Meet the ETHAS Team

Director of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare, University of Padua

Prof Barbara de Mori has a Phd in Ethics and teaches Ethics in the scientific field at Padua University. She teaches conservation ethics and is in charge for the first training courses in Italy in Veterinary ethics and Animal Welfare Ethics. She is an Expert for section IV of the Italian Higher Health Council and Director of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare of Padua University. She works extensively with European zoo organizations and internationally with partners in the field of conservation ethics in Republic South Africa. The main focus of these activities is on tools, methodologies and participatory approaches for the ethical review process (ERP) in conservation.

Dr Pierfrancesco Biasetti, Scientist at Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin

Dr Pierfrancesco Biasetti studied ethics and applied ethics in Pisa, Padova and Fort Collins, and has been a member of Padua University's Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation, and Animal Welfare since 2015. From 2019 he became a scientist at Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, and part of the BioRescue conservation research project. Dr. Biasetti's research focuses on ethical review processes in conservation projects, conflict analysis, and the ethical foundations of biodiversity conservation.

Steven Seet, PhD student of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare of Padua University, project leader ethas.org webpage/President of the Conservation and Research Fund (CRF)

Steven Seet had five years an owner-managed full-service advertising agency before he turned to science. As head of the Leibniz-IZW Unit Public Relations and Public Affairs Steven Seet and colleagues established amongst others the www.BioRescue.org conservation research project.

As PhD student of Padua University and as President of the German Conservation and Research Fund e.V. (CRF) and he established with support from the Keep Nature Alive CC GmbH the Ethas.org webpage for ethical assessment in conservation research projects. The webpage Ethas.org is based on the research conducted in the field of conservation ethics by his colleagues and him.

Prof Dr Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt heads the department of Reproduction Management at Leibniz-IZW and is Professor of Wildlife Reproduction Medicine at Freie Universität Berlin.

Prof Dr Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt heads the department of Reproduction Management at Leibniz-IZW and is Professor of Wildlife Reproduction Medicine at Freie Universität Berlin. He studied veterinary medicine at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, received his doctorate summa cum laude from Freie Universität Berlin and is certified as a zoo, wildlife and game veterinarian. In his special field, reproduction biology, he is one of the pioneers of assisted reproduction in large mammals, including elephants, rhinos, big cats, and panda bears. He is represented in a number of professional societies, is Honorary Professorial Fellow Life Sciences at Melbourne University, Research Associate of the Smithsonian Institution (National Zoological Park), Fellow of the Zoological Society of San Diego Zoo, Scientific Associate of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Conservation Fellow of the Zoological Society London and Veterinary Advisor for the European elephant Taxon Advisory Group.

Syifa Alya – Veterinary and Wildlife Ethics Specialist, PhD student of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare of Padua University

Syifa Alya is a PhD researcher at the University of Padua, focusing on ethical monitoring of genetic and genomic technologies for endangered wildlife conservation. With a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from IPB University, she specializes in veterinary ethics, zoonotic disease research, and wildlife health. Syifa has experience in entomology research, ethical assessments, and conservation programs, collaborating with governmental and international organizations. She has co-authored research on mosquito-borne diseases and leads initiatives in wildlife education. As a team member at www.ethas.org, she applies ethical frameworks to conservation challenges, promoting responsible and sustainable wildlife protection strategies.

Avery Eli Indovina, Wildlife Ethics and Conservation Specialist, PhD student of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare of Padua University

Avery Eli Indovina is a PhD student at the University of Padua’s Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation, and Animal Welfare. Their research focuses on ethical evaluations of wild carnivore studies, assisted reproduction technologies, and wildlife disease surveillance. Avery holds a Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine and specializes in behavioral analysis, animal welfare, and conservation. With experience in quantitative and qualitative research, they have contributed to international conferences and studies on wildlife ethics. As a team member at www.ethas.org, Avery applies ethical frameworks to conservation challenges, promoting responsible wildlife management and sustainable conservation practices.

Simone Basile, Ethics and Biodiversity Conservation Specialist, PhD student of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare of Padua University

He is a PhD student at the University of Padua, specializing in the ethical dimensions of biodiversity conservation. His research focuses on human-wildlife conflicts, integrating ethical analysis with conservation strategies. With experience in wildlife monitoring, rehabilitation, and conservation policy, he has contributed to projects on wolf ecology and responsible wildlife handling. Simone also mentors students and engages in public outreach. As a team member at www.ethas.org, he applies ethical frameworks to conservation challenges, promoting sustainable and humane approaches to biodiversity protection. His work bridges science, ethics, and policy for effective wildlife conservation.

Elena Mercugliano , Wildlife Ethics and Conservation Specialist, PhD candidate of the Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation and Animal Welfare of Padua University

Elena Mercugliano is a Ph.D. candidate in Conservation Ethics, she integrates animal welfare with ethical tools to address human-wildlife conflicts and coexistence scenarios. She holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Wildlife Conservation from the University of Padua and a Master’s in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Milan. Elena is the President of the REC Association (Research, Education, Conservation ETS), where she leads an integrated wetland conservation project focused on bioindicators monitoring. Her research also explores the social and reproductive behavior of pygmy hippos to enhance welfare and breeding success in zoological facilities. Elena has contributed to numerous publications and presentations, including studies on ethical assessment tools for wildlife conservation and human dimensions in conservation initiatives. Her work bridges the gap between animal behavior, welfare, and ethical decision-making in conservation contexts.