Veronica Mazza

2003- 2006: PhD in Cognitive Science, University of Padova, Italy. Supervisors: Dr. Carlo Umiltà, Dr. Martin Eimer

2003- 2004: Visiting post-graduate student, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK. Supervisor: Dr. Martin Eimer

2001-2002: Training in Experimental and Clinical Neuropsychology- University of Padova and Treviso Hospital, Italy

2001: Degree in Experimental Psychology (five years degree), University of Padova, Italy. 

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS 

2015- present: Associate Professor of Psychobiology, Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento.

2008- 2014: Assistant Professor of Psychobiology, Faculty of Cognitive Science and CIMeC, University of Trento.

2006-2008: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Cognitive Sciences and Education and CIMeC, University of Trento, Italy.

Other Professional Experience

2019 (May):  Visiting fellow, Erasmus+ teaching mobility, Department of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Germany

2008 (April-July):  Visiting scientist, Cognitive Neuropsychology Lab, Harvard University.

2005: Research fellow, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK.

TEACHING AND SUPERVISION

Teaching- Main courses

Undergraduate           

2008-present            Perception and Attention (9 CFU)

                                 Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Italy

2015-present            Advanced Topics in Perception and Attention (6 CFU, co-teaching)

                                 CIMeC, University of Trento

2015-2017                Cognitive Psychology (6 CFU, co-teaching)

                                 CIMeC, University of Trento                 

2016-2017                Independent Studies (6 CFU, co-teaching)

                                 CIMeC, University of Trento 

Graduate                   

2009-present           Electrophysiological investigations of cognitive functions (1.5 CFU)

                                PhD School in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Italy

Supervision                                          

Research Assistants     Maddalena Flaim (2019-present)

                                     Elisa Fait (2011-2015) 

                                     Anna Dal Molin (2009-2011) 

Internships                    Giulia Cristoforetti (2016-2017)   

PhD students                Alexandria Holcomb (2019-present)         

                                     Francesca Perna (2014-2017)

                                    Silvia Pagano, University of Trento (2009-2012)

                                    Shady Rahayel, Université du Québec à Montréal (February-May 2013)

Post-Doctoral Fellows   Chiara Tagliabue (2016-present)

                                      Marlene Poncet (2015)                                    

                                      Chiara Bagattini (2014-2015, co-supervision)                                     

                                      Silvia Pagano (2013-2015)

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

https://r1.unitn.it/apa/

Areas

Visual Perception, Attention, Aging and Human Electrophysiology

Specific Topics

In my research I try to understand how the visual system selectively individuates and identifies the relevant objects presented in a cluttered scene. I address this question mainly through electrophysiological and behavioral measures in human adults.

Some specific questions I am currently addressing:

How does the visual system selectively individuate the relevant objects in a cluttered scene? Does selection occur through target enhancement or distractor suppression?

Representative publications:

Mazza, V. (2017). Simultanagnosia and object individuation. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 34, 430-439. DOI: 10.1080/02643294.2017.1331212

Porter, K.B., Mazza, V. Garofalo, A., & Caramazza, A. (2016). Visual object individuation occurs over object wholes, parts, and even holes. Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, DOI 10.3758/s13414-016-1064-0.

Tollner, T., Conci, M., Muller, H.J., & Mazza, V. (2016). Attending to Multiple Objects Relies on Both Feature- and Dimension-based Control Mechanisms: Evidence from Human Electrophysiology. Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, 78, 2079-2089.

Mazza, V., Pagano, S., & Caramazza, A. (2013). Multiple object individuation and exact enumeration. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 25, 697-705.

Mazza, V., Turatto, M., & Caramazza, A. (2009). Attention selection, distractor suppression and N2pc. Cortex, 45, 879-890.

How do object individuation abilities change in aging?

Representative publications:

Tagliabue, C.F., Assecondi, S., Cristoforetti, G., & Mazza, V. (2020). Learning by task repetition enhances object individuation and memorization in the elderly. Scientific Reports, 10, 19957. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75297-x

Tagliabue, C.F., Lombardi, L., & Mazza, V. (2020). Individuation of object parts in aging. Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, 82, 2703–2713. 10.3758/s13414-020-01996-2

Tagliabue, C.F., Brignani, D, & Mazza, V. (2019). Does numerical similarity alter age-related distractibility in working memory? PLoS ONE. 14(9): e0222027. 10.1371/journal.pone.0222027

Mazza, V., & Brignani, D. (2016). Electrophysiological advances on multiple object processing in aging. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 8, 46, doi:10.3389/fnagi.2016.00046.

