Get to know the Sicilians: Interview 1 – Sara

Sara | 35 | Engineer at INFN (National Institute of Nuclear Physics) | Aci Castello

1. Did you study in Sicily? How was your study experience?

Yes, I studied at the University of Catania starting my bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and I finished my studies pursuing a Master’s degree in Automation Engineering and Control of Complex Systems. My study experience in Sicily was, after various uncertainties, positive. Studying in one’s own territory and trying to carry on the technological and scientific realities that are part of it has always been my goal. I must admit, however, that I can consider myself lucky, as many of my colleagues are still in a precarious situation, but in this case the problem is national not regional.

2. Women are still largely underrepresented in the field of engineering across the world, what advice would you give to girls who are considering studying engineering?

I firmly believe that with the will and passion in facing studies and work, any gender difference is reduced. I cannot deny, however, that for a woman there are greater difficulties especially if she has a family with children to take care of. My female engineering colleagues and I are really in the minority and our work often includes trips to conferences, to carry out tests or to technical meetings at external companies (sometimes international) and I have often found myself having to renounce my attendance or attending for a shorter time than our male colleagues.

All this obviously slows down a woman’s career a lot since often the roles of responsibility to follow certain activities are given to those who can afford to leave often. For example, not presenting often at conferences can limit one’s curricular experience and therefore achieve lower scores in level-up competitions where presentations at conferences as a speaker as well as assigned responsibility roles are widely considered evaluations.

3. What are you working on now? Has COVID-19 made it more difficult?

Now I am working on the construction of a submarine telescope for neutrinos at a depth of 3500m and 100km from the coast of Portopalo di Capo Passero. This project is called Km3NeT. I work on the Italian site which will consist of 230 detectors, vertical structures equipped with optical sensors and will have a total volume of about 1 km3.

In addition to physics, various multidisciplinary studies are conducted thanks to the acquisition of acoustic data such as the study of cetaceans present in the area or the presence of earthquakes by collaborating with various national and international research bodies. I am part of the team of engineers and physicists who are involved in the construction of the detector and the management of the ground infrastructure. In Portopalo there is a laboratory from which the 100km submarine cable extends with all the control and data acquisition system to manage.

The collaboration is made up of over 300 researchers and technologists between Italians and foreigners, but due to the covid, all the work on site has practically fallen on us Sicilians, slowing down and increasing the amount of work for many of us. All integrations and tests that we would have had to carry out and supervise outside Sicily were carried out remotely by preparing accurate procedures to be provided to the various companies. Furthermore, smart working is really challenging if you have the children at home!

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Un post condiviso da KM3NeT Neutrino Telescope (@km3net)

4. How many children do you have? Do you think Sicily is a good place for children?

I have 2 children, Elena 3 and a half years and Ettore 1 and a half years old. They are the greatest joy of my life! I love my land and although there are often difficulties, especially of a working nature when you reach adulthood, I think that growing up here is a great place for children! My children are lucky enough to be able to be with their grandparents and thus see our family roots with their own eyes.

Living near the sea and with practically good weather almost all year round, we are lucky enough to let them play often outdoors, breathing in the sea breeze. There was a period in my life when I wanted to leave and look for a job outside of Sicily in a place where the management of citizens’ needs was better managed, but today looking at my children I think I made the right choice by staying here and I hope that one day they too will have the same luck as me to choose where they want to study and work.

5. Do you have a strong Sicilian food memory from childhood?

I still remember the days at my maternal grandmother’s home making macaroni and I will never forget that smell of tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes! A smell and a taste… only my grandmother could achieve that perfect combination in such a simple recipe!

6. What do you prefer: Cannoli or Cassatelle di sant’Agata?

Cannoli for sure!

7. How important is coffee for you? How do you prefer your coffee?

Coffee is essential in the morning together with milk, without it I cannot start the day! I love hot espresso coffee with cold frothed milk. For the rest, I’ll have one as needed according to how tired I feel during the day, but usually no more than 2 espresso coffees a day.

8. What’s it like to drive in Sicily?

I believe that if you learn to drive in Sicily you can drive anywhere! People are always in a hurry and most do not use public transport so there is often traffic during the week, but without a car I would feel lost! I remember I was waiting for the age of 18 to get my driver’s license and before giving me the car my father made me take a driving test with him, taking me to the “most difficult” roads to make sure I was able to “survive” driving in Catania…. in comparison, the driving school exam was a breeze!

9. What is your favorite time of year in Sicily?

Mmmm … as a Sicilian and a lover of the sea I could only say the period of the summer holidays, I love the beaches of Portopalo di Capo Passero, but also to sail with our small boat amongst the coastal rock formations. Now with children it is a bit more complicated to find a place suitable for the 4 of us at the times of the day when the sun is not too strong, but a few years ago I used to go to the beach practically every day during the holidays. Sea, sun and a good book this is my favourite moment!

To read about a Sicilian who is currently studying at the University of Catania: Click Here