Stefania Sparnocchia is a physical oceanographer with experience in field observations, data analysis and in handling and using oceanographic instrumentation. She participated in several European research projects (e.g. EUROMODEL I & II, GEODYME, MATER, MFS,SESAME and KM3NET). She also coordinates the Trans National Access to Coastal Observatories activities in the FP7 project JERICO and is member of its Steering Committee. She is a member of the Marine Observation and Data Expert Group which advises DG-MARE on matters concerning marine observation and data. She is the National Correspondent for the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans and member of its Executive Committee. She is the representative of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics to the UNESCO International Oceanographic Commission. She works at the CNR-ISMAR Institute.