Pagano, S., Fait, E., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2016). Object individuation and compensation in healthy aging. Neurobiology of Aging, 40, 145-54.

Pagano, S., Fait, E., Monti, A., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2015). Electrophysiological correlates of subitizing in healthy aging. PLoS ONE, 10, e0131063.

What is the interplay between the individuation and identification mechanisms during the execution of different tasks? What are their spatio-temporal brain dynamics?

Representative publications:

Pagano, S., Lombardi, L., & Mazza, V. (2014). Brain dynamics of attention and working memory engagement in subitizing. Brain Research, 1543, 244-252.

Pagano, S., & Mazza, V. (2013). Multiple object individuation during numerical Stroop. Psychophysiology, 50, 292-296.

Mazza, V., & Caramazza, A. (2012). Perceptual grouping and visual enumeration. PLoS ONE, 7, e50862.

Mazza, V., & Caramazza, A. (2011). Temporal brain dynamics of multiple object processing: the flexibility of individuation. PLoS ONE, 6, e17453.

Mazza, V., Turatto, M., Umiltà, C., & Eimer, M. (2007). Attentional selection and identification of visual objects are reflected by distinct electrophysiological responses. Experimental Brain Research, 181, 531-536.

Editorial activity

Reviewing Editor        

2016-present                Frontiers in Psychology        

Ad-hoc Journal Reviewing 

Advances in Cognitive Psychology, Attention Perception and Psychophysics, Behavioral and Brain Functions, Biological Psychology, Brain Research, Brain Sciences, Brain Topography, Brain and Cognition, British Journal of Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Neuropsychology, Cognition, Cognitive Science, Cortex, Experimental Brain Research, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Frontiers in Psychology, Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, Human Brain Mapping, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Numerical Cognition, Journal of Psychophysiology, Laterality, Neurobiology of Aging, Neuroimage, Neuropsychologia, Neuropsychology, Neuroscience Letters, PLoS ONE, Psychological Research, Psychophysiology, Quartely Journal of Experimental Psychology, Scientific Reports, The Open Behavioral Science Journal, Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

Grant review panels

2014 : Marie Curie Actions- Incoming Fellowship Programme

University Service

2016-2019:  Vice Coordinator of the PhD Program in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, CIMeC, University of Trento

2013-present:  Coordinator of the Experimental Psychology Labs, CIMeC, University of Trento

2012-present: CIMeC delegate for Internship activities

2012-2017:  Faculty Coordinator of the Doctoral School Day (1 CFU), PhD School in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Italy

2011-2016: Co-organizer of the Educational Labs (co-funded by the Autonomous Province of Trento, Rovereto), University of Trento. Research Laboratories dedicated to high-school students.

2010-present: Member of the Executive Committee of the PhD School in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, CIMeC, University of Trento

2010-2016: Member of the “Premio Graziola” evaluation committee, University of Trento and FBK, Trento

2008-present: Contact researcher for the EEG Laboratory, CIMeC, University of Trento

2008-present: Member of the PhD School in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, CIMeC, University of Trento

2019                Member of the PhD dissertation committee, University of Verona

2019                 External reviewer, PhD examination committee, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich

2018                 External reviewer, PhD examination committee, University of Auckland

2018                 Member of the PhD dissertation committee, University of Padova

2018                 Member of the PhD dissertation committee, University of Verona

2013                 Member of the PhD dissertation committee, University of Padova

Organization of Scientific Events

2017:   Co-organizer of the workshop “Ten years of Mind/Brain Sciences at the University of Trento

2010-present: Member of the Scientific Committee of RAW (Rovereto Attention Workshop), CIMeC, University of Trento

2016: Symposium (co-chair: Thomas Tollner) “Relationship between selective attention and working memory: New insights from event-related EEG lateralizations”, International Meeting of the Psychonomic Society 2016

2007-2009: Co-organizer of the CIMeC Colloquia Series, University of Trento

GRANTS

Strategic projects, University of Trento, 2018-present (role: Principal Investigator). “The RARE (Reversing Aging and Resilience in the Elderly) Net”.

