Suzanne Stevenson is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Cognitive Science Research Community (CoRC). She holds a BS in Computer Science and Linguistics from William & Mary and MS/PhD in Computer Science from the University of Maryland. Before joining UofT in 2000, she was faculty at Rutgers University with joint appointments in Computer Science and Cognitive Science. Her research focuses on computational cognitive models of language acquisition and processing, integrating insights from linguistics, psycholinguistics, and machine learning. Key areas include semantic/syntactic learning from text, probabilistic computational models of word learning, and cross-situational learning. Notable awards include the NSERC University Faculty Award (2000) and NSF CAREER Award (1997). Her work bridges computational linguistics and cognitive science, emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches. Recent publications (2014–2018) explore topics like probabilistic perspective models in language production, bilingual word associations, and semantic search algorithms. She advises on computational linguistics and cognitive modeling, with grants supporting investigations into language acquisition dynamics and semantic networks. Active in teaching, she previously offered courses on computational linguistics and the computational lexicon. Her lab’s research themes include child language acquisition, ambiguity resolution, and computational modeling of linguistic phenomena.
Lucia Savadori is an Associate Professor in Psychology at the Department of Economics and Management, Università degli Studi di Trento. Her research focuses on risk perception, decision-making processes, behavioral economics, and effective communication strategies for risk-related information. She holds a BA and PhD in Psychology from the University of Padua, with postdoctoral research at Padova and visiting scholarships at institutions like the University of Illinois and Decision Research (USA). Education : B.A. in Psychology (1993), University of Padua PhD in Social and Personality Psychology (1999), University of Padua Research Interests : Risk communication in healthcare, technology, and environmental contexts Behavioral economics and decision-making under uncertainty Cognitive processes in judgment and choice Her work has been supported by grants including the Horizon 2020-funded BuildERS project (2019–2022) and the Italian Ministry of Health’s prenatal diagnostics initiative (2010–2012). She has led over a dozen research projects on topics like workplace safety, disaster preparedness, and consumer trust in food systems. Professional Activities : Head of Training and Communication at the Centro di Scienze della Sicurezza e della Criminalità (2021–present) Scientific Committee member for European research networks (e.g., SAFE, SMARTHEALTH) Editorial reviewer for journals like Risk Analysis and Medical Decision Making Her teaching spans courses on general psychology, behavioral economics, decision-making tools, and organizational psychology.
Agar Brugiavini is a Full Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice's Department of Economics with significant institutional roles including Member of the Steering Committee of the Ca' Foscari International College, Ethics Committee member, and Coordinator of the Master's Degree Programme in Data Analytics for Business and Society. Her research focuses on: Economics of aging and retirement systems Social security policy evaluation Health economics and long-term care Labor market dynamics for older workers Impacts of demographic changes on social policies Her recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on pandemic impacts on labor markets, social care systems, and elderly populations, with methodological approaches spanning econometric analysis of survey data and cross-national comparative studies. The research shows consistent focus on vulnerable populations and policy-relevant outcomes. Dr. Brugiavini maintains active research collaborations as evidenced by multi-country studies using SHARE survey data and participates in key academic leadership positions within her institution.
Paola Venuti is a Full Professor at the Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, and currently serves as Vice-Rector for Teaching. She holds academic roles in the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and oversees the Interdepartmental Center for Medical Sciences (CISMED). Her research focuses on child development, autism spectrum disorders, and clinical psychology, with a particular emphasis on early diagnosis and intervention. She has led international projects, including the NIH-NICHD study on mother-infant relationships, and pioneered observational methods for assessing developmental disorders. Education: Laurea in Psychology (1980, University of Padua), PhD in Social and Developmental Psychology (1987), and postdoctoral research (1992–1994). She has held academic positions at the University of Padua and the Second University of Naples before joining the University of Trento in 2002. Research interests span developmental psychology, clinical interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders, and cross-cultural studies on parenting. She coordinates the Observation and Functional Diagnosis Laboratory and supervises clinical teams in rehabilitation and educational settings. Grants and Projects: Coordinated national and international projects, including the PRIN-funded study on early autism indicators and NIH-NICHD collaborations. She has authored numerous articles in journals like Developmental Psychology and Child Development , focusing on parent-child interaction, autism screening, and cognitive development. Labs/Teams: Leads the Observation and Functional Diagnosis Lab, collaborating with institutions like the Stella Maris Research Institute (Pisa) and rehabilitation centers in Trentino. Supervises postdocs, doctoral students, and researchers in cognitive and developmental studies.
