I am involved since 1992 in the Virgo project for interferometric detection of gravitational waves.

My research activity until 2000 has been mostly dedicated to the design and the realization of the superattenuator, the suspension to isolate the mirror from seismic noise and control its position.

Since 2001 I have been deeply committed with the commissioning of the Virgo detector, mostly dealing with:

Since 2004 I am involved in the design of the upgrade of Virgo to a second generation interferometer (Advanced Virgo).        

In July 2006 I have been appointed Advanced Virgo Coordinator and, as such, I have coordinated, within the Virgo Collaboration, the R&D activities focused to the realization of a second generation detector. Moreover, I have coordinated the realization of the Advanced Virgo design and defended it in front of the review committees for the project approval.

Since April 2009 I have been the Advanced Virgo Project Leader and, as such, I have coordinated the design and managed the construction of the detector. My mandate ended on August 1st, 2017, when Advanced Virgo started its first science run. On Aug. 14th Advanced Virgo detected its first gravitational wave (GW170814).

Einstein Telescope

I am an active member of the team working to design and push the realization of the 3rd generation detector ET. I am currently involved in studying the requirements of the underground infrastructure for ET, with focus on the candidate site of Sos Enattos, in Sardinia.