Dr. Cristiano Rossignoli is an Agricultural Economist with over 20 years of international experience in aquaculture, fisheries, and food systems. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics and an MSc in Animal Production Science from the University of Pisa (Italy), as well as an MSc in Sustainable Aquaculture from the University of Stirling (UK).

Cristiano leads WorldFish’s scientific work on sustainable production systems and impact evidence, serving as Science Team Lead for Production Systems and Research Lead for Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Assessment (MELIA). He previously led the CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods (2022–2024), steering multi-country research and policy engagement to enhance livelihoods, nutrition, and resilience through aquatic food systems.

He has held senior roles at the University of Pisa, FAO, and Oxfam, and has contributed to development and food security programs in more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Cristiano’s research focuses on the sustainability of production systems, with particular expertise in low-trophic species, climate-smart aquaculture, and the multifunctionality of aquatic food systems. He applies environmental sustainability assessments to support transdisciplinary strategies that lower greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem services, and promote nature-positive and inclusive food solutions. His work helps integrate sustainability trade-offs into investment decisions and scaling pathways for both public and private sectors.

Cristiano also plays a key role in the development of AquaIndex, a data-driven tool for evaluating sustainability performance, and leads the co-design of inclusive digital and data systems to support real-time decision-making, monitoring, and equitable access to innovation.

As a Visiting Scientist at the Institute for Future Initiative, University of Tokyo, he collaborates on foresight methods, impact assessments of key innovations, and systems-based approaches to accelerate sustainable food transitions. His interdisciplinary work bridges science, environment, and policy—supporting evidence-based decisions by donors, governments, and producers seeking to build climate-resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sound aquatic food systems.