Associate Professor Alan Pegna
Associate Professor

Alan Pegna

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+61 7 336 56412

Background

Associate Professor Alan Pegna is a neuropsychologist whose interests lie in the field of cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology. After receiving a Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and a second Masters degree in Human Physiology from University College London (UK), he obtained his PhD from the University of Geneva, using brain imaging techniques to study spatial processing in both healthy controls and brain-damaged patients.

He worked for over 20 years as a clinical neuropsychologist at Geneva University Hospital, and as an academic at the University of Geneva, where he supervised numerous research projects in the field of visual processing, again in healthy participants and in persons with focal brain lesions.

He joined UQ in 2015, where he now explores the neural basis of visual and spatial processing of emotional stimuli. More specifically, using EEG, he examines the brain's response to different facial expressions, as well as to faces that vary in their perceived approachability (e.g., their apparent trustwothiness). When possible, these studies are also carried out with brain-damaged individuals, in order to investigate the role of particular brain regions in these processes.

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Availability

Associate Professor Alan Pegna is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Cognitive and computational psychology Psychology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Geneva

Search Professor Alan Pegna’s works on UQ eSpace

175 works between 1986 and 2024
All (175) Journal Article (145) Conference Publication (30)

41 - 60 of 175 works

2019

Journal Article

Postoperative memory prognosis in temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: the contribution of postictal memory

Sveikata, Lukas, Kavan, Nicole, Pegna, Alan J., Seeck, Margitta, Assal, Frederic, Momjian, Shahan, Schaller, Karl and Vulliemoz, Serge (2019). Postoperative memory prognosis in temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: the contribution of postictal memory. Epilepsia, 60 (8) epi.16281, 1639-1649. doi: 10.1111/epi.16281

Postoperative memory prognosis in temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: the contribution of postictal memory

2019

Conference Publication

Individual Prediction of Postoperative Verbal Memory in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: the Contribution of Postictal Memory Testing (S48.004)

Sveikata, Lukas, Kavan, Nicole, Pegna, Alan, Seeck, Margitta, Momjian, Shahan, Schaller, Karl and Vulliemoz, Serge (2019). Individual Prediction of Postoperative Verbal Memory in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: the Contribution of Postictal Memory Testing (S48.004). AAN 71st Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA United States, 4-10 May 2019. Philadelphia, PA United States: Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1212/wnl.92.15_supplement.s48.004

Individual Prediction of Postoperative Verbal Memory in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: the Contribution of Postictal Memory Testing (S48.004)

2019

Journal Article

Second-language proficiency modulates the brain language control network in bilingual translators: An event-related fMRI study

Mouthon, Michael, Khateb, Asaid, Lazeyras, François, Pegna, Alan J., Lee-Jahnke, Hannelore, Lehr, Caroline and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2019). Second-language proficiency modulates the brain language control network in bilingual translators: An event-related fMRI study. Bilingualism, 23 (2), 1-14. doi: 10.1017/S1366728918001141

Second-language proficiency modulates the brain language control network in bilingual translators: An event-related fMRI study

2019

Conference Publication

Individual prediction of postoperative verbal memory in temporal lobe epilepsy: The contribution of postictal memory testing

Sveikata, Lukas, Kavan, Nicole, Pegna, Alan, Seeck, Margitta, Momjian, Shahan, Schaller, Karl and Vulliemoz, Serge (2019). Individual prediction of postoperative verbal memory in temporal lobe epilepsy: The contribution of postictal memory testing. 71st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Philadelphia, PA, United States, May 4-10, 2019. PHILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS.

Individual prediction of postoperative verbal memory in temporal lobe epilepsy: The contribution of postictal memory testing

2018

Journal Article

Seeing is believing: early perceptual brain processes are modified by social feedback

Zanesco, Julie, Tipura, Eda, Posada, Andres, Clément, Fabrice and Pegna, Alan J. (2018). Seeing is believing: early perceptual brain processes are modified by social feedback. Social Neuroscience, 14 (5), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/17470919.2018.1511470

Seeing is believing: early perceptual brain processes are modified by social feedback

2018

Conference Publication

Individual prediction of post-operative verbal memory decline in temporal lobe epilepsy: the contribution of post-ictal memory testing

Sveikata, L., Kavan, N., Pegna, A. J., Seeck, M., Momjian, S., Schaller, K. and Vulliemoz, S. (2018). Individual prediction of post-operative verbal memory decline in temporal lobe epilepsy: the contribution of post-ictal memory testing. 4th Congress of the European-Academy-of-Neurology (EAN), Lisbon Portugal, Jun 16-19, 2018. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

Individual prediction of post-operative verbal memory decline in temporal lobe epilepsy: the contribution of post-ictal memory testing