Maria Chiara Passolunghi is a Full Professor in Developmental and Educational Psychology (MPSI/04) at the University of Trieste's Department of Life Sciences. She serves as a member of the Department's Board, Boards of Studies, and multiple Doctoral Studies Boards for the Neural and Cognitive Sciences program across various cycles (XXVIII-XXXIX). She leads the Evolutivamente LAB research group focused on typical and atypical development during the lifespan within the Psychology research area. Her primary research interests center on developmental mathematics and mathematics learning disabilities in children, with particular focus on working memory and mathematical cognition. Her work spans five main research lines: precursors of mathematical learning and their training, math-gender stereotypes, the Approximate Number System and its relationship with mathematics, math anxiety, and Executive Functions in both typical and atypical development. She investigates cognitive and emotional aspects involved in mathematical learning, with emphasis on early identification of risk factors and development of intervention programs. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on mathematical cognition, with particular attention to the intersection of cognitive and emotional factors in mathematical learning. Her work demonstrates strong emphasis on practical applications, including development of training programs for math anxiety, executive function interventions, and assessment tools for early identification of mathematical learning disabilities. The research spans diverse populations including typically developing children, those with mathematical learning disabilities, and children in highly deprived contexts such as Yazidi genocide survivors. Professor Passolunghi has secured significant research funding from multiple sources including A.B.C. Associazione per i Bambini Chirurgicos del Burlo Onlus, Auxilia Onlus, AIPD Associazione Italiana Persone Down, and Fondazione Beneficientia Stiftung. She also collaborates with institutional partners including Trieste Town Hall, Region FVG, and I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo of Trieste on various projects related to cognitive development, math learning, and interventions for at-risk populations. She leads the Evolutivamente LAB research group which includes Researcher Sandra Pellizzoni and PhD students Chiara De Vita, Martina Fontana, and Marjia Zivkovic. The lab focuses on exploring domain-specific and domain-general abilities involved in learning, with particular emphasis on precursors of mathematical ability and disability, working memory and number sense training, and emotional-motivational factors influencing learning disabilities. Current projects include studies on math anxiety in early primary school and development of specific training programs.
Tommaso Feraco is an Assistant Professor at the University of Padova , focusing on the intersection of education , psychology , and behavioral science . His work examines how social, emotional, and behavioral skills (SEBS) influence academic performance, well-being, and developmental outcomes across diverse populations, including adolescents, adults, and individuals with specific learning disabilities. Research trends highlight his contributions to character strengths , self-regulated learning , and adaptability in educational contexts. He has also developed methodological tools to address clustering analysis limitations in data science. His recent publications investigate SEBS applications in career readiness , pro-environmental behavior , and mental health resilience .
Andrea Bonarini is a Professor at the Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering (DEIB) within the School of Industrial and Information Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence , Robotics , and Human-Robot Interaction , particularly in assistive technologies for children with disabilities and autism therapy. Key Research Areas: Reinforcement Learning, Social Robotics, Affective Computing, Accessibility in Robot Design Notable Projects: Development of frameworks like Mushroomrl and datasets like POLIMI-ITW-S for robotics research His recent publications highlight advancements in playful robotics for neurodevelopmental disorders, emotion projection in non-bio-inspired robots, and safety experiments for small social robots interacting with children. He also contributes to ethical, social, and psychological challenges in robotics applications.
Giovanni Mento is an Associate Professor at the Department of General Psychology, University of Padova. His research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and clinical neurology, with a particular emphasis on neural mechanisms underlying cognitive control, emotional processing, and neurodevelopmental disorders. He employs advanced neuroimaging techniques like high-density EEG to investigate topics such as temporal prediction, decision-making in children, and the impact of preterm birth on brain development. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining machine learning with electrophysiological data analysis to address challenges in epilepsy forecasting and predictive brain activity. Key research areas include implicit learning, motivational contexts influencing cognition, and the application of EEG to study socio-emotional and behavioral disorders in clinical populations. Recent studies explore the effects of yoga-mindfulness interventions on cognitive control in children, dynamic brain states in preschoolers, and methodological rigor in EEG-based machine learning models. His contributions span both theoretical frameworks (e.g., re-examining top-down control models) and applied clinical research (e.g., neonatal intensive care practices). Mento’s articles highlight trends in understanding developmental trajectories, predictive neural mechanisms, and translational applications of neuroscientific findings to real-world contexts like education and healthcare.
