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Professional Profile

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Profile, education and professional experience

Profilo professionale

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Profilo, formazione ed esperienza professionale

Il Piacere di pensare

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Il dibattito sull’Intelligenza Artificiale nella ricerca scientifica sta diventando sempre più interessante. E, credo, sempre più importante. Non riguarda soltanto quanto l’AI sia capace di risolvere problemi, di produrre codice, dimostrare teoremi o analizzare quantità di informazioni che un essere umano non potrebbe affrontare negli stessi tempi. Riguarda anche, e forse soprattutto, il nostro rapporto con la conoscenza.

Quanto conta che un sistema di AI riesca a produrre qualcosa più velocemente di noi, se poi quel qualcosa non può essere realmente compreso, manipolato, riutilizzato e trasformato dagli esseri umani? E ancora: l’obiettivo della ricerca è semplicemente aumentare la produzione? Più articoli, più teoremi, più codice, più risultati? Oppure esiste una dimensione della conoscenza che riguarda anche il percorso attraverso il quale la costruiamo: la comprensione, l’intuizione, il confronto con gli altri, il tempo trascorso su un problema e, in senso più ampio, il fiorire dell’essere umano attraverso l’attività intellettuale?

A new bridge between AI agents and seismological data: mcp-fdsnws-event

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Our SoftwareX paper introducing mcp-fdsnws-event, an MCP gateway for querying FDSNWS-Event services from AI agents, is now out.

A new bridge between AI agents and seismological data: mcp-fdsnws-event

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

È uscito su SoftwareX il paper che presenta mcp-fdsnws-event, un gateway MCP per interrogare servizi FDSNWS-Event da agenti AI.

Are Artificial Intelligences Really Intelligent?

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What generative artificial intelligence can teach us about machines, intelligence and, perhaps, ourselves.

Le intelligenze artificiali sono davvero intelligenti?

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Che cosa l’intelligenza artificiale generativa può insegnarci sulle macchine, sull’intelligenza e, forse, su noi stessi.

Can Europe Build Truly Sovereign AI?

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Why trustworthy scientific AI requires researcher-curated knowledge, institutional governance, and sovereign infrastructure.

L'Europa può costruire un'Intelligenza Artificiale davvero sovrana?

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Perché un'AI scientifica affidabile richiede conoscenza curata dai ricercatori, governance istituzionale e infrastrutture sovrane.

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Applications, Foundations, and Ethical Challenges

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I am pleased to share an introduction to the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), exploring its applications in everyday life as well as in scientific and technological contexts.

The seminar examines the fundamental principles that guide AI development, with a focus on advanced technologies such as Machine Learning and Deep Learning, and discusses the differences between generative and traditional AI. It also offers space for reflection on the ethical and environmental aspects of AI use, in line with the European regulatory framework and the challenges ahead.

Introduzione all’Intelligenza Artificiale Applicazioni, Fondamenti e Sfide Etiche

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Ho il piacere di presentarvi un’introduzione al mondo dell’Intelligenza Artificiale (AI), che esplora le applicazioni nella vita quotidiana e nei contesti scientifici e tecnologici.

Nel seminario vengono approfonditi i principi fondamentali che guidano lo sviluppo dell’AI, con un focus su tecnologie avanzate come il Machine Learning e il Deep Learning, e sono analizzate le differenze tra AI generativa e tradizionale. Il contributo fornisce inoltre uno spazio di riflessione sugli aspetti etici e ambientali legati all’uso delle AI, in linea con il quadro normativo europeo e le sfide del futuro.

Nuova sezione News

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Avvio della sezione News per condividere aggiornamenti tecnici e progettuali.

Innovation in Earth Science: the EPOS Data Portal

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In November 2023, Nature Scientific Data published a scientific article presenting the data integration and computer science work that I carried out over the last 10 years together with a team of truly excellent colleagues. The article presents an initiative that is changing the way we approach Earth-science research in Europe: the EPOS Data Portal. In this post, I will explain in accessible terms what makes this multidisciplinary platform so special.

The European Plate Observing System (EPOS) is not just an international initiative; it is a vision that is redefining Earth science in Europe. This pioneering research infrastructure has built a unique collaborative environment where the sharing and use of scientific data are encouraged, supported, and carefully managed. Open Data, in its purest spirit, allows everyone, scientists, policy makers, experts, and citizens, to access information freely. By adhering to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), EPOS is becoming a European reference point and a symbol of open and interoperable access to data. This approach not only opens new doors to knowledge, but is also a fundamental step toward more inclusive, collaborative, and innovative scientific research.

L'Innovazione nel Mondo della Scienza della Terra: Il Portale Dati EPOS

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Nel mese di Novembre 2023 è stato pubblicato su Nature Scientific Data, un articolo scientifico che presenta il lavoro di Data Integration e Computer Science che, insieme ad un team di colleghi davvero bravi, ho effettuato negli ultimi 10 anni. L’articolo presenta un’iniziativa che sta cambiando il modo in cui affrontiamo la ricerca scientifica sulla Terra in Europa: il Portale Dati EPOS. In questo post, vi racconterò in modo accessibile cosa rende questa piattaforma multidisciplinare così speciale.

Unlocking True Interoperability in Solid Earth Science: A Deep Dive into Metadata, Semantics, and Web Services

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

I am pleased to share my latest paper, “Integrated access to multidisciplinary data through semantically interoperable services in a metadata-driven platform for Solid Earth Science.” The paper examines an innovative approach that combines metadata, semantics, and web services to achieve seamless data interoperability.

A key discovery highlighted in the paper is the pivotal role of semantics at the data discovery level. The queries received by the main data integration system are mapped to specific queries using the semantic information associated with the data source. This ensures that data from various sources can be visualized in a unified format, enhancing the user experience. Link to the paper for detailed insights

Unlocking True Interoperability in Solid Earth Science: A Deep Dive into Metadata, Semantics, and Web Services

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

I’m thrilled to share my latest paper titled “Integrated access to multidisciplinary data through semantically interoperable services in a metadata-driven platform for Solid Earth Science.” This paper delves deep into the innovative approach of combining metadata, semantics, and web services to achieve seamless data interoperability.

The Agile Shape-up method for collaborative developments in international contexts:a lean approach for EPOS

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This presentation, originally prepared in early 2020, describes an innovative Agile approach for enabling collaborative software development in international, distributed teams. It is particularly suited to EU projects and other international working groups. Please download the presentation, as it includes animations.

The Agile Shape-up method for collaborative developments in international contexts:a lean approach for EPOS

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The presentation, dating back to early 2020, shows an innovative Agile approach to enabling software development collaborations in international, distributed teams. Optimal for collaboration in EU projects and other international teams. Please download the presentation as it contains animations.

European Open Science Cloud (EOSC): Key Challenges and Opportunities for the Future of EU Research

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The EU is ideally positioned to take a global leadership role in the development of a cloud environment for science. The European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) will be the virtual environment where multidisciplinary data, access infrastructures, and computing resources are made available to researchers and private-sector actors.

Europe has long promoted the sharing of scientific research data, which should be remembered as an investment on which national governments and the European Community are spending substantial resources, in the order of billions of euros.

