Born in Genoa in 1950; classical studies at the Liceo D’Oria; degree in Natural Sciences from Genoa University in 1973, with honors and press dignity. Career entirely carried out in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G. Doria” of Genoa: Curator in 1976, Assistant Director in 1981, Director from 1996 to 2011; Honorary Curator since 2011 (since 2017 for life).
Coleopterologist specialized in soil fauna, with particular interest in the Staphylinidae Pselaphinae, has carried out field exploration and research campaigns in both peninsular and insular Italian regions, enriching the Museum’s collections of tens of thousands of specimens.
Secretary of the Società Entomologica Italiana from 1984 to 2011, Vice President since 2012. The scientific activity is documented by over 230 publications published in Italian and foreign serials; he described about 50 new taxa (especially Pselaphinae), while 105 are dedicated to his name.
Academician of the Accademia Nazionale Italiana di Entomologia since 1989, Full Member since 1999.
In addition to the more strictly entomological research, he also dealt with museology, history of science, cetology and bibliography.

– Studio sugli Pselaphidae della Liguria (Coleoptera). Memorie Soc. ent. ital., Genova, 1977, 55 (1976), pp. 11-100, 117 figg.
– Elenco delle collezioni entomologiche conservate nelle strutture pubbliche italiane + Iconography of Italian Entomologists, with essential biographical data. Memorie Soc. ent. ital., Genova, 1996, 75, pp. 3-157 + 159-382, 418 figg. (In collab. con C. Conci).
– Gli “Annali” pubblicati dal Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “Giacomo Doria” di Genova: storia del periodico ed indici generali dei primi cento volumi (1870-2009). Annali Mus. civ. St. nat. G. Doria, Genova, 2010, 101, pp. 1-529, 19 figg.
– Entomologia in Liguria. Storie di insetti, uomini e collezioni. Ed. Erredi Grafiche Editoriali, Genova, 2012, 208 pp., 394 figg.
– 150 anni di attività scientifica. Note su nascita e sviluppo del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “Giacomo Doria” di Genova (1867-2017) / 150 years of scientific activity. Notes on the foundation and development of the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “Giacomo Doria” of Genoa (1867-2017). Annali Mus. civ. St. nat. G. Doria, Genova, 2017, 109, pp. 1-276, 524 figg.