Scientific interests

Every day I go to work I'm making a bet that the universe is simple, symmetric and esthetically pleasing -
a universe that we humans, with our limited perspective, will someday understand.
G. Smoot

My research interests are focused on the study of the galaxy formation and evolution. In particular, I am interested in the physics of the star formation in nearby and high redshift galaxies, in connection with the properties of their interstellar medium. In addition, I find interesting the comparison between field and cluster member galaxies to define the role of the environment in the galaxy evolution.

The CDM model predicts how structures formed from primordial acoustic oscillations and CMB observations give us strong evidences about this process until the recombination, but how do galaxies light up? Why, how and when do they start forming stars? Can we describe or observe their evolution at different cosmological ages?

The HUDF and the CMB temperature map provide a powerful insight in the galaxy formation
and in the early stage evolution.

Through multifrequency observations and spectra we can probe the different ISM components both in local and high redshift galaxies; can we coherently describe what is the role of gas, metals, dusts and stars in the life of a galaxy? And how do these constituents evolve at different redshifts?

Currently and future facilities allow a photometrical and spectral study of galaxies in a wide range of redshifts.
In figure, a panchromatic view of galaxy NGC4321 and
a spectra of a DLA system.

The study of galaxies in the local universe provides a sort of "boundary condition" to test the different models of galaxy evolution. In addition, the local volume with the rich Virgo cluster offers a suitable lab to study the effects of environment on the "normal" life of a galaxy. How does the environment shape the morphology of a galaxy? What are the effects produced on the star formation activity? Can we characterise mergers from visible signs in the nearby galaxies?

The Virgo cluster in a representation from GOLDMine

These are some of the questions that I have in mind. I 'm working to find out some answers!