Training Workshop on Morphology,
Systematics and Biology of Copepods
Napoli, Italy (4 – 8 October 2027)
Co-organizers
Rony Huys (rony.huys@outlook.com)
Alexandra Savchenko (as.savchenko1@gmail.com)
Iole Di Capua (iole.dicapua@szn.it)
Venue
The course will take place during 4–8 October 2027 at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), Napoli, Italy, where adequate facilities will be made available for both theoretical and laboratory sessions. Founded in 1872, SZN is one of the oldest leading research institutions in the fields of marine biology and ecology. Research at SZN is spread across five departments, three of which are purely scientific (i.e., Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Integrated Marine Ecology, and Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement) and two dedicated to technological research (Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, and Marine Biotechnologies). As well as conducting and promoting advanced research in the biology and evolution of marine organisms, one of the primary missions of SZN is to train young researchers to become future leaders in research and industry. The Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources provides high-tech services and access to research infrastructures and platforms to the national and international scientific community, as well as supporting Third Party Mission activities, such as contract work and training workshops.
The workshop will take place in the beautiful Villa Comunale, at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.
We highly recommend that international participants who require a visa to enter Italy begin their visa application process as soon as possible. Please note that as of October 2025, the centralised system for the electronic registration of entry and exit (EES) of third-country nationals at the external borders of the Schengen Area for short stays has become operational. “Short stays” means a period of up to 90 days within any 180 days, calculated as a single period for all European countries using the EES. If you require a formal, personalised letter of invitation to facilitate your visa application, please contact the Local Secretary of 16ICOC, Iole Di Capua (iole.dicapua@szn.it). Please include your full name and email address, and a letter in PDF format will be emailed to you.
Objectives
The objective of the course is to provide postgraduate students/postdoctoral fellows with a comprehensive and state-of-the-art introduction to the diversity, morphology, systematics, biology and evolution of benthic, planktonic and symbiotic copepods, including training in technical skills. The course will cover marine, brackish and freshwater forms. Trainees will also be introduced to the principles of Zoological Nomenclature.
Tutors
The course will be taught in English by an international team of tutors. Each tutor is an internationally renowned specialist in a different area of copepod systematics. The team will consist of the following tutors (additional tutors are pending):
- Prof. Emer. Susumu Ohtsuka, (Hiroshima University, Japan)
Course Structure
The course will take place over five days and will consist of a combination of lectures, laboratory-based practical sessions and informal, problem-solving discussions. Every tutor will be present for all of sessions. Flexibility will be maintained to encourage the development of a through interactions between highly motivated young researchers and established workers. Students will be asked to bring material with them that is of special interest or significance in their personal work – particularly their problem species . A typical day will consist of two 1–1.5-hour lectures alternated with practical sessions. The workshop will include a local field trip during which participants will be able to try out various sampling gear, as well as a visit to the Acquario di Napoli.