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.
