Gianluca Esposito

Gianluca Esposito is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science at the University of Trento. He serves on the University Council and holds a leadership role as Director of the department. His expertise spans clinical neuroscience, developmental psychology, cognitive science, and social neuroscience. He teaches courses including Psicologia clinica, Ricerca e indicatori precisi, and Sviluppo psicologico tipico e atipico.

His research focuses on interpersonal neural synchrony, developmental disabilities, and the neurobiological underpinnings of social behavior. Recent studies explore brain-to-brain synchrony in romantic relationships, the impact of performance-enhancing substances, and the role of cultural capital in empathy and alexithymia.

Esposito’s work integrates interdisciplinary methods, including functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), machine learning, and scientometric analysis. He has contributed to understanding sleep disturbances in clinical populations and the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His research has been published in high-impact journals and addresses global health challenges, such as the opioid crisis and climate action interventions. Collaborative projects include initiatives to enhance mental health support in low-resource settings and improving speech therapy accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Esposito’s lab focuses on translational research, bridging basic neuroscience with clinical and social applications. He advocates for evidence-based policies to address developmental disabilities and public health disparities.