Stefania Conte

Stefania Conte serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Binghamton University, leading the Early NeuroCognitive Development (ENCoDe) Team. Her research investigates the interplay between functional and structural brain development in infancy, with emphasis on face processing mechanisms and social communication.

Education:

• Postdoc, University of South Carolina
• Visiting Scholar, University of Florida
• Ph.D., M.A., B.A., University of Milan-Bicocca (Italy)

Conte employs multimodal neuroimaging techniques including EEG with source analysis and structural MRI to examine how neural maturation interacts with visual perception, attention, emotion, and language processing during development. Her work establishes foundational trajectories for typical brain development while providing critical insights into atypical neurodevelopmental pathways. The research directly informs understanding of social communication disorders through rigorous investigation of cognitive domain interactions.

Advising and Research Environment:

Conte mentors PhD student Tringa Lecaj and former Master's student Crystal Collins, alongside multiple undergraduate researchers. Her ENCoDe Lab operates within Binghamton's Brain and Body Imaging Research Center (BBIRC), maintaining strict infant-friendly protocols with parental accompaniment during all procedures. The lab emphasizes inclusive science through active recruitment of historically excluded minorities and transparent community engagement.

Laboratory Operations:

The ENCoDe Team conducts longitudinal studies with monetary compensation up to $360, free parking, sibling childcare, and travel assistance. EEG sessions (1 hour) occur in Science IV Room G75 while MRI scans (2.5 hours) utilize the BBIRC facility. All research prioritizes non-invasive methods with engaging stimuli for infants, maintaining natural sleep cycles during scans and providing families with brain image copies upon request.