Interview by Ottavia Carlon

Energetic and ambitious, he joined CMCC almost by chance and has never left since. Let’s get to know the insatiable movie lover Sandro Fiore, Head of the research group in Data Science within the ASC Division.

What’s your job at the CMCC Foundation?
I am the Head of the Data Science team of the ASC Division – Advanced Scientific Computing. After an amazing 4-year experience as Director of the ASC Division, I decided to accept this new challenge to create a new research group on Data Science within CMCC. In a way, I believe it represents the natural evolution of the Scientific Data Management research line I led during my first 8 years at CMCC.

Which road led you to CMCC?
It was pure coincidence! I was ready to move abroad for a new experience after completing my PhD in 2004 and working as a researcher for a couple of years at the University of Salento in Prof. Aloisio’s lab; but then my path crossed CMCC, perfectly matching my research interests. Twelve years have passed since, full of achievements, new friends and exciting and enriching experiences.

Is your current job the one you had dreamed of when you were a child?
Definitely not! As a child, I used to dream of being a surgeon because I loved the idea of saving human lives. Now that I think about it, I can say that in a certain way my studies on climate change allow me to make this dream true: through research I try to contribute to making our world a better place for all.

Could you tell us the most important moment in your career life at CMCC?
The most important moment was certainly receiving my mandate as Director of the ASC Division. I am very proud of the work done and the results achieved during this time, but most of all I am grateful for the human relationships that stemmed from our working together. I recognize in this the real added value of our work, crucial to create a true team.

What’s on your workstation?
Apart from my computer and… another computer, tons of notes, papers, post-its, pens and pencils. Since January, also a small plant that I bought recently.

How do you travel to work?
I use my car, but every morning after parking I walk a long way to get to my workplace. Besides being healthy, to walk around Lecce’s city centre is a unique experience: we are surrounded by so much baroque architecture…

What do you do in your spare time?
I love reading, watching thousands of movies and taking long strolls. I love the mountains… a bit less the sea.

Cinema or literature: give me a title and explain your choice
Cinema! I’ve always loved the gangster genre and Brian De Palma is undoubtedly my favourite director… Carlito’s Way is definitely my favourite movie. Compared with the overly-praised Scarface, I consider this movie the best in its genre: it includes a strong psychological analysis of characters, a story of love and redemption… and a great finale, which I won’t tell to preserve the surprise…