European Open Science Cloud (EOSC): sfide e opportunità cruciali per il futuro della ricerca Ue

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

L’Ue è nella posizione ideale per assumere un ruolo guida a livello mondiale nello sviluppo di un cloud in ambito scientifico. Lo European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) sarà l’ambiente virtuale dove dati multidisciplinari, infrastrutture per l’accesso e per il calcolo verranno rese disponibili a ricercatori e privati

L’Europa promuove da sempre la condivisione dei dati della ricerca scientifica che – ricordiamolo – sono un investimento su cui gli Stati nazionali e la Comunità europea stanno puntando cifre elevate, nell’ordine di miliardi di euro.

What is EPOS? 4 Publications to get a grasp on what EPOS ERIC is and does

Tue, 10 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

I have been often asked by people outside of my domain what is my job.

As many jobs in the IT domain, it is a little bit difficult to explain what we do: it is quite technical and abstract. It has to do with structures that do not exist in reality. It has to do with planning, with considering sustainability of the envisaged activities. We work with bits, code, data structures, metadata, with management of huge IT objects and initiatives.

What is EPOS? 4 Publications to get a grasp on what EPOS ERIC is and does

Tue, 10 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

I have been often asked by people outside of my domain what is my job.

INGV assume 3 tecnici informatici per piattaforma EPOS

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

3 Posizioni Aperte

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

EPOS – European Plate Observing system

Stiamo cercando tre figure professionali di tecnico informatico per collaborare alla realizzazione di un’infrastruttura di ricerca europea innovativa con l’obiettivo di integrare dati delle scienze della Terra solida (https://www.epos-eu.org/). L’integrazione avviene tramite una piattaforma, l’EPOS Data Portal, che permette di ricercare, scaricare e analizzare dati delle comunità scientifiche da un’unica piattaforma e interfaccia web basata su mappa, con dati geolocalizzati.

INGV Is Hiring 3 IT Technicians for the EPOS Platform

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

3 Open Positions

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

EPOS – European Plate Observing system

We are looking for three IT technician profiles to contribute to the development of an innovative European research infrastructure aimed at integrating data from the solid Earth sciences (https://www.epos-eu.org/). Integration takes place through the EPOS Data Portal, a platform that allows users to search, download, and analyze data from scientific communities through a single map-based web interface using geolocated data.

Managing collaborative software developments in International Initiatives: how to optimize resources and time.

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Facing reality

There is a truth that we are all reluctant to admit: many EU funded initiatives in the research domain aim at producing software-related deliverables, but when coming to the real day-to-day work, releasing even small piece of working software is very challenging. Project partners have different approaches, different technical practices, different off-the-shelf software products that need to be harmonized or sometimes divergent ideas and different cultural backgrounds. That’s the beauty and the challenge of EU initiatives. COVID-19 made things even worse by hindering the possibility of having face to face meetings, where - everybody knows but just a few people say it – agreements and decisions are taken in “social” contexts (yes, I mean coffee breaks and working dinners).

Managing collaborative software developments in International Initiatives: how to optimize resources and time.

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Facing reality

EPOS Data Portal: a FAIR Platform for Access to Multidisciplinary Data and Services in Solid Earth Sciences

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

There are moments when, sometimes almost unexpectedly, you find yourself taking stock of all the work done in previous years.

That kind of meticulous work, made of small daily refinements and microscopic steps forward that you may not even notice. In fact, sometimes it feels as if you are standing still. Then opportunities arrive when… BOOM… everything is illuminated by a new light and the puzzle comes together.

What emerges is a beautiful mosaic, with thousands of tiny tiles placed with patience and consistency.

EPOS Data Portal: una piattaforma FAIR per l'accesso a dati e servizi multidisciplinari delle Scienze della Terra solida

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Arrivano dei momenti in cui, magari in maniera quasi inaspettata, ci si ritrova a tirare le somme di tutto il lavoro fatto negli anni precedenti.

Quel tipo di lavoro certosino, fatto di piccole limature quotidiane, di microscopici avanzamenti di cui forse nemmeno ci si rende conto. Anzi, a volte sembra di rimanere fermi. Poi arrivano queste occasioni in cui…. BUMM…. tutto viene illuminato da una nuova luce e il puzzle si ricompone.

The three components to ENVRI-hub success

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Interview with Daniele Bailo, Zhiming Zhao, and Ari Asmi, who explain the key components forming the ENVRI-hub: the ENVRI Catalogue of Services, the ENVRI Knowledge Base, and the ENVRI Use Cases.

Daniele, can you explain in more detail why
these three components are crucial to the ENVRI-hub?

Daniele: These are three distinct but complementary
elements used as containers to support the provision of
heterogeneous datasets, services, and software within
ENVRI.

The three components to ENVRI-hub success

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Interview with Daniele Bailo, Zhiming Zhao, and Ari Asmi who explain to you the key components forming the ENVRI-hub – the ENVRI Catalogue of Services, ENVRI Knowledge Base and ENVRI Use Cases.

Daniele, can you explain a little bit more in detail what
are these three components crucial to ENVRI-hub?

Daniele: These are three distinct but complementary
elements used as containers to convey the provision of
heterogeneous datasets, services, and software in
ENVRI.

F.A.I.R. Principles and Data: What Are They, and Why Do We Need Them?

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

For the last few years, let us say about three, people in my field have often talked about the F.A.I.R. principles: loved by European officials, regarded with suspicion by computer engineers, partly approved by scientists. These principles have a significant impact on research areas that in some way deal with data and data sharing.

Question: which area of research has nothing to do with data and their distribution? Answer: almost none. Logical inference: the FAIR principles, whether we say “great!” or “alas”, concern almost all researchers.

Principi e Dati F.A.I.R.: cosa sono? (Perché) ne abbiamo bisogno?

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Da qualche anno a questa parte - diciamo circa tre anni - nel mio ambito si sente spesso parlare dei principi F.A.I.R: amati dai funzionari Europei, guardati con sospetto dagli ingegneri informatici, approvati in parte dagli scienziati, questi principi hanno un consistente impatto negli ambiti della ricerca che in qualche modo hanno a che fare con i dati e la loro condivisione.

Domanda: quale ambito della ricerca non ha a che fare con i dati e loro distribuzione? Risposta: quasi nessuno. Inferenza logica: i principi FAIR (“evviva!" oppure “ahimé") riguardano un po’ tutti i ricercatori.

INGV assume 3 tecnici informatici su EPOS

Sun, 06 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0000

3 Posizioni Aperte

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

EPOS – European Plate Observing system

Stiamo cercando tre figure professionali di tecnico informatico per collaborare alla realizzazione di un’infrastruttura di ricerca europea innovativa con l’obiettivo di integrare dati e servizi nel dominio delle scienze della Terra solida. L’integrazione avviene tramite un sistema avanzato, gli Integrated Core Services (ICS), che permette di ricercare, scaricare e analizzare dati delle comunità scientifiche da un’unica piattaforma e interfaccia web basata su mappa, con dati geolocalizzati.

