Cynthia Caruso

Identity card

"Hands up! I'm Commander Cinzia Caruso!"

Volcanic, with a head hungry for science, our Cinzia dreamed of a leadership role in the police force as a child. We could have said it all… and she, on the other hand, for 14 years she acted in the theater and even founded a theater company. Her aptitude for leadership has remained with her and this could be an advantage for her career, because she combines optimism (also for the future, which these days is pure gold...) with a sociability that releases energy positive. Let's go and discover Cinzia Caruso, mother, researcher, actress… and much more!

What or who brought you closer to the world of science? 

All thanks to my father! There was no lunch or dinner that did not end with a "scientific dispute". Two glorious heads for whom everything was science and everything was a reason for comparison and sometimes discussion. Mediating our long and heated debates was and still is my mother, who punctually pulled out the old volumes of the encyclopedia! Let me be clear, over the years we have not calmed down at all, indeed, the recurring themes continue to be chemistry, mathematics, physics and biology! I won't reveal who between the two always had the upper hand!

Was he also involved in science?

No, my father is a non-commissioned officer in the Guardia di Finanza. However, he claims that if he hadn't enlisted he would have wanted to take a path related to the natural sciences.

As a child, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?

I wanted to enlist, I wanted to become the "commander" in some law enforcement agency

Do you feel you have the “management” attitude?

Challenging question, today I can say that one of my life philosophies is to always aim high, constantly setting myself new goals and objectives to achieve, in my opinion it is a form of self-motivation. Goals exist to be achieved. Who knows maybe one day life will take me to the top floors, and only then will I be able to answer this question.

What subjects were you passionate about at school? 

I loved math and all science subjects. A game I played as a child was to add up all the numbers I saw around, license plates, telephone numbers, dates of birth. What's more, I counted everything…my mother made me peel my peas, and I counted them

What teenager were you?

I could define myself with three adjectives: sociable, volcanic and eclectic. I was always involved in many activities (not necessarily related to each other), I was part of the church and school choir, I was a majorette in the village band and I even acted for many years in a theater company.

Has the theater ever been a path to follow…even just as a hobby?

In reality, the theater was more than a hobby for me, I "walked the stage" for 14 years, I was co-founder of the theater company for which I acted, then unfortunately I had to hang up "the mask". But one day I hope to be able to return to cultivate this passion of mine.

Was there a reference "myth" that inspired you? 

No "myth", perhaps the inspiration was dictated more by adventure films and books. “20.000 leagues under the sea” was the first videotape we bought. The story of this underwater life captured me and fascinated me.

Where did you graduate and what memories do you have of your university career? 

I graduated in Natural Sciences in Messina, in the three years I took the address of Volcanology and volcanic survey. I have fond memories of my university days, in my degree course there were just over 12 of us, it was like having stayed in high school, but with somewhat different rules and with greater freedom of study.

What do you remember about that period?

I remember carefree years, which maybe I didn't enjoy much, because unfortunately life is always a race against time.

The most exciting moment of your career? 

The first time I dived in the hydrothermal system off the island of Panarea, with my colleagues from INGV in Palermo. A dive near the islet of Bottaro at a depth of 8 metres. When I saw all those bubbles, my mouth was… closed, I was under water. It was undoubtedly one of the most exciting experiences of my life. 

But the most emotional moment in your private life? 

The most exciting moment of my life has two crystalline eyes and is called Constance. Giving birth to my baby girl is the most beautiful thing I could do in my life.

How do you imagine your daughter's future in such a difficult present?

I am convinced that my daughter's generation will succeed in the enterprise in which our generation is messing around, that is a better future, made up of people who are more respectful of the environment and of humanity. I believe that today's little ones, having lived through these bad times, will treasure them and invest in something beautiful and positive.

What do you think you would have become if you hadn't been a researcher?

I probably would have pursued the dream of being part of the special body of the Scientific Police.

How long have you been at INGV?

Since 2006, with various types of contracts

What's the first thing you do when you get home? 

I give my daughter some cuddles. And then I "try" to fix the house

How did you experience this lockdown period?

Not very well. A whirlwind of emotions (not always positive) and so much fear. I felt like my hands were tied and unable to do anything to get out of this situation.

