![Associate Professor Alan Pegna](/sites/default/files/profiles/12924.jpeg)
Overview
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
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Geneva
Works
Search Professor Alan Pegna’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Journal Article
Audiovisual association learning in absence of primary visual cortex
Seirafi, Mehrdad, De Weerd, Peter, Pegna, Alan J. and De Gelder, Beatrice (2016). Audiovisual association learning in absence of primary visual cortex. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9 (JAN2016) 686. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00686
2015
Journal Article
Assessment of social cognition and theory of mind: initial validation of the geneva social cognition scale
Martory, Marie-Dominique, Pegna, Alan John, Sheybani, Laurent, Metral, Melanie, Pertusio, Francoise Bernasconi and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2015). Assessment of social cognition and theory of mind: initial validation of the geneva social cognition scale. European Neurology, 74 (5-6), 288-295. doi: 10.1159/000442412
2015
Journal Article
The effects of stereo disparity on the behavioural and electrophysiological correlates of perception of audio-visual motion in depth
Harrison, Neil R., Witheridge, Sian, Makin, Alexis, Wuerger, Sophie M., Pegna, Alan J. and Meyer, Georg F. (2015). The effects of stereo disparity on the behavioural and electrophysiological correlates of perception of audio-visual motion in depth. Neuropsychologia, 78, 51-62. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.09.023
2015
Journal Article
Visual imagery influences brain responses to visual stimulation in bilateral cortical blindness
de Gelder, Beatrice, Tamietto, Marco, Pegna, Alan J. and Van den Stock, Jan (2015). Visual imagery influences brain responses to visual stimulation in bilateral cortical blindness. Cortex, 72, 15-26. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2014.11.009
2015
Journal Article
Looming sensitive cortical regions without V1 input: Evidence from a patient with bilateral cortical blindness
Hervais-Adelman, Alexis, Legrand, Lore B., Zhan, Minye, Tamietto, Marco, de Gelder, Beatrice and Pegna, Alan J. (2015). Looming sensitive cortical regions without V1 input: Evidence from a patient with bilateral cortical blindness. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 9 (51) A051, 1-12. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2015.00051
2015
Journal Article
Direction of biological motion affects early brain activation: a link with social cognition
Pegna, Alan John, Gehring, Elise, Meyer, Georg and Del Zotto, Marzia (2015). Direction of biological motion affects early brain activation: a link with social cognition. PLoS One, 10 (6) e0131551, e0131551. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131551
2015
Journal Article
Body shape recognition in a patient with bilateral primary visual cortex lesions
Van den Stock, J., Tamietto, M., Hervais-Adelman, A., Pegna, A. J. and de Gelder, B. (2015). Body shape recognition in a patient with bilateral primary visual cortex lesions. Biological Psychiatry, 77 (7) 11921, e31-e33. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.06.023
2015
Journal Article
Processing of masked and unmasked emotional faces under different attentional conditions: an electrophysiological investigation
Del Zotto, Marzia and Pegna, Alan J. (2015). Processing of masked and unmasked emotional faces under different attentional conditions: an electrophysiological investigation. Frontiers in Psychology, 6 (OCT) 1691, 1691.1-1691.12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01691
2014
Journal Article
Lack of automatic attentional orienting by gaze cues following a bilateral loss of visual cortex
Burra, Nicolas, Kerzel, Dirk, de Gelder, Beatrice and Pegna, Alan J. (2014). Lack of automatic attentional orienting by gaze cues following a bilateral loss of visual cortex. Neuropsychologia, 58 (1), 75-80. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.04.003
2014
Journal Article
Neural correlates of body and face perception following bilateral destruction of the primary visual cortices
Van den Stock, Jan, Tamietto, Marco, Zhan, Minye, Heinecke, Armin, Hervais-Adelman, Alexis, Legrand, Lore B., Pegna, Alan J. and de Gelder, Beatrice (2014). Neural correlates of body and face perception following bilateral destruction of the primary visual cortices. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 8 (FEB) 30. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00030
2014
Conference Publication
ALTHOUGH WOMEN COME FROM VENUS AND MEN FROM MARS, BOTH DESIRE IN THE SAME DIRECTION: AN ORIGINAL AND EXPLORATORY EYETRACKING STUDY
Bolmont, M., Bianchi-Demicheli, F. and Pegna, A. (2014). ALTHOUGH WOMEN COME FROM VENUS AND MEN FROM MARS, BOTH DESIRE IN THE SAME DIRECTION: AN ORIGINAL AND EXPLORATORY EYETRACKING STUDY. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2014
Conference Publication
Semantic processing of invisible words under interocular suppression: Evidence from evoked-related potentials
Yeh, Su-Ling, Zhou, Jifan, Li, Kuei-An, Tien, Yung-Hsuan, Chen, Yi-Huan, Lin, Yih-Shiuan and Pegna, Alan (2014). Semantic processing of invisible words under interocular suppression: Evidence from evoked-related potentials. LONDON: PION LTD.
