Dr Pappalardo founded in 2006 the CNR-IMAA Atmospheric Observatory (CIAO), the only Italian station present in GRUAN (GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network - the climate reference network).

She has a scientific background in laser spectroscopy and over 30 years of experience in research activity in the field of studying the physical properties of the atmosphere with remote sensing techniques. She coordinated several EU and national research projects, mostly related to Research Infrastructures.

Dr. Pappalardo is the EARLINET (European Aerosol Lidar Network) speaker and co-chair of GALION, the GAW Aerosol Lidar Observation Network.

Dr Pappalardo was the Chair of the ESFRI Strategy Working Group for Environment in the period 2012-2019. She is the Italian delegate in the ESFRI Forum since 2016 and member of the ESFRI Executive Board since 2019. She is the Italian representative of the Horizon Europe Programme Committee for Research Infrastructures and alternate National Representative for the Mission “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities” in HORIZON Europe.

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