She lives near the sea and loves to ride her bike along the coast. Michelle Obama is her true source of inspiration. Let’s get to know Lea Nicita, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship at the Economic Analysis of Climate Impacts and Policy (ECIP) division.

Interview by Selvaggia Santin

What’s your job at the CMCC Foundation?

I was a recipient of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship for the project CRAS (Climate Change and Resilience of Agricultural Systems). CRAS aims to assess the contribution of agrobiodiversity to the resilience of agroecosystems and the mitigation of the impacts of climate change on the agricultural sector. I spent the outgoing phase of the project at the School of Environment at Yale University working with Professor Robert Mendelsohn and in October I started the incoming phase at the CMCC working within the Economic Analysis of Climate Impacts and Policy (ECIP) division.

What led you to the CMCC?

I had already worked at the CMCC many years ago and I liked the working environment. The CRAS project created the opportunity to restart the collaboration.

Is your current job the one you dreamed of when you were a kid?

When I was a kid, I dreamt of being a sea captain and travelling all around the world to get to know people from foreign countries. In this respect working as a researcher has given me the opportunity to visit several countries and work in an international environment.

Could you tell us the most important moment in your career life at the CMCC?

When I was awarded the Marie-Curie fellowship I felt my career as a researcher could reach a higher level of accomplishment and fulfillment.

What’s on your workstation?

I have a pencil holder stuffed with pencils that I bought while travelling for work or on holiday. It reminds me of all the places I have visited. The last pencil that I bought was at the Martin Luther King memorial in Washington. There is a quote printed on it that says, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”.

How do you travel to work?

At the moment, I work mainly from home. In the past I used to sing out loud while driving. It was the best way to start my day.

What do you do in your spare time?

I have two children, a cat and a dog that cheer me up and keep me very busy. Sometimes I play tennis or ride a bike. I live near the sea and I love to ride my bike along the coast.

Cinema or literature?

I would say both, even though I usually watch a movie with my family rather than having time to myself for reading. However, at the moment I am reading “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. She is a true source of inspiration.