2018

Journal Article

Effects of stereoscopic disparity on early ERP components during classification of three-dimensional objects

Pegna, Alan J., Darque, Alexandra, Roberts, Mark V. and Leek, E. Charles (2018). Effects of stereoscopic disparity on early ERP components during classification of three-dimensional objects. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 71 (6), 1419-1430. doi: 10.1080/17470218.2017.1333129

Effects of stereoscopic disparity on early ERP components during classification of three-dimensional objects

2018

Journal Article

Early and late cortical responses to directly gazing faces are task dependent

Burra, Nicolas, Framorando, David and Pegna, Alan J. (2018). Early and late cortical responses to directly gazing faces are task dependent. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience, 18 (4), 796-809. doi: 10.3758/s13415-018-0605-5

Early and late cortical responses to directly gazing faces are task dependent

2018

Journal Article

Stereo viewing modulates three-dimensional shape processing during object recognition: A high-density ERP study

Oliver, Zoe J., Cristino, Filipe, Roberts, Mark V., Pegna, Alan J. and Leek, E. Charles (2018). Stereo viewing modulates three-dimensional shape processing during object recognition: A high-density ERP study. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 44 (4), 518-534. doi: 10.1037/xhp0000444

Stereo viewing modulates three-dimensional shape processing during object recognition: A high-density ERP study

2017

Journal Article

ERP responses greater for faces in the temporal compared to the nasal visual field

Framorando, David, Burra, Nicolas, Bapst, Mylène and Pegna, Alan J. (2017). ERP responses greater for faces in the temporal compared to the nasal visual field. Neuroscience Letters, 665, 7-12. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.11.031

ERP responses greater for faces in the temporal compared to the nasal visual field

2017

Journal Article

Affective blindsight relies on low spatial frequencies

Burra, Nicolas, Hervais-Adelman, Alexis, Celeghin, Alessia, de Gelder, Beatrice and Pegna, Alan J. (2017). Affective blindsight relies on low spatial frequencies. Neuropsychologia, 128, 44-49. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.10.009

Affective blindsight relies on low spatial frequencies

2017

Journal Article

Visual patterns of sexual desire. An original and exploratory study in eye-tracking

Bolmont, M., Pegna, A. and Bianchi-Demicheli, F. (2017). Visual patterns of sexual desire. An original and exploratory study in eye-tracking. Sexologies, 26 (4), E65-E70. doi: 10.1016/j.sexol.2017.07.001

Visual patterns of sexual desire. An original and exploratory study in eye-tracking

2017

Journal Article

Opposite ERP effects for conscious and unconscious semantic processing under continuous flash suppression

Yang, Yung-Hao, Zhou, Jifan, Li, Kuei-An, Hung, Tifan, Pegna, Alan J. and Yeh, Su-Ling (2017). Opposite ERP effects for conscious and unconscious semantic processing under continuous flash suppression. Consciousness and Cognition, 54 (2), 114-128. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2017.05.008

Opposite ERP effects for conscious and unconscious semantic processing under continuous flash suppression

2017

Journal Article

Visual stimuli modulate frontal oscillatory rhythms in a cortically blind patient: evidence for top-down visual processing

Tipura, Eda, Pegna, Alan J., de Gelder, Beatrice and Renaud, Olivier (2017). Visual stimuli modulate frontal oscillatory rhythms in a cortically blind patient: evidence for top-down visual processing. Clinical Neurophysiology, 128 (5), 770-779. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.02.009

Visual stimuli modulate frontal oscillatory rhythms in a cortically blind patient: evidence for top-down visual processing

2017

Journal Article

Electrophysiological evidence of perceived sexual attractiveness for human female bodies varying in waist-to-hip ratio

Del Zotto, Marzia and Pegna, Alan J. (2017). Electrophysiological evidence of perceived sexual attractiveness for human female bodies varying in waist-to-hip ratio. Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience, 17 (3), 1-15. doi: 10.3758/s13415-017-0498-8

Electrophysiological evidence of perceived sexual attractiveness for human female bodies varying in waist-to-hip ratio

2017

Journal Article

Naso-temporal asymmetries: suppression of emotional faces in the temporal visual hemifield

Framorando, David, Bapst, Mylene, Vuille, Nathalie and Pegna, Alan J. (2017). Naso-temporal asymmetries: suppression of emotional faces in the temporal visual hemifield. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 11 (JAN) 14. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00014

Naso-temporal asymmetries: suppression of emotional faces in the temporal visual hemifield

2016

Journal Article

Early differential sensitivity of evoked-potentials to local and global shape during the perception of three-dimensional objects

Leek, E. Charles, Roberts, Mark, Oliver, Zoe J., Cristino, Filipe and Pegna, Alan J. (2016). Early differential sensitivity of evoked-potentials to local and global shape during the perception of three-dimensional objects. Neuropsychologia, 89, 495-509. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.07.006

Early differential sensitivity of evoked-potentials to local and global shape during the perception of three-dimensional objects

2016

Conference Publication

Stereo disparity modulates evoked potentials associated with the perceptual classification of 3D object shape: a high-density ERP study

Leek, Charles, Roberts, Mark and Pegna, Alan (2016). Stereo disparity modulates evoked potentials associated with the perceptual classification of 3D object shape: a high-density ERP study. LONDON: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD.

