-281.
• Vaglio, S., Minicozzi, P., Bonometti, E., Mello, G. & Chiarelli, B. (2009). Volatile signals during pregnancy: A possible chemical basis for mother-infant recognition. Journal of Chemical Ecology 35(1): 131-139.
• Vaglio, S, Mauno, U & Chiarelli, B (2007). Application of Kyoto Protocol in the Conservation of Bonobos (Pan paniscus). Global Bioethics 20(1-4): 53-63.

Newspaper/Magazine Article

• Vaglio, S (2016). Don’t Stay Away From Zoos - They Are a Vital Resource. The Huffington Post United Kingdom

Show all publications

Research Groups

• Evolutionary Anthropology