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

179 works between 1986 and 2025
All (179) Journal Article (149) Conference Publication (30)

121 - 140 of 179 works

2006

Journal Article

Automatic motor cortex activation for natural as compared to awkward grips of a manipulate object

Petit, Leila S., Pegna, Alan J., Harris, Irina M. and Michel, Christoph M. (2006). Automatic motor cortex activation for natural as compared to awkward grips of a manipulate object. Experimental Brain Research, 168 (1-2), 120-130. doi: 10.1007/s00221-005-0092-0

Automatic motor cortex activation for natural as compared to awkward grips of a manipulate object

2005

Journal Article

Cerebral processes in mental transformations of body parts: Recognition prior to rotation

Overney , LS, Michel, CM, Harris, IM and Pegna, AJ (2005). Cerebral processes in mental transformations of body parts: Recognition prior to rotation. Cognitive Brain Research, 25 (3), 722-734. doi: 10.1016/j.cogbrainres.2005.09.024

Cerebral processes in mental transformations of body parts: Recognition prior to rotation

2005

Conference Publication

Anatomical limitations and cerebral processes in mental transformations of body parts

Petit, LS, Harris, IM and Pegna, AJ (2005). Anatomical limitations and cerebral processes in mental transformations of body parts. SAN DIEGO: ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE.

Anatomical limitations and cerebral processes in mental transformations of body parts

2005

Conference Publication

Angry faces are easier to identify than happy faces

Raymond, JE, Gomez-Cuerva, J, Jackson, M and Pegna, A (2005). Angry faces are easier to identify than happy faces. LONDON: PION LTD.

Angry faces are easier to identify than happy faces

2005

Journal Article

Discriminating emotional faces without primary visual cortices involves the right amygdala

Pegna, Alan J., Khateb, Asaid, Lazeyras, Francois and Seghier, Mohamed L. (2005). Discriminating emotional faces without primary visual cortices involves the right amygdala. Nature Neuroscience, 8 (1), 24-25. doi: 10.1038/nn1364

Discriminating emotional faces without primary visual cortices involves the right amygdala

2004

Journal Article

Variability of fMRI activation during a phonological and semantic language task in healthy subjects

Seghier, ML, Lazeyras, F, Pegna, AJ, Annoni, JM, Zimine, , Mayer, E, Michel, CM and Khateb, A (2004). Variability of fMRI activation during a phonological and semantic language task in healthy subjects. Human Brain Mapping, 23 (3), 140-155. doi: 10.1002/hbm.20053

Variability of fMRI activation during a phonological and semantic language task in healthy subjects

2004

Journal Article

Visual recognition of faces, objects, and words using degraded stimuli: Where and when it occurs

Pegna, AJ, Khateb, A, Michel, CM and Landis, T (2004). Visual recognition of faces, objects, and words using degraded stimuli: Where and when it occurs. Human Brain Mapping, 22 (4), 300-311. doi: 10.1002/hbm.20039

Visual recognition of faces, objects, and words using degraded stimuli: Where and when it occurs

2004

Journal Article

Transient crossed aphasia evidenced by functional brain imagery

Khateb, A, Martory, MD, Annoni, JM, Lazeyras, F, de Tribolet, N, Pegna, AJ, Mayer, E, Michel, CM and Seghier, ML (2004). Transient crossed aphasia evidenced by functional brain imagery. Neuroreport, 15 (5), 785-790. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200404090-00009

Transient crossed aphasia evidenced by functional brain imagery

2003

Journal Article

Pure global acalculia following a left subangular lesion

Martory, MD, Mayer, E, Pegna, AJ, Annoni, JM, Landis, T and Khateb, A (2003). Pure global acalculia following a left subangular lesion. Neurocase, 9 (4), 319-328. doi: 10.1076/neur.9.4.319.15549

Pure global acalculia following a left subangular lesion

2003

Journal Article

Processing of semantic categorical and associative relations: an ERP mapping study

Khateb, A, Michel, CM, Pegna, AJ, O'Dochartaigh, SD, Landis, T and Annoni, JM (2003). Processing of semantic categorical and associative relations: an ERP mapping study. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 49 (1), 41-55. doi: 10.1016/S0167-8760(03)00076-X

Processing of semantic categorical and associative relations: an ERP mapping study

