CV.
Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy, Experimental Psychology, Linguistics, and Cognitive Neuroscience
University of Milano-Bicocca - 2013
M.S.c. Master of Science, Psychology of Organizations, and Consumer Behavior
Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca- 2007
(Advisor: Paolo Legrenzi)
With distinction and highest possible honors, (110 of 110 possible, plus laude)
B.S. Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca - 2004
Contact Me
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WHERE INSIGHTS COME FROM?
The science behind Aha! Moments
Have you ever had a great idea while staring out a window or closing your eyes in the shower? That’s no coincidence. I study how attention and vision change just before a creative insight appears. Using eye-tracking and pupil measurements, I uncover the hidden bodily signals that mark the exact moment when the brain switches from effortful thinking to sudden clarity. These tiny eye movements reveal when the mind is about to “see” the solution.
I also study a key brain region that helps us connect distant ideas: the right anterior temporal lobe. This area plays a major role in combining information in new ways, a crucial step in creative insight. Using safe, non-invasive brain stimulation, my research shows that gently stimulating this region can actually increase the likelihood of having insight moments—offering rare causal evidence for how creative ideas emerge in the brain.
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WHY CREATIVE IDEAS FEEL SO GOOD: NOVELTY, REWARD & DOPAMINE
Creative breakthroughs don’t just solve problems—they feel rewarding. My research explores how the brain’s dopamine system shapes curiosity, motivation, and the pleasure of discovery. I study what happens in the brain after an “Aha!” moment and why solving a problem can feel emotionally powerful. This work helps explain why we seek novelty, take creative risks, and feel driven to explore new ideas.
CAN WE TRUST OUR INSIGHTS?
Insight moments feel irresistibly right—but are they actually correct? My research shows that they usually are. In one of the first studies to directly test this question, we found that solutions reached through sudden insight are more accurate than those reached through slow, step-by-step reasoning. This means that the powerful feeling of certainty that comes with an “Aha!” moment is often a reliable signal—not just an illusion.
BRINGING INSIGHT RESEARCH TO ITALY
To make creativity research truly international, I developed Italian versions of several classic insight and creativity tasks. This allows researchers to study creative thinking in Italian-speaking populations and supports global collaborations on how people generate original ideas.
HOW WE REASON — AND WHY WE FALL FOR FAKE NEWS
Why do some people fall for misinformation while others spot it instantly? My latest research explores the mental habits that shape how we judge what is true. I study how reasoning, problem-solving skills, and cognitive flexibility protect us from fake news, conspiracy theories, and overconfidence. This work shows that the same skills that help us solve puzzles and think creatively also help us navigate today’s complex information world more wisely.