Beyond Science
Science and teaching are important parts of my life, but they are far from the whole story. Beyond the laboratory and classroom, my life has been shaped by my Sicilian roots, my family, music, and a curiosity that continually leads me toward new interests and unexpected adventures.
Between two worlds
I was born and raised in Palermo, Sicily, where my education began not with science, but at a humanities-focused high school (liceo classico), studying Latin, ancient Greek, literature, and philosophy.
Growing up in a modest family, I experienced challenges that shaped my outlook on life. My parents’ determination and encouragement played an essential role in helping me pursue my ambitions.
Leaving Italy was one of the most difficult and transformative decisions of my life. I have always loved its culture, people, and traditions, while struggling with aspects of a system that too often fails to nurture talent and reward merit.
Boston eventually became home, but Sicily remains an inseparable part of who I am.
A journey across the Atlantic
My experience reflects the broader phenomenon of Italian brain drain: the departure of researchers seeking professional opportunities and independence abroad.
Yet leaving one’s country does not mean leaving one’s identity behind.
The people who matter
For all the importance I attach to science, teaching, and music, my greatest source of happiness is my family.
My wife, Dr. Valentina Sabino, and I have shared much more than a scientific career. From our university years in Palermo to research experiences in California and our lives as professors in Boston, we have built our journey together.
Our son Victor has brought an entirely new dimension to that adventure, filling our lives with discoveries, laughter, and occasionally unexpected challenges.
Family
Whether exploring new places, learning something together, or simply enjoying everyday moments, family remains at the center of my life.
Never too old to learn
I have always enjoyed intellectual challenges, particularly chess, Sudoku, and anything involving logic, strategy, or creative problem-solving.
But becoming a parent introduced me to an entirely new world of puzzles and challenges I might never have explored otherwise.
After years of teaching others, I now regularly find myself learning alongside my son, and occasionally trying to keep up with him.
Learning through play
Sometimes the most interesting lessons happen far away from a classroom.
Curiosity has no age limit
Perhaps that is what connects the different parts of my life, from classical literature to neuroscience, from music to mathematics, and from scientific research to Megaminx cubes.
There is always something new to discover. And sometimes, the best teachers are the youngest ones.