About

I am an observational astronomer with expertise across a broad range of extragalactic topics, specializing in AGN, galaxy chemical evolution, and supernovae. My research contributes to advancing our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution, supermassive black hole mergers, and gravitational wave astrophysics. I am actively involved in the development of astronomical instrumentation and participate in gravitational wave experiments, in particular LISA.

Main Research Interests

Dual Active Galactic Nuclei

Small separation (sub-arcsec) dual AGN systems are crucial for understanding supermassive black hole mergers and predicting GW event rates for future LISA observations. I have pioneered the study of dual AGN systems, introducing the novel "Gaia Multi Peak" (GMP) technique. This breakthrough has led to the discovery of the vast majority of the dual AGN confirmed at z > 0.5. We have also develped a machine-learning method to select compact dual AGN in Euclid data


Relevant papers:
1. Mannucci et al., 2022: 'Unveiling the population of dual and lensed active galactic nuclei at sub-arcsec separations'
2. Ciurlo, Mannucci et al. 2023: 'New multiple AGN systems with subarcsec separation: Confirmation of candidates selected via the novel GMP method'
3. ` Mannucci et al 2023: 'GMP-selected dual and lensed AGNs: Selection function and classification based on near-IR colors and resolved spectra from VLT/ERIS, Keck/OSIRIS, and LBT/LUCI'
4. Scialpi, Mannucci et al., 2024 'MUSE adaptive-optics spectroscopy confirms dual active galactic nuclei and strongly lensed systems at sub-arcsec separation'
5. Ulivi, Mannucci et al. 2025'Euclid: A machine-learning search for dual and lensed AGN at sub-arcsec separations'

Chemical Evolution of Galaxies

I established the Fundamental Metallicity Relation, a tight correlation between stellar mass, star formation rate, and gas-phase metallicity in galaxies. This relation remains unchanged across cosmic time, providing key insights into galaxy evolution through equilibrium states involving smooth gas accretion. My work includes developing more accurate methods for measuring ISM metallicities from strong emission lines.


Relevant papers:
1. Mannucci et al. 2009 'LSD: Lyman-break galaxies Stellar populations and Dynamics - I. Mass, metallicity and gas at z ∼ 3.1'
2. Mannucci et al 2010 'A fundamental relation between mass, star formation rate and metallicity in local and high-redshift galaxies'
3. Cresci, Mannucci et al. ' Gas accretion as the origin of chemical abundance gradients in distant galaxies'
4. Maiolino & Mannucci 2019 'De re metallica: the cosmic chemical evolution of galaxies'
5. Curti, Mannucci et al. 2020 'The mass-metallicity and the fundamental metallicity relation revisited on a fully Te-based abundance scale for galaxies'

Supernova Research

My research on type Ia supernovae has revealed fundamental insights into their progenitor systems. By linking supernova rates with host galaxy stellar populations, I demonstrated that these explosions occur both shortly after star formation (~50 Myr) and after very long timescales (~10 Gyr), with significant contributions from double-degenerate white dwarf systems.


Relevant papers:
1. Mannucci et al., 2005 'The supernova rate per unit mass'
2. Mannucci et al. 2006 'Two populations of progenitors for Type Ia supernovae?'
3. Maoz & Mannucci 2012 'Type-Ia Supernova Rates and the Progenitor Problem: A Review
4. Maoz, Mannucci et al. 2014 'Observational Clues to the Progenitors of Type Ia Supernovae'

Key Publications & Impact (Aug 2025)

Full publication list (ADS)
300+ Refereed Papers
24,500+ Total Citations
74 H-index
14 Papers >300 Citations

Current Project: COSMIC DUETS

I am CO-PI of the ESO Large Project "Cosmic duets", PI: M. Scialpi. We have been awarder 138hrs of VLT time with the MUSE AO-assisted integral-field spectrograph to obtain spatially-resolved spectroscopy of 150 dual AGN candidates. The project started in Oct. 2024 and will go on until Sept. 2027.

Major Appointments & Roles

  • 2025-present: Council Member, LISA Consortium
  • 2022-present: Member, Euclid Working Groups on AGNs and Strong Lensing
  • 2016-present: Senior Researcher (Dirigente di Ricerca), INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri
  • 2015-present: Coordinator, MOONS WG1 "ISM and SF galaxies", ESO Science Team
  • 2013-present: Coordinator, INAF GTO with ESO/ERIS, Member of ERIS Science Team
  • 2012-2017: Director, Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Florence, Italy
  • 2016-2018: Member, ESO Observing Programmes Committee (OPC)
  • 2010-present: Member, Euclid Consortium

Students & Mentoring

Throughout my career, I have supervised and mentored numerous students and young researchers. I have guided 13 master's and PhD students, along with 9 postdoctoral researchers. The vast majority of my former students are now active researchers in astrophysics, with four having secured permanent academic positions.
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