Full Astronomer at the European Southern Observatory (Germany), the leading intergovernmental science and technology organisation in astronomy. I started my career in Italy but quickly moved to the USA (University of Chicago) before joining ESO, where for several years I led the User Support Department and then chaired the ESO Faculty. Now I am a Project Scientist, involved in the peer review process of telescope time requests and its associated science policy aspects. Research-wise, I am an observational astrophysicist interested in unraveling the formation and evolution of the Milky Way and its satellite galaxies via their chemical histories.

I am also known for my commitment and active engagement in the promotion of women in astronomy and against gender biases in STEM. I have  chaired the International Astronomical Union Working Group on Women in Astronomy, I have been a member of the ISC project “The Gender Gap in the Natural Sciences”, and all along I have helped setting up committees and discussion groups on diversity and inclusion. Recently, I have completed and released the Astro Voices project, a series of videos celebrating female astronomers and students from around the world, giving them a “voice” to share their passion for astronomy.