Il bando di concorso è finanziato dal progetto EPOS-MIUR, la durata del contratto è pari a un anno, con la possibilità di rinnovo. L’inquadramento avverrà nel profilo professionale di Collaboratore Tecnico Enti di Ricerca (livello VI). Il bando di concorso è stato pubblicato sulla Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 79 del 04.10.2019. Il testo completo è disponibile all’indirizzo:

http://istituto.ingv.it/it/amministrazionetrasparente/disposizioni-generali/atti-generali/atti-amministrativi-generali/decreti-e-delibere/anno-2019-1/decreti-del-direttore-degli-affari-amministrativi-e-del-personale-2/13061-n-475-concorso-pubblico-per-n-3-posti-di-cter-vi-livello-a-tempo-determinato-codice-bando-3cter-rm1-09-2019/file.html

E qui:

http://istituto.ingv.it/it/amministrazionetrasparente/bandi-di-concorso/concorsi-pubblici/tempo-determinato-2019.html

INGV Is Hiring 3 IT Technicians for EPOS

Sun, 06 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0000

3 Open Positions

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

EPOS – European Plate Observing system

We are looking for three IT technician profiles to contribute to the development of an innovative European research infrastructure aimed at integrating data and services in the domain of solid Earth sciences. Integration takes place through an advanced system, the Integrated Core Services (ICS), which allows users to search, download, and analyze data from scientific communities through a single map-based web platform and interface using geolocated data.

The call is funded by the EPOS-MIUR project. The contract duration is one year, with the possibility of renewal. The position will be classified under the professional profile of Collaboratore Tecnico Enti di Ricerca (level VI). The public call was published in the Italian Official Gazette no. 79 of 04.10.2019. The full text is available at:

And here:

http://istituto.ingv.it/it/amministrazionetrasparente/bandi-di-concorso/concorsi-pubblici/tempo-determinato-2019.html

EPOS Integrated Core Services Architecture Basics - TUTORIAL

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Bailo, Daniele; Paciello, Rossana

The presentation outlines the basics of the EPOS Integrated Core Services Central Hub, a system designed to integrate data, data products, software, and services provided by European data providers in the field of solid Earth sciences.

It presents the main architecture and discusses the underlying technological choices.

[slideshare id=154898130&doc=2019-190711094106&w=400&h=300]

EPOS Integrated Core Services Architecture Basics - TUTORIAL

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Bailo, Daniele; Paciello, Rossana

The presentation outlines the basics of the EPOS Integrated Core Services Central hub, a system for integrate Data, Data Products, Software and Services provided by European data providers in the domain of Solid Earth Sciences.

The main architecture is shown and the technological choices are presented and discussed.

[slideshare id=154898130&doc=2019-190711094106&w=400&h=300]

Tesi e Tirocini in contesto Europeo - Discipline informatiche

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Ti stai per laureare o sei prossimo al tirocinio e ti piacerebbe fare un’esperienza in un contesto dinamico e internazionale?

Dai uno sguardo alla proposta di Tirocinio e Tesi dello European Plate Observing System (EPOS).

EPOS - European Plate Observing system

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

EPOS (www.epos-eu.org) è una infrastruttura di ricerca europea innovativa che ha lo scopo di integrare dati e servizi nel dominio delle scienze della Terra solida. Si tratta di dati e servizi relativi a terremoti, eruzioni vulcaniche, deformazioni geodetiche, osservazioni satellitari e altro, che presentano un alto grado di eterogeneità in termini di tecnologie di data provision, formati e modalità di presentazione delle risorse. L’integrazione avviene tramite un sistema avanzato, gli Integrated Core Services (ICS), che permette di ricercare, scaricare e analizzare dati delle comunità specifiche da un’unica piattaforma e interfaccia web.

La proposta di collaborazione rivolta a tirocinanti e tesisti interessati all’utilizzo di tecnologie innovative, mira a contribuire all’ulteriore sviluppo e ottimizzazione del sistema Integrated Core Services, e si sviluppa nei seguenti temi:

database relazionali (PostgreSQL) e non relazionali (e.g. MongoDB);
sistemi basati sul paradigma dei Microservizi;
ottimizzazione e tuning del sistema e dei servizi;
creazione di moduli Java e Python per mapping e conversione di dati e metadati;
creazione e ottimizzazione interfacce grafiche con AngularJS;
integrazione semantica, sviluppo e ottimizzazione di estensioni di DCAT-AP.

Le attività da svolgere saranno concordate con lo studente sulla base degli argomenti di interesse.

Theses and Internships in a European Context - Computer Science and IT

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Are you about to graduate, or close to starting an internship, and would you like to gain experience in a dynamic international environment?

Take a look at the internship and thesis proposal from the European Plate Observing System (EPOS).

EPOS - European Plate Observing system

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia

EPOS (www.epos-eu.org) is an innovative European research infrastructure whose purpose is to integrate data and services in the domain of solid Earth sciences. These include data and services related to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, geodetic deformation, satellite observations, and more. They are highly heterogeneous in terms of data-provision technologies, formats, and ways of presenting resources. Integration is performed through an advanced system, the Integrated Core Services (ICS), which allows users to search, download, and analyze data from specific communities through a single web platform and interface.

This collaboration proposal is addressed to interns and thesis students interested in using innovative technologies. It aims to contribute to the further development and optimization of the Integrated Core Services system, and covers the following topics:

relational databases (PostgreSQL) and non-relational databases, for example MongoDB;
systems based on the microservices paradigm;
optimization and tuning of the system and services;
creation of Java and Python modules for mapping and converting data and metadata;
creation and optimization of graphical interfaces with AngularJS;
semantic integration, development, and optimization of DCAT-AP extensions.

The activities to be carried out will be agreed with the student based on their topics of interest.

Enhancing Research Infrastructures with VRE4EIC components: the EPOS success story

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000

(This article was originally written for VRE4EIC Newsletter. Follow this link to the original source).

The European Plate Observing System (EPOS) highlights how its research infrastructure has become more efficient and user friendly by utilizing technology developed in the frame of the EU H2020 VRE4EIC project.

In the last decades quite an amount of tools, technologies and software has been developed to support and improve research throughout the entire data lifecycle[1]. This includes software, modeling tools, and even code that can be used and re-used by researchers around the world. However, more and more emphasis has been given to the structural components that enable a Research Infrastructure[2] to be sustainable, robust and, even most importantly, compliant to the FAIR principles[3]. Such principles prescribe–in order to enable reproducible science–that data need to be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. It is usually up to research infrastructure designers, developers and managers to find the best architecture and technologies to enable FAIR to become reality in their scientific domain. However, looking transversally at science domains, it is clear that there is a number of challenges common to several communities, as evidenced by the common requirements elicitation and analysis of existing technical assets carried out both in the VRE4EIC and ENVRIplus project[4].

In this framework, VRE4EIC is promoting the adoption of common, standard technical solutions in order to facilitate Research Infrastructures in facing shared challenges and thus complying with FAIR principles.

This is the case of the European Plate Observing System (EPOS), a Distributed Research Infrastructure long-term plan to facilitate integrated use of data, data products, and facilities from distributed research infrastructures for solid Earth science in Europe.