2013
Journal Article
Emotional expressions modulate low α and β oscillations in a cortically blind patient
Del Zotto, Marzia, Deiber, Marie-Pierre, Legrand, Lore Billie, De Gelder, Beatrice and Pegna, Alan John (2013). Emotional expressions modulate low α and β oscillations in a cortically blind patient. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 90 (3), 358-362. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.10.007
2013
Journal Article
Basic Instinct Undressed: Early Spatiotemporal Processing for Primary Sexual Characteristics
Legrand, Lore B., Del Zotto, Marzia, Tyrand, Remi and Pegna, Alan J. (2013). Basic Instinct Undressed: Early Spatiotemporal Processing for Primary Sexual Characteristics. Plos One, 8 (7) e69726, e69726. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069726
2013
Journal Article
Amygdala activation for eye contact despite complete cortical blindness
Burra, Nicolas, Hervais-Adelman, Alexis, Kerzel, Dirk, Tamietto, Marco, de Gelder, Beatrice and Pegna, Alan J. (2013). Amygdala activation for eye contact despite complete cortical blindness. Journal of Neuroscience, 33 (25), 10483-10489. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3994-12.2013
2013
Journal Article
Dissociation between goal-directed and discrete response localization in a patient with bilateral cortical blindness
Buetti, Simona, Tamietto, Marco, Hervais-Adelman, Alexis, Kerzel, Dirk, de Gelder, Beatrice and Pegna, Alan J. (2013). Dissociation between goal-directed and discrete response localization in a patient with bilateral cortical blindness. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 25 (10), 1769-1775. doi: 10.1162/jocn_a_00404
2012
Journal Article
Neuropsychological outcome after extra-temporal epilepsy surgery
El Hassani, Yassine, Fournet, Maryll, Momjian, Shahan, Pollo, Claudio, Seeck, Margitta, Pegna, Alan and Schaller, Karl (2012). Neuropsychological outcome after extra-temporal epilepsy surgery. Acta Neurochirurgica, 154 (8), 1337-1342. doi: 10.1007/s00701-012-1379-0
2012
Journal Article
Attentional modulation of early ERP components in response to faces: Evidence from the attentional blink paradigm
Darque, Alexandra, Del Zotto, Marzia, Khateb, Asaid and Pegna, Alan J. (2012). Attentional modulation of early ERP components in response to faces: Evidence from the attentional blink paradigm. Brain Topography, 25 (2), 167-181. doi: 10.1007/s10548-011-0199-5
2012
Conference Publication
Amygdala response for faces in a patient with cortical blindness
Pegna, A., Hervais-Adelman, A., Lore, L., Del Zotto, M. and de Gelder, B. (2012). Amygdala response for faces in a patient with cortical blindness. LONDON: PION LTD.
2012
Journal Article
Can post-ictal memory predict post-operative memory in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy?
Vuilliemoz, S., Prilipko, O., Herrmann, F. R., Pollo, C., Landis, T., Pegna, A. J. and Seeck, M. (2012). Can post-ictal memory predict post-operative memory in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy?. Epilepsia, 53 (10), e170-e173. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03535.x
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Alan Pegna is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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.
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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..
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Effects of oxytocin on the temporal dynamics of emotion processing
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Examining Stress, and Cognitive-Affective Processing in Emotion Disorders
Principal Advisor
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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
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Master Philosophy
Exploring links between Human Eating Disorder pathology and the visual perception of foods.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Kesby
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Doctor Philosophy
Do Fearful Faces Attract Spatial Attention under Different Conditions of Visual Awareness?
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stefanie Becker
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Doctor Philosophy
Attraction vs suppression. Comparing EEG and eye-tracking to disentangle the mechanisms of attention.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jess Taubert
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the importance of VSTM in visual attention vs target identification
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stefanie Becker
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Doctor Philosophy
Effectiveness of Memory Rehabilitation Techniques in Improving Memory Function in Patients with Epilepsy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Haslam
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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
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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
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Role of the Amygdala in the Early Processing of Emotional Faces and Threat Related Stimuli
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jess Taubert
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Rapid Visual Processing of Looming Emotional Faces
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ada Kritikos
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Influence of Agency on Space Representation and Social Threat
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ada Kritikos
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Preterm Birth and its Impact on the Maturation of Executive Function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sailesh Kumar, Dr Samudragupta Bora
Media
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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