Stereo disparity modulates evoked potentials associated with the perceptual classification of 3D object shape: a high-density ERP study

2016

Journal Article

Personality-related determinants of subtle cognitive decline in old age: a population-based study

Rodriquez, Cristelle, Albanese, Emiliano, Pegna, Alan, Toma, Simona, Ackermann, Marine, Tombeur, Eline, Herrmann, Francois R. and Giannakopoulos, Panteleimon (2016). Personality-related determinants of subtle cognitive decline in old age: a population-based study. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 6 (6), 120-132. doi: 10.1159/000441388

Personality-related determinants of subtle cognitive decline in old age: a population-based study

2016

Journal Article

Semantic relatedness and first-second language effects in the bilingual brain: a brain mapping study

Khateb, Asaid, Pegna, Alan J., Michel, Christoph M., Mouthon, Michael and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2016). Semantic relatedness and first-second language effects in the bilingual brain: a brain mapping study. Bilingualism, 19 (2), 311-330. doi: 10.1017/S1366728915000140

Semantic relatedness and first-second language effects in the bilingual brain: a brain mapping study

Past funding

  • 2016
    A brain physiology laboratory for neuropsychological research in the new Queensland Neuropsychology Research Centre
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Alan Pegna is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Role of the amygdala in rapid emotional face processing

    Evidence has shown that the amygdala is responsible for the rapid detection of threat and emotion, however hard evidence is lacking to confirm this idea. This project will examine the electrical brain response to emotional stimuli in healthy individuals as well as patients who have undergone surgical removal of their amygdala (amygdalectomies). The aim will be to establish whether the amydgala indeed contributes to the rapid processing of the visual stimuli.

  • Role of the amygdala in attentional capture of emotional stimuli

    Evidence has shown that the amygdala is responsible for the rapid detection of threat and emotion. One question that arises is whether this process is a prequisite for attention shifting. This project will investigate the electrical coorelate of attention-shifting in healthy individuals as well as patients who have undergone surgical removal of their amygdala (amygdalectomies). The project aims to determine if amydgala removal affects the automatic shift of attetion towards threatening stimuli..

  • Effects of personal space on face processing: an ERP and VR study

    It has been known for some time that different brain regions process stimuli according to whether they are situated in near (peripersonal) or far (extrapersonal) space. Furthermore, evidence has demonstrated the existence of a personal spatial boundary that, when crossed by another individual, creates a sense of discomfort. Using ERP in conjunction with Virtual Reality, this project will examine the brain response to neutral and emotionally expressive faces, as well as trustworthy and untrustworthy faces, situated within or beyond personal space.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Do Fearful Faces Attract Spatial Attention under Different Conditions of Visual Awareness?

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Stefanie Becker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Attraction vs suppression. Comparing EEG and eye-tracking to disentangle the mechanisms of attention.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Jess Taubert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Effects of oxytocin on the temporal dynamics of emotion processing

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Examining Stress, and Cognitive-Affective Processing in Emotion Disorders

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the Relationship Between Prediction and Attention in Response to Emotional Stimuli in the Human Brain

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Derek Arnold

  • Master Philosophy

    Exploring links between Human Eating Disorder pathology and the visual perception of foods.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr James Kesby

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of the amygdala in primate social intelligence.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Amanda Robinson, Professor Eric Vanman, Associate Professor Jess Taubert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The sensory make-up of virtual environments and its role in the effective transfer of learning to real-world tasks

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Guy Wallis, Associate Professor Stefanie Becker, Associate Professor Philip Grove

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the importance of VSTM in visual attention vs target identification

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Stefanie Becker

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Effectiveness of Memory Rehabilitation Techniques in Improving Memory Function in Patients with Epilepsy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Catherine Haslam

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Alan Pegna directly for media enquiries about:

  • awareness
  • blindsight
  • brain
  • brain damage
  • brain-behaviour relation
  • cognition
  • cognitive function
  • electrophysiology
  • emotion
  • epilepsy
  • face
  • face blindness
  • Neuropsychology
  • object recognition
  • prosopagnosia
  • space
  • stroke
  • vision
  • visual perception

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