Enhancing Research Infrastructures with VRE4EIC components: the EPOS success story

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000

(This article was originally written for VRE4EIC Newsletter. Follow this link to the original source).

The European Plate Observing System (EPOS) highlights how its research infrastructure has become more efficient and user friendly by utilizing technology developed in the frame of the EU H2020 VRE4EIC project.

In this framework, VRE4EIC is promoting the adoption of common, standard technical solutions in order to facilitate Research Infrastructures in facing shared challenges and thus complying with FAIR principles.

How Research Infrastructures can take advantage of interoperable VRE building blocks

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000

It feels a little strange: I am both proud of and slightly shy about the video we released in the framework of the VRE4EIC project.

It was funny: I had just landed at Schiphol airport and rushed to TU Delft University. I suddenly found myself at the New Media Center, in front of a camera, inside a soundproof studio with a bright green background, with a few people watching, or perhaps staring, from behind the soundproof glass. Then I had to start speaking with my southern European English accent. That was the embarrassing part.

How Research Infrastructures can take advantage of interoperable VRE building blocks

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Well, it’s weird: I’m at the same time proud and shy about the video we released in the framework of VRE4EIC project.

It was funny: I had just landed at Schipol airport and then rushed to TUDelft university… and I found myself at the New Media Center in front of a camera, in a soundproof studio with a bright-green background, just a few people watching (or staring at? :)) me behind the soundproof glass and I had to start talking with my south European English accent (that’s the embarrassing part :))

Come sgominare i parassiti statali

Sat, 21 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Sono recentemente tornato da Edimburgo, città che oltre ad essere piovosa e pittoresca, ha ospitato una conferenza sui Virtual Research Environments, argomento oscuro ai più e soprattutto impossibile da spiegare a nonna quando mi chiede «Ma di che parlate quando fate queste riunioni?». Ora, quando dico «nonna» non fate l’errore di immaginare una novantacinquenne mansueta e rimbambita. Lei è semplicemente la punta di diamante di una generazione che ha attraversato - rinforzandosi - una guerra, il sessantotto, il boom economico, canale cinque, Mike Buongiorno, le soap opera e Young Signorino: è sveglia, ha sempre la risposta pronta, impossibile da ingannare, abile nel raggirare, arduo piegarla alla propria volontà. In pratica un caterpillar. E’ su questi soggetti che dovrebbero fare i film. Robocop e i supereroi della Marvel a confronto sembrano verginelle alla prima notte di nozze.

How to Defeat State Parasites

Sat, 21 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I recently returned from Edinburgh, a city that, besides being rainy and picturesque, hosted a conference on Virtual Research Environments, a topic obscure to most people and, above all, impossible to explain to my grandmother when she asks: “What do you talk about at these meetings?” Now, when I say “grandmother”, do not make the mistake of imagining a meek, dazed ninety-five-year-old. She is simply the spearhead of a generation that has lived through, and grown stronger through, war, 1968, the economic boom, Canale 5, Mike Bongiorno, soap operas, and Young Signorino. She is sharp, always ready with an answer, impossible to deceive, skilled at outmaneuvering others, and hard to bend to anyone’s will. Basically, a bulldozer. These are the people they should make films about. Robocop and Marvel superheroes look like timid newlyweds by comparison.

New Paper: Establishing Core Concepts for Information-Powered Collaborations

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I am particularly proud to share this work, coordinated by Luca Trani. I hope it will pave the way for future developments and formal recognition of the EPOS-DCAT-AP extension.

New Paper: Establishing Core Concepts for Information-Powered Collaborations

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I’m particularly proud to share this nice work we did with the coordination of Luca Trani. I hope this will pave the way for future developments and official “acknowledgement” of the EPOS-DCAT-AP extension.

Virtual Research Environment, Science Gateways, Virtual Laboratories. What's the difference?

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

An active debate is underway, mainly among some of the major players in the field of Virtual Research Environments, including VRE4EIC and other European project teams. The discussion focuses on defining the commonalities and differences among Virtual Research Environments (VREs), Science Gateways (SGs) as used in North America, and Virtual Laboratories (VLs) as used in Australia_._

There is broad agreement on the definition of a VRE: it usually provides not only access to ICT services, data, software components, and equipment, but also a collaborative working environment for cooperation; it supports the research lifecycle from idea to publication, as well as research management and administration.

Virtual Research Environment, Science Gateways, Virtual Laboratories. What's the difference?

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

A debate is currently active, mostly between some of the major players in the field of Virtual Research Environments, i.e. VRE4EIC and other European project teams. They are trying to define commonalities and differences among Virtual Research Environments (VRE), Science Gateways (SG) as used in North America and Virtual Laboratories (VL) as used in Australia_._

A general agreement was found on the definition of a VRE, that usually provides not only access to ICT services, data, software components and equipment but also provides a collaborative working environment for cooperation and supports the research lifecycle from idea to publication while also supporting research management and administration.

Italia - España connection

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

This post is simply an homage to my new Spanish friends. The story is straightforward.

As often happens, I found myself in Brussels for work. This time it was only for one day, so I arrived the evening before the meeting and wandered around the city on my own. I went for a beer at the wonderful Delirium Café, where I met three Spanish people. It was very easy to start talking with them. We Italians and Spaniards do not usually have much trouble connecting with other people and starting a conversation. On the contrary, the problem is often making us stop talking, but that is another story.

Italia - España connection

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

This post is just an homage to my new Spanish friends. The story is pretty simple.

I’ve found myself in Brussels because of my job, as it often happens. This time it was for one day only, so I got to Brussels the evening before the meeting, and I was around, alone. I then went for a beer (at the wonderful Delirium Café ) were I stumbled upon 3 Spanish people. You know, it was quite simple to get in touch with them. We - the Italians - and the Spanishes don’t have any particular probelm in gettin in touch with others and talk (on the contrary, often the problem is to make us stop talking… but that’s another story…). So, to make the long story short, the three Spanishes were part of a bigger group, coming mainly from Madrid and Extremadura (Merida). A group of friends who - once each year - take some days off in the Carnival period and go to one European city. Wonderful! Simply wonderful. I could practice my Spanish (which is not dead actually, even though the real mystery remains: where the heck did I learn Spanish? I can’t remember… but it doesn’t matter…). In the end we had a dinner together, and they were so nice that they even offered the dinner. Great!

Science and Social Media - Part IV (the end)

Sat, 19 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

After looking in a previous post at some of the technological reasons behind the success of social networks, let us now consider what the new wealth of this social era is, and what opportunities and risks it creates for science.

4 The new wealth: data and the stream

In the scenario described so far, the new wealth consists partly of data and their ownership, and partly of the possibility of sharing them and keeping this continuous flow, the so-called stream, constantly updated. Data ownership can be fairly easily connected to economic wealth: statistical and IT tools for exploring data (data mining) make it possible to extract valuable information that can be used strategically in economic contexts. This action is also promoted at intercontinental level, in the United States and Europe, through initiatives that spread open data policies, meaning policies that encourage opening data to everyone. See the two Italian examples at national and regional level. The data flow, or stream, is equally valuable because it attracts a large number of users: this is what happens on Facebook when users check their wall for friends’ updates. This guarantees a constant user presence, to whom advertising messages can be delivered and who can also be directed toward content of interest, such as advertising or online shopping sites. In this context, we will focus on the aspects most closely related to science.

