Identity card What or who directed you to your field of activity?
To put it a whole series of events. My high school science teacher, Enzo Pellegrini (who if he ever reads this newsletter I hope he remembers me), made me passionate about Earth Sciences, a little less about chemistry. Then at 18 I didn't have very clear ideas, I chose Geology, but I was also undecided between Mathematics and Physics. The seismic sequence of Colfiorito "woke up" me, from there I never stopped studying earthquakes.
And in childhood dreams how did you imagine yourself?
I went through various phases, some common to all I imagine, others perhaps less so: astronaut, hairdresser, soccer player.
And today, what is the thing that fascinates you the most between a shooting star, Ronaldo's always impeccable forelock and a bicycle kick goal with your non-dominant foot?
Ronaldo's forelock and the bicycle kick goal are almost equal... but I choose Ronaldo's forelock because I'm Juventino.
Was there a reference myth that inspired you?
No, but I have a certain admiration for those who courageously defend human rights, for example Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Malala Yousafzai and, why not, Greta Thunberg and Simone, the boy from Torre Maura who has recently risen to media prominence . At 15 I didn't have that courage. And neither is that head.
What was the most exciting moment of your career?
It will arrive soon I hope: I look forward to seeing the new seismic hazard model for Italy published and perhaps used by engineers. But also having represented the researchers of the Centers of Competence of the Civil Protection Department, in a recent papal audience, was sincerely a great satisfaction.
Is it difficult to reconcile research work with private life?
In everyday life, unfortunately, yes. I live in Chieti and work in L'Aquila, I am a commuter with all the consequences of the case. I go out in the morning long before my kids wake up, I come back when the day is ending. I often stay away from home for business trips, conferences, workshops. It's an aspect of my job that I really like, but it creates quite a few problems in my private life.
And how do you tell your children about your job, which takes you away from home?
It wasn't easy to tell my children about the work I do, so I took them with me. They accompanied me to New Zealand, to Malta, they attended some conferences and in this way they understood the father, in his research work, he very often has to do with colleagues from all over the world and it is a very important part of his work, enjoyable but tiring. Sometimes when I leave they are sad, but they know that when it's possible I always take them with me and every time it's a great adventure.
What do you think you would have become if you hadn't been a researcher?
The science teacher.
And what would you have answered to a listless 13-year-old student to the question: but what is it for studying science?
I would tell him that studying science is always useful, because it allows you to understand how the Earth and Space work, find an answer to those questions like "where do we come from?", "How did we get to be who we are today?". I would also tell him that studying geology is beautiful in that it allows us to understand our landscape, how it came to be as we see it today. These are questions we all ask ourselves when we go for a walk, lazy or not, and having a few more answers than the others is "cool".
In your opinion, what is the scientific discovery that would change the history of seismology?
It's hard to say, there are many aspects of seismology that we need to understand better, I don't know what could be the discovery that would change its history, maybe we're studying it and we don't know it yet. Among the topics that I believe could be relevant for the future, I would say understanding the nature and spatio-temporal evolution of seismogenic faults.
What would you have liked to discover, among the discoveries of the past?
Well, the Theory of Relativity.
Why exactly relativity? What fascinates you about Einstein's discovery?
Because it is one of those theories that can be defined as "global" as it brings together different fields and at the same time is extremely fascinating in its simplicity.
Have you ever thought about giving up research?
Yes, there have been times when I've said "that's it, I'm leaving everything, it's too frustrating". But fortunately there have been colleagues and new research that have rekindled my passion.
What's your X-Factor?
Being able to frame things from the right perspective and, often, resize them. But if I could pick an X-factor, Wolverine's wouldn't be bad.
Wolverine's main power is to regenerate body tissues, what would you change about your body that is no longer there or that you don't like so much?
Um... a pair of biceps? My daughter always asks me...
Is there something that makes you anxious?
Yes, the overlapping of deadlines.
Listen to the music?
