Montalcino: Casato Prime Donne 2014 award to the astrophysicist Sandra Savaglio

The world–renowned astrophysicist received the award for her scientific talent and for her decision to return to Italy for the good of the country


Sandra Savaglio will leave in Montalcino on the occasion of the Casato Prime Donne 2014 award a special dedication

«I always did what people did not expect from me as a woman: the scientist, sport, the defense of the voiceless, against hierarchies for which so many people have huge respect. Not for my glory, but because that seemed like the right thing for me and for the values ​​that I learned from my land. A boldness that, aware, I would have paid at my expense».


Casato Prime Donne 2014: the jury and the reasons The jury of the prize, consisting of Francesca Cinelli Colombini (President), Rosy Bindi, Anselma Dell’Olio, Anna Pesenti, Stefania Rossini, Anna Scafuri and Daniela Viglione, decided to assign the Casato Prime Donne 2014 award to Sandra Savaglio for her merits a scientist (160 publications in the most prestigious international scientific journals such as "Nature" and "Astrophysical Journal") and for her civil courage.


The astrophysicist returns to Italy

Sandra Savaglio, in effect, is a "brain" that comes back. "Time" dedicated to her a cover making of her the symbol of the stars of science who left Europe.

After 23 years in the major institutions of astrophysical research in the world, Sandra Savaglio, in autumn will leave the Max–Planck Institute in Garching, Germany, to become a professor at the University of Calabria in Cosenza.

A bet for Sandra Savaglio, that leaves the best European pole of astrophysics and expects «to have human resources (ie, students and young researchers), and for this there is no economic crisis that can withstand» because «in Calabria the human resources in the field of scientific research in which the region invests support important foreign research institutes, with a limited return to Italy. This is an immense damage to the country».

Minister Stefania Giannini strongly supports the call towards Italy to raise the level of research in teaching. «I am convinced that each university should call whomever they want in total autonomy, respecting international standards» Giannini said in Fiesole, in May.

The return of Sandra Savaglio in Italy is therefore a sign of change and hope in the future of the country.