ERIKA BORELLA is a Full Professor at the University of Padua, specializing in cognitive aging, working memory, and interventions for dementia. Her research focuses on understanding cognitive changes across the lifespan, including the effects of music, sleep, personality, and environmental design on mental health and cognition. She leads studies on cognitive stimulation therapy, therapeutic gardens for dementia care, and the development of assessment tools like the Padua PM task. Her work emphasizes practical applications, such as memory training programs and strategies to enhance quality of life in older adults. Research Interests: Cognitive Aging and Lifespan Development Executive Functioning and Attention Emotion Regulation and Mental Health Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention Therapeutic Environments for Dementia Cognitive Reserve and Lifelong Learning Key Contributions: Dr. Borella has pioneered studies on cognitive stimulation therapy efficacy, music-based interventions, and the role of soft skills in aging populations. Her work bridges theoretical research and practical solutions, such as designing dementia-friendly spaces and evaluating the impact of outdoor activities on cognitive function in older adults. Recent Trends in Publications: Her recent work explores how emotions influence sleep quality, the psychological impacts of the pandemic on older adults, and the development of questionnaires for injury prevention. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating neuroscience, psychology, and environmental design to address complex aging-related challenges. Labs and Teams: Dr. Borella collaborates on initiatives like Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and Therapeutic Garden Programs , promoting active aging through evidence-based interventions. These projects involve interdisciplinary teams focused on improving mental health, cognitive function, and quality of life for older adults.
Donato Romano serves as Associate Professor at The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italy, where he coordinates the Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab and co-founded the spin-off company HUBILIFE srl. His interdisciplinary work bridges robotics, biology, and AI to develop biohybrid systems for biodiversity preservation, sustainable environmental management, and life support in extreme scenarios including space exploration. With over 90 publications and an H-index of 27 (Scopus, March 2025), he has established significant academic leadership through editorial roles across 12+ international journals. Romano's educational foundation includes advanced degrees with honors: an M.Sc. in Agriculture Science and Technologies (2014) and a PhD in BioRobotics (2018), both from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. His academic journey includes visiting scholar positions at Khalifa University and substantial industry-academia collaboration through HUBILIFE srl, which commercializes bioinspired devices for human daily life improvement. His research program focuses on bioinspired and biomimetic robotics with particular emphasis on animal-robot interaction, biohybrid systems, and natural intelligence. Key projects address critical global challenges: SENSORBEES develops biohybrid environmental surveillance for ecological monitoring; REGOLIFE investigates lunar soil-terrestrial organism interactions for space agriculture; and OCEAN ROBOCTO explores marine ecosystem solutions. This work demonstrates a strategic progression from fundamental behavioral studies toward applied ecological and extraterrestrial systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in AI-driven behavioral analysis, with deep learning increasingly applied to entomological studies and pest management. The research spans agricultural applications (precision monitoring traps, larval detection systems), ecological conservation (biodiversity surveillance), and extreme-environment adaptation (lunar regolith studies). A distinctive feature is the consistent integration of biohybrid approaches where living organisms and robotic systems create synergistic capabilities exceeding either component alone. Romano's scientific recognition includes election as Junior Fellow of the Italian Academy of Engineering and Technology (2025), the Lucani fuori dal Comune award (2024), and multiple best-thesis prizes. His editorial leadership spans high-impact journals including IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics and Pest Management Science, where he serves as Associate Editor. As principal investigator, Romano coordinates major international projects totaling over €15M in funding: HORIZON-EIC's SENSORBEES (2024-2029), ASI's REGOLIFE (2024-2027), National Geographic's OCEAN ROBOCTO (2024-2026), and PRIN's COSMIC (2023-2025). His teaching portfolio includes PhD courses in Biosystems for Biorobotics and M.Sc. instruction in Bionics Engineering at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and University of Pisa. The Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab under Romano's direction pioneers biohybrid technologies where living organisms and robotic systems create integrated solutions. Current initiatives include SENSORBEES' environmental monitoring swarms, REGOLIFE's moonworm colonization systems, and HUBILIFE's commercial vector-control devices. The lab maintains active collaborations with space agencies, agricultural institutes, and conservation organizations, positioning biohybrid systems as next-generation tools for planetary-scale challenges.
Antonio Pierro is a Full Professor of Social Psychology at the Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Sapienza and has held post-doctoral positions there, including a grant from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. His academic roles include coordinating the Social Psychology Ph.D. Programme and serving as a reviewer for top journals like Psychological Science and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology . Education: Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome Ph.D. in Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome Postdoctoral Researcher at Sapienza Research Interests: Pierro’s work focuses on the interface between motivation and cognition, including: Power dynamics and leadership styles Persuasion and communication strategies Group processes and self-regulation Epistemic motivations (e.g., need for cognitive closure) Political psychology and extremism Cultural tightness-looseness and its societal implications Recent Projects: Ecological threats and their impact on cultural attitudes Role of cognitive closure in prejudice and leadership preferences Psychology of extremism and motivational imbalance Teaching: Currently teaches courses on Extremism Psychology and Persuasion & Interpersonal Influence at Sapienza. Courses are offered in Italian and English, with materials available via Google Classroom. Awards & Grants: Over 300 publications in international journals, though no specific awards are listed. Active in securing grants and maintaining collaborative research networks. Labs/Teams: Leads research projects on cultural tightness, pandemic psychology, and motivational dynamics within the Department of Psychology at Sapienza.
