VINICIO CARRARO

The Head of Technical Management at the University of Padua is responsible for coordinating and ensuring the efficiency of the department’s laboratories, technical services, and infrastructure. 

This role involves managing a team of technical and administrative staff, overseeing the use of research equipment and departmental spaces, and supporting procurement by preparing technical documentation for tenders.

Working in close collaboration with the Safety Office, the Head of Technical Management ensures compliance with safety regulations, updates risk assessments and emergency plans, and organizes safety drills. The role also includes the coordination of IT and technical services, as well as managing building and systems upgrades in cooperation with the Facility and Energy Management Office.

Combining technical expertise with strategic planning, the Head of Technical Management ensures that all operations support research and teaching activities effectively, safely, and efficiently.

While my primary role as Head of Technical Management keeps me extensively occupied, I pursue my expertise in environmental monitoring during my available time. 

Leveraging my background in electronics, I design and implement sophisticated monitoring stations to measure crucial meteorological and environmental parameters. 

I manage the entire process, from configuring power systems with photovoltaic panels to installing sensors that track air temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation, precipitation, soil moisture and tree growth. 

Some sensors, like those for measuring tree stem changes and sap flux, are custom-built in our lab. 

I also program and manage data acquisition systems, ensuring accurate data collection and analysis. 

My work aims to assess how trees and forests respond to environmental changes, particularly extreme weather and water use, to mitigate climate change impacts.