Scienza e social media - Part IV (the end)

Sat, 19 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Dopo aver visto in un post precedente alcuni dei motivi tecnologici successo dei social networks, vediamo ora quale sia la nuova ricchezza in questa era social, e quali siano le opportunità e i rischi per la scienza in questo scenario.

4 La nuova ricchezza: i dati e lo stream

Nello scenario sin qui mostrato, la nuova ricchezza è costituita quindi da una parte dai dati e dal loro possesso, dall’altra dalla possibilità di condividerli e di avere questo ‘flusso continuo’ (il cosiddetto ‘stream’) sempre aggiornato. Il possesso di dati può essere in maniera abbastanza semplice correlato ad una ricchezza economica: le possibilità offerte dagli strumenti statistici e informatici di esplorare i dati (data mining) permette infatti di trarre informazioni preziose utilizzabili strategicamente in ambito economico. Questa azione, tra l’altro, viene promossa a livello intercontinentale (Stati Uniti ed Europa) con azioni che tendono a diffondere le politiche di open data, ovvero politiche che favoriscono l’apertura a tutti di tutti i dati (si vedano i due esempi italiani, a livello nazionale e regionale). Il flusso dei dati (lo stream) è altrettanto prezioso poichè attrae una grande quantità di utenti: è quello che succede su facebook quando si consulta la propria “bacheca” in cerca delle novità degli amici. Questo garantisce quindi una presenza costante di utenti, a cui è possibile veicolare messaggi pubblicitari e che possono inoltre essere in un certo modo ‘indirizzati’ a contenuti di interesse (pubblicità, siti compravendita online ecc). In questo contesto prenderemo in esame gli aspetti più legati alla scienza.

Science and Social Media - Part III

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

After seeing in a previous post what social networks are and some of the social reasons behind their success, let us now look at some of the technological reasons for their enormous spread.

3 Technological reasons behind the success of social networks

The needs described above could find at least partial satisfaction also, and above all, thanks to a technological evolution unprecedented in human history, which made the spread of SNs possible through:

Scienza e social media - Part III

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Dopo aver visto in un post precedente cosa siano i social network ed alcuni dei motivi sociali del loro successo, vediamo ora alcuni delle ragioni tecnologiche della loro immensa diffusione.

3 Motivi tecnologici del successo dei Social Networks

I bisogni descritti sopra hanno potuto, tuttavia, trovare soddisfazione almeno parziale anche e soprattutto grazie all’evoluzione tecnologica senza precedenti nella storia dell’umanità, che ha reso possibile la diffusione dei SN per mezzo di:

Science and Social Media - Part II

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

After introducing the topic in a previous post, let us move to the core of the issue: what social networks are and the social reasons behind their success.

What is a social network?

A social network (SN from now on), or social network platform, is an IT platform generally accessible through the World Wide Web (www) that allows users and groups of users to interact by sharing information and data. These networks are usually thematic, for example dedicated to music, science, friendship, and so on, although the most widespread ones today, such as Facebook, tend to integrate different users and interests.

Scienza e social media - Part II

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Dopo aver introdotto l’argomento in un post precedente, passiamo al cuore del tema: cosa sono i social network ed i motivi sociali del loro successo.

Cos’è un social network

Un social network (SN da ora in poi), o rete sociale, è una piattaforma informatica generalmente accessibile tramite world wide web (www) che permette ad utenti e gruppi di utenti di interagire condividendo informazioni e dati. Tali reti sono normalmente tematiche (ad esempio dedicate alla musica, o alle scienze, o all’amcizia etc) anche se allo stato dell’arte le più diffuse, come facebook, tendono ad integrare utenti ed interessi diversi.

Science and Social Media - Part I

Sun, 13 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Just over ten years have passed since a Harvard University student laid the foundations for what, today, is the network almost automatically associated with the expression “social network”: Facebook.

M. Zuckerberg, the now former student and new millionaire, managed to become the spokesperson and interpreter of the social dimension of the web. In a relatively short time, especially when compared with the hundreds of thousands of years humanity needed to introduce technologies such as ironworking, this helped drive an enormous and widespread adoption of computers and, more specifically, of the web.

Scienza e social media - Part I

Sun, 13 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Sono passati poco più di dieci anni da quando uno studente della Harvard University ha gettato le basi per quello che - allo stato dell’arte - è il network che quasi automaticamente viene associato all’espressione “social network”: Facebook.

M.Zuckerberg - questo è il nome dell’oramai ex-studente, novello milionario - ha saputo farsi portavoce e interprete dell’aspetto sociale della rete, che ha favorito in un tempo relativamente ridotto, se paragonato alle centinaia di migliaia di anni che ci sono voluti all’uomo per introdurre ad esempio l’uso del ferro, una diffusione enorme e capillare dell’utilizzo dei computer e, più nello specifico, del web.

Communication and Dissemination for European Projects (#2)

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

In a previous post we introduced the importance of communication in the context of European-funded projects, and we defined three modules for establishing efficient communication:

A) Internal Communication Tools

B) Communication Activities

C) Website

After describing the tools for internal communication, we now address communication activities and the website.

Why do we need Communication activities?

They are the core of internal communication among project members and external communication with stakeholders. They define how the various actors in a project, including project members, scientists, external stakeholders, funding agencies, and citizens, communicate. They are usually described in the Communication Plan.

Communication and Dissemination for European Projects (#2)

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

In a previous post we introduced the importance of communication within the context of European funded Projects, and we defined three different modules to establish an efficient communication:

A) Internal Communication Tools

B) Communication Activities

C) Website

After describing the list of tools for internal communication, we will now deal with the Communication Activities and the website.

Why do we need Communication activities?

They are the core of internal (among project members) and external (external stakeholders) communication, and define how the various actors of the projects (project members, scientists, external stakeholders, funding agencies, common citizens etc.) communicate. They are usually explained all through the Communication Plan.

Communication and Dissemination for European Projects (#1)

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Communication is often considered a structural pillar in several domains. The commercial domain, of course, makes extensive use of every kind of communication tool, from social networks to storytelling techniques and traditional advertising, to engage users and ultimately increase profit. However, the importance of communication has also been recognized in science, and in particular in science projects funded by the European Community.

Documents like Communicating EU research and innovation: guidance for project participants demonstrate how serious this issue has been taken by the EU.

In addition, almost all EU projects I’ve come across, include a Communication Working Package.

This issue - or better this challenge - needs at least two ingredients to be properly tackled:

a good Communication Plan
the know how and technical tools which are, in the end, the substance of the communication itself. They include all the technical tools (e.g. teleconferencing tools) and best practices which must be used to carry on an effective communication based on the communication plan.