ITPAR (India-Trento Program for Advanced Research), 2018-present (role: vice-coordinator for the Neuroscience area- UniTN unit).

Post-doctoral funding, Autonomous Province of Trento (Comune di Rovereto), 2016-present (role: Principal Investigator). “Cognitive training, plasticity and active aging”

Giovani Ricercatori, Italian Ministry of Health, 2012-2016 (role: Principal Investigator).“Brain and cognitive dynamics of multiple-object processing in normal aging, MCI and Alzheimer disease”.

MIUR-PRIN, Italian Ministry of Research, 2006-2007 (role: member of Research Unit).

Society Membership (Past and present): Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS), Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR), Vision Sciences Society (VSS), European Society for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (ESCAN), Human Brain Mapping (HBM), Psychonomic Society, Italian Association of Psychology (AIP).

AWARDS and FELLOWSHIPS

2019:         Erasmus+ funds for teaching mobility

2014:         Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) fellowship, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (Germany).

2004:         “Young Researcher Award” of the Italian Association of Psychology.

2006-2008:  Post-doctoral fellowship, Autonomous Province of Trento (Rovereto), Italy.

2003-2005:  Pre-doctoral fellowship, Italian Ministry of Research.

2003-2004:  Pre-doctoral fellowship for mobility, Italian Ministry of Research.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS (since 2013)  

Tagliabue, C.F., Assecondi, S., & Mazza, V (2019) Working memory practice enhances object individuation and memorization in the elderly. European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP, talk).

Bagattini, C., Mazza, V., Ferrari, C., and Brigani, D. (2018). Connectivity alterations underlying the breakdown of pseudoneglect in Alzheimer’s disease. SIPF, Società Italiana di Psicofisiologia 2018.

Brignani, D., Piercarli, M., Panizza, L., Mazza, V., & Miniussi, C. (2018). tES and alertness in aging. SIPF, Società Italiana di Psicofisiologia 2018.

Tagliabue, C.F., Cristoforetti, G., Brignani, D., & Mazza V. (2018) Age-related redistribution of processing resources influences visual working memory content. Sepex, Sepneca and AIP Experimental Joint Conference.

Tagliabue, C.F., Mazza, V. (2018) Bilateral field presentation modulates subitizing. 41th European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP).

Vaes, J., Cristoforetti, G., Ruzzante, D., Cogoni, C., & Mazza V. (2018). Sexual objectification beyond the metaphor: Comparing neural responses between objectified human targets and real objects. Association for Psychological Science 2018.

Perna, F., Pavani, F., & Mazza, V. (2017). Musical long-term training and auditory detection. International Convention of Psychological Science 2017.

Tagliabue, C.F., Cristoforetti, G., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V (2017). Age-related influences of distractor processing on visual working memory content. European Conference on Visual Perception.

Bogdanov, V.B., Bordier, C., Mazza, V., & Macaluso, E. (2017). Fronto-parietal EEG inter-subjects synchronization during watching of naturalistic videos predicts subsequent memory recall. Society for Neuroscience.

Perna, F., Pavani, F., & Mazza, V. (2017). Orienting attention in time: cue modality and musical expertise. Rhythm Production and Perception Workshop 2017.

Perna, F., Zampini, M., & Mazza, V. (2016). Rhythm perception and musical expertise. Cognition and Evolution Workshop 2016.

Mazza, V. (2016). Multiple object individuation and aging. International Meeting of the Psychonomic Society 2016 (talk at symposium).

Perna, F., Zampini, M., & Mazza, V. (2016). Behavioral dynamics of rhythm perception: the effect of musical expertise. International Meeting of the Psychonomic Society 2016.

Perna, F., Zampini, M., Pavani, F., & Mazza, V. (2016). Deviance detection in musicians. Cognitive Science Arena 2016 (talk).  

Bagattini C., Panizza L., Miniussi C., Mazza V, Brignani, D. (2015). Multiple object processing in Alzheimer’s disease: behavioural and electrophysiological evidence. Rovereto Attention Workshop 2015.

