About
Laura Petrini is an Associate Professor at the Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, affiliated with The Faculty of Medicine and the Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction. She leads the Laboratory of Neuropsychology and Pain, focusing on neuropsychological mechanisms of pain, neuroplasticity, mental health, and pain in vulnerable populations. Her work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education and health.
Education: She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Rome La Sapienza (2004) and a pedagogical qualification (2009). She has been an active member of professional organizations like the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) since 2008 and the Danish Society for Neuroscience (DSfN).
Research Interests: Her lab explores pain biomarkers, neuroplasticity, and translational pain neuroscience. Key areas include pain catastrophizing, experimental pain models, and neurophysiological mechanisms (e.g., EEG, MEG, TMS). She develops digital tools like the Telepalliation platform for palliative care and investigates architectural design’s impact on stress and pain perception.
Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles since 2003, with recent work on pain modulation, cognitive control, and telemedicine. Her 2025 studies address pain catastrophizing and EEG-based pain inhibition mechanisms. Earlier work includes PAIC-15 pain assessment tools for cognitively impaired patients (2018–2020).
Awards: Recognitions include the IASP-Best Poster Prize (2022), Marie Curie Fellowship (2002), and Young Researcher Award (2003). She has supervised three PhD students and leads projects funded by EU Horizon (e.g., Digital Mental Health for Young People, 2024–2028).
Labs/Teams: Principal Investigator of the PAIC Consortium and collaborator on the Bevica NeuroEngineering Stroke Rehabilitation project. Her lab integrates neuroimaging, behavioral experiments, and clinical trials to advance pain management and palliative care technologies.
