Prof. Dr. Laura Piccardi | Cognitive Neuroscience | Women Researcher Award

Sapienza University of Rome | Italy

Laura Piccardi is a distinguished scholar and full professor in the Department of Psychology at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Renowned for her expertise in spatial cognition, neuropsychology, and individual differences, she has made significant contributions to understanding how humans navigate and process spatial information across the lifespan. Her academic journey has been marked by prestigious positions, extensive research output, and influential collaborations with leading institutions worldwide, including Harvard Medical School, Karolinska Institutet, and the National University of Singapore. With over two hundred peer-reviewed publications, she is recognized for integrating experimental and clinical approaches to explore cognitive decline, hemineglect, and navigational memory. Beyond research, she is a dedicated educator, mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Her work bridges theoretical insight with applied relevance, making her a leading figure in cognitive neuroscience and a sought-after expert in multidisciplinary research on spatial and cognitive processes.

Profile

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Education

Laura Piccardi pursued her academic formation at Sapienza University of Rome, where she earned her doctoral degree in cognitive neuroscience. Following her doctoral studies, she engaged in advanced postdoctoral research at the prestigious Collège de France and the Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris, working under world-leading experts in spatial navigation and neuropsychology. She began her academic career as a researcher in the Life, Health, and Environmental Science Department at the University of L’Aquila, where she deepened her focus on spatial memory and cognitive differences. Her progression from researcher to associate professor reflected her outstanding contributions to the field, leading to her eventual appointment as full professor at Sapienza University of Rome. Throughout her academic training, she complemented her formal education with international collaborations, advanced methodological training, and interdisciplinary research experiences, shaping her into a versatile scholar with strong expertise at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology, and spatial cognition research

Experience

Laura Piccardi’s professional experience spans research, teaching, and clinical practice. She has held faculty positions at the University of L’Aquila and Sapienza University of Rome, where she teaches courses in general psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, spatial cognition, and learning disabilities. Her research has been supported by competitive grants, leading projects on spatial cognition, navigational memory, emotional-cognitive variables, and eco-sustainable decision-making. In addition to academic roles, she has collaborated extensively with rehabilitation and medical institutes, such as the IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia and San Raffaele facilities, integrating clinical work with cognitive neuroscience research. Internationally, she has engaged in partnerships with institutions in Singapore, Spain, Sweden, France, and the United States, expanding her research impact across cultural and methodological contexts. Her experience reflects a balance between laboratory-based research, applied clinical studies, and educational leadership, establishing her as a versatile academic committed to advancing both scientific knowledge and practical applications in psychology

Awards and Honors

Awards and Honors (150 words)
Laura Piccardi’s work has earned recognition through prestigious awards, editorial appointments, and invitations to speak at international conferences. Early in her career, she received the Young Researcher Award from Sapienza University of Rome, highlighting her potential for impactful contributions to cognitive neuroscience. She serves as an associate editor for prominent journals, including Frontiers in Cognitive Neuroscience, and as a guest editor for thematic issues in learning and memory. Her reputation in the field is further underscored by her role as a symposium organizer, invited speaker, and scientific reviewer for leading academic outlets. Her research collaborations with globally renowned universities and medical centers also reflect her standing in the international scientific community. These honors, combined with sustained funding for innovative projects, demonstrate her influence in shaping current discourse in spatial cognition, neuropsychology, and cognitive aging, while also inspiring a new generation of researchers through mentorship and cross-disciplinary engagement.

Research Focus

Laura Piccardi’s research centers on spatial cognition, exploring how individuals perceive, process, and remember spatial information, and how these abilities vary across populations. She investigates individual differences in spatial abilities, the cognitive mechanisms underlying navigation, and the neural bases of these processes in both healthy and clinical groups. Her work encompasses neuropsychological conditions such as hemineglect, multiple sclerosis, and cognitive decline, aiming to identify cognitive markers that could inform rehabilitation strategies. She has developed innovative experimental paradigms using virtual reality to study spatial memory, navigational skills, and the role of emotional and cognitive factors in decision-making. Additionally, her research addresses how environmental, social, and psychological factors influence spatial abilities, particularly in aging populations. By integrating clinical, experimental, and technological approaches, her work contributes to theoretical models of spatial cognition while offering practical implications for education, clinical rehabilitation, and human-environment interaction design

 

Publications

 

Title: Neural bases of personal and extrapersonal neglect in humans
Year: 2007
Citation: 403

Title: Development of neuropsychiatric symptoms in poststroke patients: a cross‐sectional study
Year: 2004
Citation: 321

Title: Gender effects in young road users on road safety attitudes, behaviors and risk perception
Year: 2016
Citation: 314

Title: Where do bright ideas occur in our brain? Meta-analytic evidence from neuroimaging studies of domain-specific creativity
Year: 2015
Citation: 311

Title: The meditative mind: A comprehensive meta‐analysis of MRI studies
Year: 2015
Citation: 278

Title: Walking in the Corsi test: which type of memory do you need?
Year: 2008
Citation: 195

Title: Frontal EEG asymmetry of mood: a mini-review
Year: 2017
Citation: 165

Title: Cognitive reserve in healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis of fMRI studies
Year: 2016
Citation: 133

Conclusion

Laura Piccardi stands out as a leading figure in spatial cognition and neuropsychology, seamlessly integrating research, teaching, and clinical expertise. Her contributions span fundamental theory, experimental innovation, and applied practice, making her work relevant to both scientific and societal challenges. Through sustained international collaborations, influential publications, and impactful mentorship, she has advanced understanding of spatial memory, cognitive decline, and navigational processes. Her ability to bridge interdisciplinary perspectives ensures her research remains at the forefront of cognitive neuroscience. With a career defined by intellectual rigor, creativity, and collaborative spirit, she continues to shape the future of spatial cognition research worldwide.