Nato a Roma, il 04-01-1955, residente a Sacrofano (Roma), laurea in Scienze Biologiche (1980), ha lavorato per 10 anni (1982-1991) come Research Entomologist presso il USDA-ARS Biological Control of Weeds Laboratory, Roma, su programmi di lotta biologica a piante infestanti alloctone mediante l’utilizzo di insetti fitofagi specifici.
Dal 1992 ad oggi lavora come Primo Ricercatore Entomologo presso l’ENEA C. R. Casaccia, nell’Unità Tecnico-Scientifica SSPT-BIOAG-PROBIO, dove svolge attività di ricerca nel campo della lotta biologica e integrata ad artropodi e piante infestanti nocivi all’agricoltura, all’ambiente e alla salute dell’uomo.
Dal 2000 è il Research Leader della Fondazione “Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency” (BBCA-onlus).
Negli ultimi 10 anni ha svolto attività di ricerca nel campo della lotta biologica e integrata, mediante collaborazioni ufficiali con: USDA-ARS, CABI, IAEA, CDFA, FAO, e diverse Università e Centri di Ricerca italiane ed internazionali.
Dall’ottobre 2014 è membro dell’Accademia Nazionale di Entomologia in qualità di Accademico Straordinario.
Dall’ottobre 2018 è docente del corso semestrale di Entomologia Applicata del corso di laurea magistrale in Ecobiologia, presso l’Università La Sapienza di Roma.
Principali interessi scientifici: Lotta Biologica classica (piante infestanti e artropodi);Bio- pesticidi; SIT (tecnica insetto sterile); Semiochimici e monitoraggio.

Musmeci S., Belvedere S., Sasso R., Arnone S., Cristofaro M., Nobili P., La Marca A., De Biase A., 2018. Last-male sperm precedence in Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier): observations in laboratory mating experiments with irradiated males. Bull Entomol Res, 3: 1-9
Schaffner U., Smith, L., Cristofaro M., 2018. A review of open-field host range testing to evaluate non-target use by herbivorous biological control candidates. BioControl. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-9875-7
Smith L., Cristofaro M., Bon M.C., De Biase A., Petanović R., Vidović B., 2018. The importance of cryptic species and subspecific populations in classic biological control of weeds: a North American perspective. BioControl:1-9
A. Cimmino, F. Freda, E. Santoro, S. Superchi, A. Evidente, M. Cristofaro & M. Masi, 2019. -Costic acid, a plant sesquiterpene with acaricidal activity against Varroa destructor parasitizing the honey bee. Natural Product Research, ISSN: 1478-6419 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1652291
M. Cristofaro, G. Roselli, F. Marini, E. de Lillo, R.U. Petanovic, B. Vidovic, M. Augé & B.G. Rector, 2020. Open field evaluation of Aculodes altamurgensis, a recently described eriophyid species associated with medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Biocontrol Science and Technology, DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2019.1711021

Born in Rome, on January 04,1955, leaving in Sacrofano (Rome), Degree in Biology (1980), he worked for 10 years (1982-1991) as Research Entomologist for the USDA-ARS Biological Control of Weeds Laboratory, Rome, on projects of Biological control of alien weeds by using co-evolved phytophagous specific organisms.
Since 1992 he is employed as Senior Research Entomologist at the Italian Agency ENEA C. R. Casaccia, Dept. SSPT-BIOAG-PROBIO, where is carrying out research activities associated to Biological and integrated control of insect pests and weeds. harmful in agricultural crops, in the environment and for the human health.
Since 2000 he is the Research Leader of the Foundation “Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency” (BBCA-onlus).
During the past 10 years he carried out research activities in the domain of biological and integrated control of weeds and pests, by developing formal co-operations with: USDA-ARS, CABI, IAEA, CDFA, FAO, and different National and International Universities and Research Centers.
Since October 2018, he is teaching Applied Entomology for the Masters Course of Eco-Biology, at the University La Sapienza of Rome.
Scientific interests: Classical Biological Control (weeds and pests); Bio-pesticides
SIT (Sterile Insect Technique); Semiochemicals and monitoring.

Musmeci S., Belvedere S., Sasso R., Arnone S., Cristofaro M., Nobili P., La Marca A., De Biase A., 2018. Last-male sperm precedence in Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier): observations in laboratory mating experiments with irradiated males. Bull Entomol Res, 3: 1-9
Schaffner U., Smith, L., Cristofaro M., 2018. A review of open-field host range testing to evaluate non-target use by herbivorous biological control candidates. BioControl. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-9875-7
Smith L., Cristofaro M., Bon M.C., De Biase A., Petanović R., Vidović B., 2018. The importance of cryptic species and subspecific populations in classic biological control of weeds: a North American perspective. BioControl:1-9
A. Cimmino, F. Freda, E. Santoro, S. Superchi, A. Evidente, M. Cristofaro & M. Masi, 2019. -Costic acid, a plant sesquiterpene with acaricidal activity against Varroa destructor parasitizing the honey bee. Natural Product Research, ISSN: 1478-6419 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1652291
M. Cristofaro, G. Roselli, F. Marini, E. de Lillo, R.U. Petanovic, B. Vidovic, M. Augé & B.G. Rector, 2020. Open field evaluation of Aculodes altamurgensis, a recently described eriophyid species associated with medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Biocontrol Science and Technology, DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2019.1711021