What helped you through that period and also what we continue to experience today?

My being positive. I am confident in science and medicine which always makes great strides. We will rise like the phoenix from its ashes.

What is, in your opinion, the scientific discovery that would change the history of science? 

To date I would say a cure for all ills, perhaps with a simple intervention in the DNA, the replacement of a sequence to put an end to any disease ..... a dream.

A city you've visited that has remained in your heart and one you've always dreamed of moving to? 

I am a great traveler and many cities, hamlets, landscapes and environments have remained in my heart. But perhaps I have yet to find the one that takes my breath away, which is why I have to keep travelling. 

I would love to live on a small island (since I already live on a large one anyway) at a slow pace, in contact with nature.

What have been your best trips? 

I have the great fortune to travel a lot both for work and for leisure with my family. I always have the impression that I have traveled very little. I would always be around. Undoubtedly the most beautiful trip was the one on the Nile with my sister, it is really true that Africa remains in your heart, the Egyptians are right to consider the Nile a deity, it is reductive to define it as a simple river, as Wilbur Smith says "it is solemn and great,” it touches your soul.

What would you have liked to discover, among the discoveries of the past? 

Geographical discoveries, I would have liked to make cartographies. Travel and outline the continents.

What is your main concern?

I am afraid for the health of my loved ones. It worries me to think that they may have physical problems, whether or not they can be solved.

The conversation you've never had and would have liked to have…with whom?

If I could go back in time I would like to have a chat with Leonardo Da Vinci, a genius. I would pay gold to be able to have a chat with him or even more simply to see him in action. 

As a researcher, is everything always explicable?

Not everything is always explicable, but by studying and thinking about it everything could become explicable

Your promise kept and the one you failed to keep…

I almost never promise anything, because I don't like letting people down if I don't keep my promise. If I promise it's only because I know I'll keep that promise

What's your X-Factor? 

I believe in always being positive and sunny, rarely something gets me down. I always see the glass as half full and even in the most complicated situations, I find a reason to smile and the strength to find a solution

You like sport? 

Absolutely not

Have you ever practiced any? 

I have tried millions of sports, volleyball, cycling, cross country, normal running, high jump, parallel bars, dance….etc….I am poor at all. 

Listen to the music? 

How can you live without music? Our life is punctuated by music, I couldn't imagine myself without it. 

What's your favorite genre? 

Both Pop and Rock depends on the mood

Favourite book? 

I read a lot. My library is huge and ranges between genres. More than a book I have a favorite author of whom I have read many books "Clive Cussler", for fans of underwater adventures.

If you had to remember one of your "first days" which one would you remember? 

Every “first day” of mine has always been filled with so many emotions, both positive and negative. When I start something I'm always lively, bubbly, full of energy, but also full of tensions and fears. So I bring them all together, I don't have one in particular. 

What do you do when you are not at work? 

I dedicate my free time to my family. We often go on trips out of town with them, I often go to visit my loved ones who don't live in the same city as me, we play, we have fun, all linked by a single common thread, having fun.

Do you have a place of the heart?

My land, my Sicily. Impossible not to love her.

Your best luck? 

My family. They are my safe haven, I know I can always count on them. The work as a researcher is particularly demanding and we frequently live with a suitcase in hand and for long periods away from home. It's not easy to manage business trips, being a mom. But I have had the great fortune to receive the support of my family who support me through and through. They have always urged and pushed me to pursue my dreams and my career and I am grateful for that.

It can never be missing in your suitcase? 

My red lipstick

Are you more sweet or savory in the kitchen? 

Both, I love to eat even though I always try to diet

Favorite dish? 

Tiramisù

Do you like cooking? 

Yes, but not always. I must admit, however, that I am quite good in the kitchen.

One thing you understood “when you grew up”? 

I'll let you know when I grow up!!! In any case, now I understand and perceive any kind of feeling and sensation better, it's easy to see a few tears of emotion fall from me.

What do you keep from your childhood? 

Thanks to my family I have so many happy and fun memories. 

Last question: what is the song that you would never stop listening to? 

A Coldplay song that I adore is "Something just like this" and then more than songs they are two songs that give me wonderful emotions: Becoming Human by Ryan Taubert and Experience by Ludovico Einaudi