EducationJuly 1978 Scientific High School (60/60), Liceo Scientifico Leonardo da Vinci, MilanoDec 1982 University Degree (Laurea) in Theoretical Physics (110/110 honours), Università di PaviaGraduation Thesis: Cyclotronic Absorption in a Maxwellian Plasma in Doppler Regime (Field: Theoretical Plasma Physics – Fusion Plasmas)Professional Career:Aug 1984- Jan 1986 European Space Agency - Duty Scientist / Observatory Controller in the EXOSAT Observatory at ESOC. Support of real-time scientific operations of the payload of the EXOSAT X-ray satelliteFeb 1986 – Jul 1993 ESA - Spacecraft Operations Engineer (ESOC, Mission Operations Department) assigned to the EURECA mission.Feb 1993 – Apr 1997 ESA - CLUSTER Spacecraft Operations Manager Nov 1996 – Nov 2006 ESA - ROSETTA Spacecraft Operations Manager. - In parallel to the prime Rosetta assignment, I have covered the following main roles:- Feb 2003 – Jun 2003 Acting Venus Express Spacecraft Operations Manager- Jan 2004 – Nov 2006 Acting BepiColombo Spacecraft Operations Manager- Jul 2005 – Apr 2006 Deputy Venus Express Flight Operations DirectorAug 2006 – Jan 2013 ESA - Head, Solar and Planetary Missions DivisionResponsible for the ground segment and mission operations implementation for all ESA Solar and Planetary missions (Smart1, Ulysses, Rosetta, Mars Express, Venus Express, Cluster, BepiColombo, ExoMars, Solar Orbiter, Juice)- As part of this role, Rosetta Flight Operations Director for all critical mission phases- Mar 2009 Deputy Flight Operations Director for the GOCE LEOPFeb 2013- Today