Absolutely. Is there anyone who doesn't? Queen, Pink Floyd, Litfiba, Vasco, Deep Purple, Rino Gaetano, Pino Daniele, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, De Gegori, De Andrè, The Doors, PFM, Ed Sheeran, Muse, U2, Bon Jovi, John Legend, Beatles & Rolling Stones, Negrita, Iron Maiden, Dylan, Bob Marley, Samuele Bersani…and I will surely have forgotten many others.
Why is “amber” your favorite color?
A good beer often has that color.
What's your favorite book?
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
What struck you most about the story?
The life "lived dangerously" of the protagonist or his final awareness that, in the end, good always pays off? In reality it is precisely the way in which the protagonist deals with this life experience, his way of living this adventure in a daring way. He gets completely involved in the Indian way of life, he makes us smell those perfumes, he makes us see those places .. it's India from another point of view. I like it because when I travel, in my small way, I always try to immerse myself in the place where I go.
If you had to remember one of your "first days" which one would you remember?
Easy, the first day as a dad. And also the “second first day”.
What do you do when you're not a researcher?
Apart from the fact that it is very difficult not to "be" a researcher, in practice observing, understanding, asking doubts and questions is a constant! But when I manage to disconnect, I usually go to the athletics field to follow the Tethys guys, they're super smart but certainly not thanks to me. I like walking, playing sports, accompanying my children Vittoria and Riccardo, going out with my wife Francesca, beer, good wine, being with friends.
You are also a sportsman then! What activity do you do?
To tell the truth two years ago I took the athletics instructor license and today I am an instructor. In Chieti I train the guys from the Tethys sports club at the stadium.
What makes you feel good?
Knowing that I can stop, take a break and go and relax, maybe go to the beach or out to dinner with friends. It's not so obvious nowadays.
Your best luck?
Is it obvious to say parents and siblings? For the rest, I think we are all a bit the architects of our fortunes, but you don't choose parents and siblings, and mine are fantastic!
Do you have a hobby?
Tens! I get passionate easily, but guitar and bridge have been two great loves. Now I love being an athletics instructor.
What is your possible mission?
Contribute to seismic prevention.
Favourite sport?
Football, beach volleyball, volleyball and athletics. The order depends on the days.
Can it never be missing in your suitcase?
A camera.
Which photograph are you proud of?
I love photographing people and the photo I'm most proud of is a shot of my son doing athletics... and he has a very focused gaze.
And instead, what are you doing in the photograph that represents you and that you wish had never been taken?
I'm shaving which I haven't done for many years and which I don't think I will ever again... and I only had a mustache left.
The trip you haven't taken yet and the one you think you'll never take?
I would like to be able to go to Burundi for a few months, to teach science and sports. Sixteen years ago, for the wedding, Francesca and I asked the guests to make a donation to build a sports field there. And I don't think I'll ever go to the Australian Outback: have you ever seen “Deadly 60”?
And then? Were you able to build the sports field?
Yes, it was built! It's a small field, I would love to see photos of some kids playing on it.
Do you have a place of the heart?
Chieti, my city... and I'm sorry to see it so abandoned.
One thing you understood “when you grew up”?
That no choice is ever simple, that life is never black or white.
A quality that you recognize in the female gender and one in the male gender?
This is a bad question! Of the male gender I recognize the ability to work as a team, in general problems, even differences in character, are dealt with immediately, perhaps with little tact, but clearly. Of the female gender the ability to adapt, knowing how to be understanding, intelligent and resolute. Last but not least, knowing how to recognize all those colors… I use primary colors at most.
What do you keep from your childhood?
My uncle Massimiliano keeps a Pinocchio puppet, he puts it under the Christmas tree every year, I think he's my age. I try to go back to the light-heartedness of my childhood whenever I can and I must say that as an adult, knowing how to have fun like when you were a child is a great advantage.
Last question: the song you would never stop listening to?
Travels and Mirages by Francesco De Gregori. Maybe it won't be his most beautiful song, but it has a fantastic line: "When we realize tomorrow, that nothing ever comes back, but finally we will accept it as a victory".