I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, through which I developed a strong interest in both clinical practice and experimental research. During my master’s thesis, I investigated the role of social chemosignals (i.e., body odors) in shaping emotion recognition in individuals with depressive and social anxiety symptoms. This early experience sparked my fascination with chemosensory communication.

During my one-year internship at the Eating Disorder Unit of Padova University Hospital, I became deeply interested in the psychopathology of anorexia nervosa. At the same time, I explored the potential of new technologies, such as virtual reality, as innovative tools for the assessment and treatment of eating disorders.

My current PhD project brings together these two main lines of interest: eating disorders and social chemosignals. Specifically, I am investigating how body odors from supportive others can buffer stress reactivity and modulate fear learning processes in individuals with anorexia nervosa. To do so, I employ classical conditioning paradigms combined with physiological and behavioral measures.

I am also attending a psychotherapy school and currently completing a clinical internship in the Medically Assisted Reproduction Unit at Padova University Hospital, where I work primarily with couples undergoing fertility treatments. This experience is broadening my clinical perspective and strengthening my overall interest in health psychology.

Outside of academia, I am passionate about music. I studied classical and jazz piano for over ten years and absolutely love live concerts (so much that I often spend most of my savings on them). At uni, you might also spot me wandering around with my playful Golden Retriever, Nadine, who never fails to brighten everyone’s day.

Supervisor: Prof. Valentina Cardi