“My first body: bodily-self representation in normal and pathological developmental context”
ERC Starting Grant 2022 to Francesca Garbarini
The representation of one’s own body as a distinct entity from the environment (i.e., bodily-self representation, BSR) is a fundamental component of our sense of self. Neuropsychological literature has provided an important contribution, revealing that brain damage can selectively disrupt BSR. MyFirstBody starts from my well-grounded expertise in BSR pathological alterations, and aims at providing the first comprehensive account of the ontogenetic development of BSR, by translating from a neuropsychological to a developmental perspective. First, I will look for implicit signatures of the BSR emergence in prenatal and postnatal life, by describing the maturation of the crucial components identified through the study of neurological patients (WP1).
Then, I will move to a causative level, by challenging a) the neural mechanism that underpins the BSR emergence (WP2) and b) the developmental context that leads to its normal and pathological growth (WP3). I expect to describe a clear picture of BSR development (WP1) and its underlying network dynamics (WP2), starting with a primitive coding of the bodily-self in space, which likely emerges in the maternal womb, and proceeding to further specializations along post-natal life until the maturation of a more abstract knowledge of the bodily-self. From the comparison between congenital and acquired motor deprivations (WP3), I expect to provide the proof that early motor experience represents the crucial context for BSR development. MyFirstBody pioneers a new area of research at the intersection between neuropsychological and developmental research, by addressing different levels of analysis (cognitive and neural) in foetuses, infants, and clinical populations, all while combining advanced neuroimaging techniques (foetal fMRI, EEG, fNIRS). The final outcome will result in original theoretical insights, innovative methods and translational impacts that will represent the optimal foundation for future investigation in the field.
JOIN US!
Are you interested in a position in our group? That’s great!
We are looking for highly motivated PhD students interested in studying the development of body representation and multisensory integration.
The Phd students will work for three years in the context of the ERC-Starting Grant “MyFirstBody” (Principal Investigator: Francesca Garbarini) and they will contribute to all steps of the research from literature review to implementation of study design, data collection, data analysis and preparation of manuscripts.
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REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
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Master’s Degree in Psychology, Medicine, Medical Sciences or Biomedical Engineering
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Previous psychophysiological research experience (EEG and/or fNIRS and/or fMRI)
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Knowledge of written and spoken English (excellent level)
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Ability to use computer tools (e.g., Office package)
REQUIRED SOFT SKILLS
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Relational and communication skills
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Cognitive flexibility and problem-solving
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Planning and organisation skills
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Team working
PREFERENTIAL PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
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Previous research experience with perinatal and/or clinical populations
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Previous work experience in a multidisciplinary team
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Rudimental experience in psychophysiological data analysis
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Programming competences
TASKS
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Recruitment of experimental samples (e.g., newborns, infants, adults)
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Administration of experimental protocols and data collection of behavioural and psychophysiological experimental protocols
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Analysis of experimental data
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Writing of scientific papers
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Dissemination of results at scientific national and international congresses
We are also looking for motivated research assistants and postdoctoral researchers.
If you are interested, please contact hr.manibus@gmail.com by sending an email with your curriculum vitae, a short description of your experience in the field and your motivation for why you would like to work with us.