Barbara Penolazzi is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Trieste's Department of Life Sciences. She serves as a member of the Department's Board, coordinates Course of Study Advice for Psychological Sciences and Techniques, and participates in multiple Doctoral Colleges for Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences across numerous academic cycles. As the leader of the Clinical Psychology research group, her work focuses on "Typical and atypical development during lifespan" within the Psychology research area. Department Council - Member Course of Study Advice - Coordinator (Psychological Sciences and Techniques) Boards of Studies - Member (Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Neuropsychology) Doctoral Studies Boards - Member (Neural and Cognitive Sciences across multiple cycles) Professor Penolazzi's research spans clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and psychological well-being with emphasis on emotional intelligence, cognitive processes in various disorders, and brain mechanisms. Her work integrates experimental psychology with clinical applications, particularly using transcranial direct current stimulation to investigate neural mechanisms underlying decision-making, moral cognition, and memory processes. She has made significant contributions to understanding psychological mechanisms in eating disorders, schizophrenia, and addiction through a transdiagnostic lens. Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and clinical psychology. Recent work examines neural underpinnings of voluntary action, environmental sensitivity as a personality trait, and interventions for fostering emotional intelligence in preadolescence. Her research employs diverse methodologies including neurostimulation techniques, psychometric validation studies, and experimental paradigms to investigate cognitive control mechanisms across various clinical populations. Professor Penolazzi currently serves as Scientific Manager for two significant research projects funded by the Ministry of University and Research: "PROBEN_0000008 - Promotion of the Well-Being of the University Community - PRO-BENE-COMUNE" and "10% Trentin Silvia - 100% MUR". These projects reflect her commitment to applying psychological science to address contemporary mental health challenges within academic communities and beyond. Within the Department of Life Sciences, Professor Penolazzi leads the Clinical Psychology research group that investigates typical and atypical developmental trajectories across the lifespan. Her team employs a multidisciplinary approach combining cognitive neuroscience methods with clinical assessment to understand the mechanisms underlying various psychological conditions and to develop evidence-based interventions.
Alessandro Di Vita is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychological, Pedagogical, Physical Exercise and Training Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Palermo (UNIPA). His work centers on educational psychology, career orientation, and pedagogical methodologies for adolescents and university students. Research Interests: Expressive writing for life planning, self-efficacy development, performance anxiety management, peer tutoring, and intercultural education. Key Projects: «Telemaco» (remote peer tutoring), «FOrCe» (career guidance interventions), and «FOrP» (school-university transition). Collaborations: Worked with international institutions like Universidad Austral (Argentina) and Universidad de Estudios de Palermo (Italy). His publications from 2007–2025 reflect a consistent focus on adolescent relationships, educational reform, and digital pedagogy. He has contributed to validation studies for psychological scales like the Worry Emotionality-Junior (WE-J) and developed methodologies such as «SeCo» for post-diploma decision-making. Alessandro also emphasizes Student Voice in educational processes, promoting active participation and resource utilization. Recent works include international comparative studies on peer tutoring and training programs for secondary school teachers.
Simone Messerotti Benvenuti is an Associate Professor at the Department of General Psychology, University of Padova. His professional address is Via Venezia, 8 – Padova, and he can be reached at +39 049 827 6617. His research focuses on general psychological disciplines, and further details can be found on his research webpage or via Google Scholar. While specific research interests are not explicitly listed, his affiliation with the Department of General Psychology suggests engagement with areas such as cognitive processes, developmental psychology, and behavioral analysis. No awards or grants are mentioned in the provided materials.
Alice Guerrini is a Research Fellow at the Interdepartmental Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMEC) at the University of Trento, specializing in infant cognitive development and neural mechanisms of social cognition. Her research focuses on infant social cognition , particularly examining how infants process communicative signals, attribute mental states, and develop theory of mind. Key methodologies include electrophysiological recordings (ERPs, theta oscillations) to investigate neural correlates of belief attribution and agent recognition in infants as young as 4 months. Her work consistently explores false belief correction , non-human agency perception , and communicative information transfer during early development. Analysis of her 2025 publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on neural anticipation mechanisms in infant social cognition. All seven papers investigate how infants process communicative cues through electrophysiological markers, with particular emphasis on theta oscillations for mental state attribution and N170 responses for agent recognition. The research spans multiple international conferences including Dubrovnik Cognitive Science, CogEvo, and Lancaster Infant Development conferences. Guerrini collaborates extensively with Eugenio Parise and Giulia Mazzi , forming a core research team at CIMEC. Her work demonstrates strong integration between developmental psychology and cognitive neuroscience methodologies to uncover foundational mechanisms of human social cognition.
