Roberto Giacobazzi joining UA Department of Computer Science!

Dr. Roberto Giacobazzi will be joining the Department of Computer Science faculty in fall 2023. We asked Dr. Giacobazzi to answer our "Getting to know you" questions. Responses below. 

Educational background/short bio:
In 1993, I obtained my PhD in Computer Science (CS) from the University of Pisa in Italy. Following my graduation, I served as a PostDoc at the Ecole Polytechnique in France until 1995. I then returned to the University of Pisa as an Assistant Professor in CS. In 1998, I made a transition to the University of Verona in Italy, where I assumed the position of Associate Professor. From May 2000 onwards, I have been Full Professor in CS at the University of Verona. Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of serving in various leadership roles within the academic sphere. These include being the Head of the CS Department, Dean of the College of Science & Technology, and Provost of the University of Verona. Additionally, since 2016, I have held the position of Affiliate Faculty at the IMDEA Software Institute in Madrid, Spain. 

Research interests:
My research focus lies in formal methods, specifically Abstract Interpretation. This field encompasses both a theory and a methodology for designing and implementing program analysis algorithms. These algorithms find applications in various areas such as program verification, model checking, logic, universal algebra, programming language semantics, theoretical computer science, program transformation, optimization, and security. As stated by E.W. Dijkstra in 1972, I firmly believe that “The only effective way to raise the confidence level of a program significantly is to give a convincing proof of its correctness”.

Why did you apply to join the University of Arizona Department of Computer Science?
The CS Department at the University of Arizona has a long standing tradition of excellence. Joining the CS Department at the University of Arizona is an honour and in many senses also a personal achievement. I remember that I made my very first long scientific visit when I was a young PhD student at the beginning of 1992, and it was at the University of Arizona. Since then the collaboration with the colleagues of the CS Department was always incredibly strong and fruitful.

What made you interested in pursuing a career in higher education/the academy?
Science is an imaginative and creative human endeavour, not less than art and literature. The knowledge accumulated in our labs and research groups is valuable only if it is shared and if it becomes heritage of future generations. Because of this being a part of the scientific community is the most ambitious and significant accomplishment for me.

What are you looking forward to most in coming to UA?
For me, the most significant accomplishment lies in collaborating with exceptional colleagues and collectively fostering a robust scientific community. Although computing is shaping all aspects of modern societies, Computer Science is not a science of everything. We have our own historical, philosophical, and technical roots of which we have to be proud and from which we always have to start in order to build our future. The CS Department at UA is excellent with an outstanding faculty active in a broad rage of research topics. For me this is the ideal environment where my research interests and vision can be fully developed. Having gained extensive experience in Europe and through numerous global visits, I am honored to be spending the forthcoming years at UA—a renowned institution that I both know and hold in high regard for its exceptional commitment to research and education. 

Any other information you would like students, staff, faculty, alumni, etc. to know about you. 
I know Tucson since more that 30 years. Tucson is amazing for its cultural diversity and its beautiful landscape. This exceptional setting offers me the chance to engage in activities that I hold a deep passion for: immersing myself in diverse art and cultures, as well as enjoying hike and golf.