In this post I’ll deal with the second aspect, reporting the experience we had in the context of the EPOS european project and providing some thoughts, guidelines and - most importantly - our experience about the creation of all the tools we needed to set up an efficient communication.

We called it Communication & Management Toolkit.

HEADER IMAGE by Sceptre (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Communication and Dissemination for European Projects (#1)

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Communication is often considered a structural pillar in several domains. Of course commercial domain makes wide use of any kind of communication “tool” (e.g. social networks, communication techniques as “story telling”, or the old well-known commercial ads) in order to engage users and - in the end - increase profit. However the importance of Communication has been recognised as relevant also in the field of science, and in particular of the Science Projects funded by the European Community.

Documents like Communicating EU research and innovation: guidance for project participants demonstrate how serious this issue has been taken by the EU.

In addition, almost all EU projects I’ve come across, include a Communication Working Package.

This issue - or better this challenge - needs at least two ingredients to be properly tackled:

a good Communication Plan
the know how and technical tools which are, in the end, the substance of the communication itself. They include all the technical tools (e.g. teleconferencing tools) and best practices which must be used to carry on an effective communication based on the communication plan.

We called it Communication & Management Toolkit.

HEADER IMAGE Di Sceptre (Opera propria) [Public domain], attraverso Wikimedia Commons

Metadata and Borkering - a modern approach #2

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

The second episode on metadata and brokering. Topics covered: 1. additional definitions, including ontology, relational databases, and related concepts; 2. the broader picture: what the data fabric is, data-fabric elements from the Research Data Alliance (RDA), and possible concrete implementations of RDA guidelines.

Metadata and Borkering - a modern approach #2

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

The second episode of metadata and brokering. Topics covered: 1. additional definition (ontology, relational database and others) 2. the wide picture: What’s the data fabric, data fabric elements from Research Data Alliance (RDA) and possible concrete implementations of RDA guidelines.

Le donne di Lisbona hanno bei polpacci...

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

…ma anche gli uomini, i bambini, gli anziani… insomma tutti, anche noi (io e Lucignolo, il mio cicerone di fiducia nelle trasferte estere).

Ora la domanda è: perché tutte questa speciale attenzione al polpaccio sebinonelico? E’ una caratteristica dei portoghesi? (bho… forse) E’ semplicemente una mia fissa? (si lo è, ma questo è un altro discorso) E’ la moda dell’anno? (non mi pare)

La risposta è che l’attenzione a questa parte del corpo affonda le sue radici in una esperienza inizialmente straziante: immaginate di arrivare la mattina dall’aeroporto, coi mezzi pubblici, armati trolley (eh…sono finiti i bei tempi dello zaino da inter-railer) e di scoprire che la strada dal tram all’alloggio si sviluppa in direzione quasi verticale. Sulle prime sembra uno stradello in salita pieno di sanpietrini, poi ci si rende conto che il sanpietrino - già giurato nemico del trolley che per non sganganare le rotelle deve essere caricato sulle spalle - si esaurisce gradualmente in una serie illimitata di gradini.

The Women of Lisbon Have Beautiful Calves...

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

…but so do the men, children, elderly people… in short, everyone, including us: me and Lucignolo, my trusted guide on trips abroad.

So the question is: why all this special attention to the calf muscle? Is it a Portuguese trait? Maybe. Is it simply my obsession? Yes, it is, but that is another matter. Is it this year’s fashion? I do not think so.

The answer is that this attention to that part of the body is rooted in an initially painful experience: imagine arriving in the morning from the airport by public transport, armed with a trolley suitcase, yes, the good old days of the Interrail backpack are over, and discovering that the road from the tram to the accommodation rises in an almost vertical direction. At first it looks like a sloping street full of cobblestones. Then you realize that the cobblestones, sworn enemies of the trolley suitcase, which must be carried on the shoulder if you do not want to destroy the wheels, gradually give way to an endless series of steps.

#italiasicura

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

I recently discovered the #italiasicura portal, which is described as

The map of construction sites for hydrogeological risk mitigation, new open data on works against landslides and floods municipality by municipality, and the status of emergencies region by region.

It seems to me an interesting tool from several points of view. Of course, it is also a political operation meant to show what the government is doing. Without entering into that debate, however, it still looks like a well-made tool, with interesting statistics. For example, did you know that damage to public and private assets amounts to around 3 billion euros?

#italiasicura

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Recentemente ho scoperto il portale #italiasicura, che viene definito come

La mappa dei cantieri antidissesto, i nuovi dati aperti con le opere contro frane e alluvioni comune per comune e lo stato delle emergenze regione per regione.

Mi pare un tool interessante da vari punti di vista. Certamente è anche una operazione politica per dimostrare cosa il governo sta facendo. Ma senza entrare nel merito, mi pare comunque che si tratti di un tool ben fatto, con statistiche interessanti (sapevate ad esempio che i danni subiti dal patrimonio pubblico e privato ammontano a c.ca 3Miliardi di euro?).

RDA - recommendation on citing data

Wed, 27 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000

RDA stands for Research Data Alliance. It is a valuable community of people meeting and working together to do for data something close to what led to the establishment of the TCP/IP stack in the 1970s. In a scenario where no agreed directives exist for managing, using, reusing, producing, storing, and curating data, RDA aims to bring order and structure. It has therefore organized discussions, Requests for Comments (RFCs), best-practice recommendations, guideline documents, and other ongoing initiatives.

RDA - recommendation on citing data

Wed, 27 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000

RDA stands for Research Data Alliance. It is a nice group of people who are meeting and discussing together in order to do something very close to what led to the establishment of the TCS/IP stack in the 70’s, but for the data. In a scenario where there are not agreed directives to manage, use, re-use, produce, store and curate the data, RDA wants to establish some order and structure in all that. So they have organized discussion, Request For Comments (RFC), suggestions about best practices, guidelines documents… and other initiatives which are now going on.

Metadata & Brokering - a modern approach

Wed, 25 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000

This presentation introduces:

A path towards the implementation of a metadata-driven brokering system for integrating data from geological databases at INGV.

Metadata & Brokering - a modern approach

Wed, 25 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000

In this presentation:

A path towards the implementation of a brokering metadata driven system for the integration of data from geological databases @INGV

Equity Crowdfunding: Italy Takes the Field

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000

“Equity-based crowdfunding” refers to cases in which an online investment is used to purchase an actual equity stake in a company: in this case, the “reward” for the funding consists of the full set of financial and administrative rights deriving from participation in the business.

This is how the CONSOB guide to equity crowdfunding begins. It is intended for anyone interested in the startup world, perhaps even planning to launch one, who wants to understand where to start.

Equity Crowdfunding: l’Italia scende in campo

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Si parla di “equity-based crowdfunding” quando tramite l’investimento on-line si acquista un vero e proprio titolo di partecipazione in una società: in tal caso, la “ricompensa” per il finanziamento è rappresentata dal complesso di diritti patrimoniali e amministrativi che derivano dalla partecipazione nell’impresa.

Così comincia la Guida all’equity crowdfunding della CONSOB dedicata a tutti quelli che, interessati al mondo delle startup e magari desiderosi di aprirne una, vogliono capire meglio da che parte cominciare.

Guida al Crowdfunding – il sito dei Giovani Artisti Italiani

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Da “La Fucina di Idee” - blog su idee, crowdfunding, creatività e altro.

Buongiorno a tutti!

Devo dire che questo blog mi è un po’ esploso in mano. Inizialmente, invasato dalla lettura del libro Quattro Ore alla Settimana Ricchi e felici lavorando 10 volte di meno” di Timothy Ferriss, mi sono lanciato nel mondo delle idee, del crowdfunding, degli startupper, interessandomi di alcuni attori della scena “crowdfunding” ma soprattutto cercando di capire come funzionasse e accumulando risorse, documenti.

Guide to Crowdfunding: the Italian Young Artists Website

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

From “La Fucina di Idee” - a blog about ideas, crowdfunding, creativity, and more.

Good morning everyone!

I have to say that this blog has grown much faster than I expected. At first, inspired by Timothy Ferriss’s book The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, I threw myself into the world of ideas, crowdfunding, and startups. I started following some of the main actors in the crowdfunding scene, but above all I tried to understand how it worked, collecting resources and documents along the way.

EPOS: an e-Infrastructure to integrate Solid Earth Science data

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

As a major solid Earth science infrastructure, EPOS was recently included in the EGI Competence Centers call, where it will develop a pilot to test selected EGI technologies, including solutions for implementing AAAI.

My article in the EGI newsletter briefly explains what EPOS is and outlines possible areas of collaboration with EGI.

Link to the online article Link to the full EGI newsletter issue (PDF)

EPOS: an e-Infrastructure to integrate Solid Earth Science data

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Being a huge Solid Earth Infrastructure, EPOS was recently included in the EGI Competence Centers call, where it will develop a pilot to test some EGI technologies, for instance the solutions to implement AAAI.

My Article on EGI newsletter explains a little bit what EPOS is and possible areas of collaboration with EGI.

Link to online article Link to whole EGI newsletter Issue (PDF)

Interoperability and Richardson Maturity Model

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Because of my job at INGV, where I am involved in the major EPOS European Project, I spend a lot of time reading papers, blog posts, and other resources, not to mention discussing with great colleagues, all dealing with the central subject of system interoperability.

Actually, the real topic for me is interoperability, whose meanings vary across the fields of knowledge, and life, in which we use the concept. In the social sciences we may call it interculturality or interculturalism. In economics, we might call it price, the mechanism that enables exchange of goods. But that is another story, and I think the idea is clear.

Interoperability and Richardson Maturity Model

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Because of my job at INGV, where I’m involved in the huge EPOS European Project, I’m daily diving into lots of information from papers, blog posts and other resources (not last, some discussions with great colleagues) which all deal with the main subject of interoperability of systems.

Well, actually the real main topic to me is interoperability, whose inflections can be as many as the fields of knowledge (and life) where we use such concept: we may call it Interculturality or Interculturalism in social sciences, we may call it price, which allows the goods exchange in Economics… but well, that’s another story and I think you get the idea.

Lavorare con un illuminato (non è una pubblicità dell'ENEL) (EGU #3)

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Questa foto merita di stare al centro della pagina. E’ memorabile.

Perchè? Lo spiego subito: Chi ha l’occhio da scienziato avrà già intuito che stavo presentando un poster. Ero all’EGU a Vienna. Il tizio vicino a me, con pantaloni viola, camicia nera, foulard di seta nero con colombe bianche e un giacchetto tipo chiodo (e la capigliatura assicuro che non è una parrucca, ma vero capello anni 70!), sebbene possa dare l’idea di essere un frikkettone trovato all’ultimo momento per le strade della città, è in realtà un grande (rischia seriamente di diventare il mio Guru informatico): si chiama Keith J Jeffery, è un vero cervellone delle architetture informatiche in Europa, con vari titoli (dice un excerpt di una sua [[_FILES/PROJ-SRC/github/danielebailo.github.io/content/bio|bio]]: “Keith Jeffery is currently Director of IT and International Strategy of STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council), based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in the UK.”). Ma possiede vari altri titoli (direttore di quà, presidente di là), si è occupato di Grid o ora lavora col Cloud e tante altre belle cosine che tralascio.

Working with an Enlightened Mind (not an ENEL advertisement) (EGU #3)

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

This photo deserves to be at the center of the page. It is memorable.

Why? I will explain immediately: anyone with a scientific eye will already have understood that I was presenting a poster. I was at EGU in Vienna. The guy next to me, wearing purple trousers, a black shirt, a black silk scarf with white doves, and a biker-style jacket, and I assure you that the hair is not a wig but real 1970s hair, may look like a hippie picked up at the last minute from the city streets. In reality, he is a great mind, and is seriously at risk of becoming my IT guru: his name is Keith J. Jeffery. He is a true heavyweight in European IT architectures, with many titles. An excerpt from one of his bios says: “Keith Jeffery is currently Director of IT and International Strategy of STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council), based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in the UK.” He also holds various other titles, director here, president there, has worked on Grid, now works on Cloud, and many other interesting things that I will skip.

Google: il Rocco Siffredi della tecnologia (EGU#2)

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Cosa c’entra Rocco Siffredi con Google e con la tecnologia?

Il punto in comune è chiaro: l’ostentazione di enorme potenza, in un caso sessuale, nell’altro computazionale (lascio indovinare al lettore quale sia il caso di Google e quale quello del Siffredi).

E’ un parallelo che è apparso in maniera evidente nella mia mente quando ho ascoltato un talk, qui all’EGU, (leggi questo post per scoprire cos’è ‘EGU) del nuovo motore di ricerca/calcolo per le scienze della terra, EarthEngine, targato Google.

IMMAGINE Di Niccolò Caranti (Opera propria) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], attraverso Wikimedia Commons

Google: the Rocco Siffredi of Technology (EGU #2)

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

What does Rocco Siffredi have to do with Google and technology?

The common point is clear: the display of enormous power, sexual in one case and computational in the other. I leave it to the reader to guess which one is Google and which one is Siffredi.

The parallel appeared very clearly in my mind when I listened to a talk here at EGU (read this post to discover what EGU is) about Google’s new search and computation engine for Earth sciences, EarthEngine.

IMAGE By Niccolo Caranti (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

A Congress of Geoscientists? (alias: EGU #1)

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

I have various friends and acquaintances outside my work circle with whom I often end up talking about my activities. Every time, surprisingly, I discover how hard it is to explain what happens at these conferences or meetings I sometimes attend.

Having already given up on answering the fatal question “what do you do for a living?” when asked by non-specialists over 70, I now try to explain how a congress such as EGU works. I once tried saying: “I work in EPOS, a European project dealing with the integration of research infrastructures for Earth sciences; now I work on metadata collection for the creation of a catalogue that will allow data discovery and integration.” The result was bewildered looks, mechanical “ah, interesting” replies, and other scenes I will spare you.

Un congresso di geoscienziati? (alias: EGU #1)

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Ho vari amici e conoscenti al di fuori della cerchia del lavoro con cui spesso mi ritrovo a parlare delle mie attività. Ogni volta - sorprendentemente - scopro quanto sia poco semplice raccontare quello che si fa a questi congressi o meeting a cui ogni tanto partecipo.

