Francesca was born in one of the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily, and since she was a child, she has always been inspired by the diversity of marine organisms. Francesca is interested in the biological and ecological processes that shape marine communities. In particular, her Ph.D. project at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, aims to understand the possible impacts of climate change on the reproductive ecology of temperate sponges. In her life, Francesca would like to improve our understanding of the consequences of climate change on marine communities and to contribute to future conservation strategies.