Marta Bisaschi’s passion and hard work have earned her the prestigious Rebecchi Degree Prize. Her master’s thesis, titled “Quantification and Phylogenetic Classification of Aerobic Spore Former Bacteria before and after Milking Time Hygiene Interventions,” tackles an important issue in the dairy industry: how to make milk safer and healthier for everyone.
With the guidance of her supervisor, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Marta explored ways to reduce heat-resistant bacterial spores that can survive pasteurization. Her research aims to improve the quality and safety of fresh milk while preserving its vitamins and minerals.
“I looked at methods to lower the microbial load in the dairy supply chain,” Marta explained. “Reducing these spores means we can produce milk that’s safer for consumers and better in nutritional quality.”
This isn’t Marta’s first big win. Less than a year ago, she received the Agostino Gemelli Prize, recognizing her as one of the top graduates of the Catholic University. Reflecting on her time there, she emphasized how valuable hands-on lab work, research opportunities, and studying abroad in Vienna were to her journey.
The Rebecchi Degree Prize, worth €2,500, was created in memory of Commendatore Piero Rebecchi and is supported by Maria Teresa Fontana and the Lions Club Rivalta, Valli Trebbia e Luretta.
Other Outstanding Graduates Honored
Marta wasn’t the only one celebrated during the awards ceremony.
- Leonardo d’Intino, a Sustainable and Precision Agriculture graduate, won the Aurelia Gasparini Degree Award for his research on how temperature and storage affect the aroma of Malvasia di Candia aromatica wines. He received tuition reimbursement worth up to €10,000.
- Serena Zottola was awarded the Fausto Zermani Degree Prize for her work on how potato and tomato crops grow in agrivoltaic environments, which combine farming with renewable energy production. She received €1,604 for her achievements.
The awards ceremony, led by Dean Marco Trevisan and branch director Angelo Manfredini, celebrated the dedication, curiosity, and creativity of these young researchers. Each of them has shown how passion and commitment can lead to incredible results, making their mark in the fields of agriculture, food, and environmental sciences.
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