Pagano, S., Fait, E., Brignani, D, & Mazza, V. (2015). Object individuation and compensation in healthy aging. Rovereto Attention Workshop 2015.

Bagattini, C., et al. (2015). Multiple object processing in Alzheimer’s disease: behavioural and electrophysiological evidence. Italian Society for Psychophysiology Meeting.

Poncet, M., Caramazza, A., & Mazza, V. (2015). Individuation of objects and object parts rely on the same neuronal mechanism. European Conference of Visual Perception (talk).  

Pagano, S., Fait, E., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2015). Brain plasticity in healthy aging during multiple object perception. Human Brain Mapping 2015.

Poncet, M., Caramazza, A., & Mazza, V. (2015). Individuation of objects and object parts. Rovereto Workshop on Concepts, Actions and Objects 2015.

Mazza, V., Pagano, S., Fait, E., Monti, A., Brignani, D. (2015). Enumeration in the old brain. Human Brain Mapping 2015.

Pagano, S., Fait, E., Monti, A., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2015). Multiple object processing in healthy aging. Workshop on lateralized attention in the brain. Center for Advanced Studies, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich.

Mazza, V., & Pagano, S. (2014). Individual differences in masking sensitivity predict enumeration abilities. European Conference on Visual Perception 2014.

Pagano, S., Fait, E., Monti, A., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2014) Neural correlates of age-related changes during multiple object processing. SIPF, Società Italiana di Psicofisiologia 2014.

Pagano, S., & Mazza, V. (2014). Enumeration abilities in healthy aging. European Conference on Visual Perception 2014 (talk).

Pagano, S., Fait, E., Monti, A., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2014). Neural correlates of multiple object processing in healthy aging. FENS 2014 Forum of Neuroscience.

Mazza, V., Pagano, S., & Caramazza, A. (2014). Multiple levels of representation in multiple target processing. ESCAN 2014 – European Society for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (invited talk at symposium).

Fait, E., Pagano, S., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2014). Object individuation and plasticity in aging. Cognition and Evolution Workshop 2014.

Pagano, S., Lombardi, L., & Mazza, V. (2013). An electrophysiological assessment of the role of visual working memory in subitizing. 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research.

Mazza, V., Pagano, S., & Caramazza, A. (2013). N2pc and multiple target individuation. 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research (invited talk at symposium).

Pagano, S., Fait, E., Monti, A., Brignani, D., & Mazza, V. (2013). Brain dynamics of multiple object processing in healthy aging. Rovereto Attention Workshop 2013.

Munneke, J., Fait, E., & Mazza, V. (2013). Attentional processing of multiple targets and distracters. 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research.

Fait, E., Pagano, S., Caramazza, A., & Mazza, V. (2013). Subitizing within and between objects.  Rovereto Attention Workshop 2013.

Porter, K.B., Garofalo, A., Mazza, V., & Caramazza, A. (2013). Subitizing occurs across features of a single object. 2013 meeting of the Vision Sciences Society.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

2019                           “Il nostro cervello può davvero invecchiare bene?” CIMeC Città (talk to the general public, organized                                         by the City of Rovereto).

2018                           Member of the organizing committee of a workshop on healthy aging open to the public           

                                   (https://webmagazine.unitn.it/evento/cimec/43206/invecchiamento-e-ricerca-prospettive-per-il-territorio)

2017                           “Si può davvero invecchiare bene?” Article in Trentino (local newspaper)- 8/9/2017

2017                            Tutor for high-school students (Learning and Working training system).

2016-present               Consulting scientist for Wired (Italian edition).

2013                            “Aspettando le Olimpiadi delle Neuroscienze” (Waiting for the Neuroscience Olympics). Lecture on                                            Cognitive Neuroscience. The Tridentine Museum of Natural Sciences (MUSE), Trento.

2012                            CIMeC at Robocup, Riva del Garda. Exhibit on visual perception at the 2012 Edition of Robocup JR.  

2011-2012                  Trento Researchers’ Night (funded by the European Commission- Research and Innovation). Co-                                             organization of exhibits of electrophysiological experiments on human cognition.                                     

2011                            Neuroscientific cafè, Rovereto. Lecture to the general public on visual                                                                                          perception and illusions.

2011                            Civic Museum, Rovereto. Guest on the round-table “Women and Science”.