Avendo già gettato la spugna sul tentativo di rispondere alla fatidica domanda “che lavoro fai?” posta dai non addetti ai lavori di età superiore a 70 anni ("…lavoro in EPOS, un progetto Europeo che si occupa delle integrazione delle infrastrutture di ricerca per le scienze della terra, ora mi occupo della raccolta dei metadati per la creazione del catalogo che permettarà la discovery e l’integrazione dei dati" ho provato a dire, e seguivano sguardi basiti, degli “ah però, interessante” detti con evidente meccanicità e altre scene che vi risparmio), tento allora di illustrare come funziona un congresso come l’EGU.

Activities

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Research Interests

Artificial Intelligence applied to Geosciences (Deep Learning, LLMs, RAG)
FAIR Data and Open Science
Virtual Research Environments (VRE)
Integration of data and services for distributed research infrastructures
Big Data systems and Cloud platforms (Kubernetes, Docker)

Project Coordination

INGV Scientific Coordinator — ENVRI-HUB-NEXT
ENVironmental Research Infrastructures delivering an open access Hub and NEXT-level interdisciplinary research framework providing services for advancing science and society
Horizon Europe Programme, Grant Agreement 101131141
Period: 01/02/2024 – 31/01/2027

Attività

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Interessi di Ricerca

Intelligenza Artificiale applicata alle Geoscienze (Deep Learning, LLMs, RAG)
Dati FAIR e Open Science
Virtual Research Environments (VRE)
Integrazione di dati e servizi per infrastrutture di ricerca distribuite
Sistemi Big Data e piattaforme Cloud (Kubernetes, Docker)

Coordinamento Progetti

Responsabile Scientifico INGV — ENVRI-HUB-NEXT
ENVironmental Research Infrastructures delivering an open access Hub and NEXT-level interdisciplinary research framework providing services for advancing science and society
Programma Horizon Europe, Grant Agreement 101131141
Periodo: 01/02/2024 – 31/01/2027

Contacts

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Address

Ing. Daniele Bailo Sezione Roma 1 Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Via di Vigna Murata, 605
00143 Roma, Italia

Email

daniele.bailo@ingv.it

Online profiles

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=-bX_yVsAAAAJ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniele-bailo-00894025/
GitHub: https://github.com/danielebailo
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniele-Bailo
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57194540419
Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/search?page=1&size=20&q=Bailo,%20Daniele

Contatti

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Indirizzo

Ing. Daniele Bailo Sezione Roma 1 Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Via di Vigna Murata, 605
00143 Roma, Italia

Email

daniele.bailo@ingv.it

Profili Online

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=-bX_yVsAAAAJ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniele-bailo-00894025/
GitHub: https://github.com/danielebailo
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniele-Bailo
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57194540419
Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/search?page=1&size=20&q=Bailo,%20Daniele

Pubblicazioni

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

L’attività scientifica di Daniele Bailo comprende pubblicazioni su riviste internazionali peer-reviewed, contributi a conferenze scientifiche, deliverable di progetto e sviluppo software open source nell’ambito delle infrastrutture di ricerca, AI and Geosciences, Research Data Management e delle Scienze della Terra.

Gli indicatori bibliometrici aggiornati (citazioni, h-index) e l’elenco completo delle pubblicazioni sono disponibili sui profili ufficiali:

Indice

Pubblicazioni Scientifiche

2026

Researcher-Curated Knowledge Governance for Trustworthy Scientific AI in the Geosciences: the RockGPT Approach. Earth Science Informatics (2026). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-026-02197-5

2025

[NO JCR] Marchetti, D.; Bailo, D.; Michalek, J.; Paciello, R.; Falcone, G.; Piscini, A. A Multiparametric Investigation of an Earthquake by a Jupyter Notebook: The Case Study of the Amatrice-Norcia Italian Seismic Sequence 2016-2017. Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2025 Workshops (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-97657-5_19
[NO JCR] Giuliacci, K.; Bailo, D.; Paciello, R.; Michalek, J.; Vinciarelli, V.; Sbarra, M.; Salvi, M.; Martinez, E. Metadata-Driven Cross-Infrastructure Integration Between Solid Earth and Marine Sciences in the GEO-INQUIRE Project. Metadata and Semantic Research (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-81974-2_25
[NO JCR] Cocco, M.; Paciello, R.; Bailo, D.; Locati, M.; Tanlongo, F.; Schirru, L.; Fredella, M. I.; Mercurio, D.; Freda, C. The ethical dimension of sharing solid Earth Science data. Journal of Geoethics and Social Geosciences (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.4401/jgsg-64

2024

[NO JCR] Bailo, D.; Paciello, R.; Exter, K.; Vinciarelli, V.; Jeffery, K. G.; Adamaki, A.; Giuliacci, K.; Bundke, U.; Schleiermacher, C. The ENVRI Catalogue of Services: A Road-Test for Environmental Research Infrastructure Metadata Harmonisation and Interoperability. Metadata and Semantic Research (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65990-4_24

Publications

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Daniele Bailo’s scientific activity includes publications in international peer-reviewed journals, contributions to scientific conferences, project deliverables, and open-source software development in the areas of research infrastructures, AI and Geosciences, Research Data Management, and Solid Earth sciences.

Updated bibliometric indicators (citations, h-index) and the full list of publications are available on the official profiles:

Scientific Publications

2026

Researcher-Curated Knowledge Governance for Trustworthy Scientific AI in the Geosciences: the RockGPT Approach. Earth Science Informatics (2026). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-026-02197-5

2025

[NO JCR] Marchetti, D.; Bailo, D.; Michalek, J.; Paciello, R.; Falcone, G.; Piscini, A. A Multiparametric Investigation of an Earthquake by a Jupyter Notebook: The Case Study of the Amatrice-Norcia Italian Seismic Sequence 2016-2017. Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2025 Workshops (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-97657-5_19
[NO JCR] Giuliacci, K.; Bailo, D.; Paciello, R.; Michalek, J.; Vinciarelli, V.; Sbarra, M.; Salvi, M.; Martinez, E. Metadata-Driven Cross-Infrastructure Integration Between Solid Earth and Marine Sciences in the GEO-INQUIRE Project. Metadata and Semantic Research (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-81974-2_25
[NO JCR] Cocco, M.; Paciello, R.; Bailo, D.; Locati, M.; Tanlongo, F.; Schirru, L.; Fredella, M. I.; Mercurio, D.; Freda, C. The ethical dimension of sharing solid Earth Science data. Journal of Geoethics and Social Geosciences (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.4401/jgsg-64

2024

[NO JCR] Bailo, D.; Paciello, R.; Exter, K.; Vinciarelli, V.; Jeffery, K. G.; Adamaki, A.; Giuliacci, K.; Bundke, U.; Schleiermacher, C. The ENVRI Catalogue of Services: A Road-Test for Environmental Research Infrastructure Metadata Harmonisation and Interoperability. Metadata and Semantic Research (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65990-4_24