In this month's
Rising Star
analysis, ScienceWatch.com recognizes the
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
as having the highest percent increase in total
citations in the field of Geosciences from December
2007 to February 2008. According to Essential
Science Indicators from
Thomson
Reuters, the current record of the INGV in this
field includes 983 papers cited a total of 4,810
times.
The INGV consists of several research sections located throughout
Italy, and includes monitoring networks for earthquakes, volcanoes, and
other geophysical phenomena. The INGV is currently the largest institution
in Europe devoted to geosciences research.
In the interview below,
President Enzo Boschi talks with us about the INGV's history
and citation achievements.
What factors or circumstances led to the formation
of the INGV, and how do you account for the INGV's increase in the
number of citations in the field of Geosciences in recent
years?
INGV was born in 1999 through a merger of former ING, Istituto Nazionale di
Geofisica, and four other national research institutes with expertise in
different disciplines in the geosciences. The result has been the main
permanent scientific forum in the Earth Sciences in Europe. The development
plans were strongly based on young scientists—we count a lot on young
researchers with exceptional potential, entrusting them with innovative
basic and applied research projects. We also promote international
collaborations. So, the increase in the number of citations in Geosciences
is largely a result of this strategy, mainly based on the support of
talented young staff.
Does this reflect a deliberate plan to enhance the
INGV's research effort in this field, or was this an unexpected or
serendipitous development?
"Many natural processes
on Earth can be understood only through a
multidisciplinary approach, in which long-term
monitoring is one of the key
strategies."
This is one of the results of the INGV development plans—we expect to
have an excellent yield and to produce still more in the coming years. We
picked up on some innovative findings, such as the role of solid Earth
degassing in the atmospheric methane budget, or new volcanic geothermal and
climate changes studies, which will be very important to us moving forward
in the future. We're clearly happy with the results thus far.
Are there specific areas of research within the realm of
Geosciences on which the INGV particularly focuses?
Not specifically; INGV covers all main disciplines dealing with physical
and chemical processes of the Earth with impact on society, environment and
climate; that includes geophysics, volcanology, fluid and rock
geochemistry, petroleum geology, atmospheric and ionospheric research,
oceanography, climatology and environmental geology. We do not deal with
paleontology, mineralogy, and crystallography.
Is there much shared work among divisions of the INGV,
or with external organizations?
There is a fair amount of multidisciplinary research which requires
collaborations among specialists in different fields; thus, there are
people and groups from different departments working together.
Collaboration with external institutions is then an essential part of our
research strategy, because many studies cannot be conducted solely at the
national level, but require international efforts. In this respect
substantial activity is carried out in the framework of international
projects and programs, but also in the framework of bilateral agreements
with institutions of many countries.
What is your prediction for the state of our knowledge
about this particular field 10 years from now?
Many natural processes on Earth can be understood only through a
multidisciplinary approach, in which long-term monitoring is one of the key
strategies. So, we are working on the improvement of research
infrastructures, including monitoring observatories and networks, and
laboratories based on advanced technology. We expect to soon get some
innovative results both in the field of solid earth geophysics and
environmental processes also involving the sea and the atmosphere.
What research fields or capabilities do you see as
critical for the future of the INGV, and what are the implications of
the INGV's work for the future of this particular field or neighboring
fields?
INGV must adjust itself and follow science and societal needs and
evolution, with particular reference to geo-hazards, environmental risks,
and global changes. Therefore, a strong specialization and know-how in
these sectors is necessary. However, basic research in geophysics and
geochemistry cannot be forgotten, because society cannot evolve without new
findings and theories. We also believe that a synergy between science and
industry, including small enterprises, is fundamental for the development
of scientific and technological products, such as new instruments or
monitoring stations, from which civil protection and society can
benefit.
Enzo Boschi, President
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Rome, Italy
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e
Vulcanologia's most-cited paper
with 71 cites to date: