Andrea Sommese

Andrea Sommese, PhD, is a Research Fellow at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, focusing on animal cognition and welfare, particularly in canids. Her work bridges ecology, neuroscience, and applied veterinary science.

• Education:
  • B.Sc. in Natural Sciences (2012), University of Naples 'Federico II'
  • M.Sc. in Ecology and Evolution (2014), University of Ferrara
  • Ph.D. in Animal Science (2021), Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Her research explores dog-human communication, language learning in dogs, and welfare improvements for small companion animals like cats and guinea pigs. Methodologies include eye-tracking, olfactory studies, event-related potentials (ERP), 3D modeling, and wearable sensors to measure cognition, social attention, and physiological responses. She collaborates with Royal Canin on interdisciplinary projects integrating learning and nutrition.

Currently affiliated with the Center for Animal Nutrition and Welfare and the Clever Dog Lab, her postdoctoral work emphasizes human-animal interactions in veterinary practices, shelters, and homes, aiming to enhance welfare monitoring tools and caretaker understanding.