2003

Journal Article

Pure imagery hemi-neglect of far space

Ortigue, S, Viaud-Delmon, , Michel, CM, Blanke, O, Annoni, JM, Pegna, A, Mayer, E, Spinelli, L and Landis, T (2003). Pure imagery hemi-neglect of far space. Neurology, 60 (12), 2000-2002. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000068028.63291.B6

Pure imagery hemi-neglect of far space

2003

Journal Article

Representation of anatomical constraints in motor imagery: Mental rotation of a body segment

Petit, L.S., Pegna, A.J., Mayer, E. and Hauert, C.-A. (2003). Representation of anatomical constraints in motor imagery: Mental rotation of a body segment. Brain and Cognition, 51 (1), 95-101. doi: 10.1016/s0278-2626(02)00526-2

Representation of anatomical constraints in motor imagery: Mental rotation of a body segment

2003

Journal Article

Neuropsychological test in daily practice L'examen neuropsychologique en pratique quotidienne

Annoni, Jean-Marie, Pertusio, Françoise Bernasconi, Caldara, Anne-Sarah, Khateb, Asaid, Lubini, Deborah, Martory, Marie-Dominique, Mayer, Eugène, Ortigue, Stéphanie, Pegna, Alan J and Valenza, Nathalie (2003). Neuropsychological test in daily practice L'examen neuropsychologique en pratique quotidienne. Revue médicale de la Suisse romande, 123 (4), 263-267.

Neuropsychological test in daily practice L'examen neuropsychologique en pratique quotidienne

2002

Conference Publication

Semantic processing of categorical and associative relationships: A brain mapping study

Khateb, A, Annoni, JM, Pegna, AJ, O'Dochartaigh, SD, Landis, T and Michel, CM (2002). Semantic processing of categorical and associative relationships: A brain mapping study. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV.

Semantic processing of categorical and associative relationships: A brain mapping study

2002

Journal Article

Visuospatial processing and right hemisphere specialisation Fonctions visuospatiales et spécialisation hémisphérique droite

Pegna, Alan J. and Landis, Theodor (2002). Visuospatial processing and right hemisphere specialisation Fonctions visuospatiales et spécialisation hémisphérique droite. Revue de Neuropsychologie, 12 (2), 213-240.

Visuospatial processing and right hemisphere specialisation Fonctions visuospatiales et spécialisation hémisphérique droite

2002

Journal Article

Visuospatial processing and right hemisphere specialisation

Pegna, AJ and Landis, T (2002). Visuospatial processing and right hemisphere specialisation. Revue De Neuropsychologie, 12 (2), 213-240.

Visuospatial processing and right hemisphere specialisation

2002

Journal Article

Neural processing of illusory and real contours revealed by high-density ERP mapping

Pegna, AJ, Khateb, A, Murray, MM, Landis, T and Michel, CM (2002). Neural processing of illusory and real contours revealed by high-density ERP mapping. Neuroreport, 13 (7), 965-968. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200205240-00013

Neural processing of illusory and real contours revealed by high-density ERP mapping

2002

Journal Article

Dynamics of brain activation during an explicit word and image recognition task: an electrophysiological study

Khateb, Asaid, Pegna, Alan J., Michel, Christoph M., Landis, Theodor and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2002). Dynamics of brain activation during an explicit word and image recognition task: an electrophysiological study. Brain Topography, 14 (3), 197-213. doi: 10.1023/A:1014502925003

Dynamics of brain activation during an explicit word and image recognition task: an electrophysiological study

2002

Journal Article

Is the right amygdala involved in visuospatial memory? Evidence from MRI volumetric measures

Pegna, AJ, Caldara-Schnetzer, AS, Perrig, SH, Lazeyras, F, Khateb, A, Landis, T and Seeck, M (2002). Is the right amygdala involved in visuospatial memory? Evidence from MRI volumetric measures. European Neurology, 47 (3), 148-155. doi: 10.1159/000047973

Is the right amygdala involved in visuospatial memory? Evidence from MRI volumetric measures

2002

Journal Article

Is the right amygdala involved in visuospatial memory? Evidence from MRI volumetric measures (vol 47, pg 148, 2002)

Pegna, AJ, Caldara-Schnetzer, AS, Perrig, SH, Lazeyras, F, Khateb, A, Mayer, E, Landis, T and Seeck, M (2002). Is the right amygdala involved in visuospatial memory? Evidence from MRI volumetric measures (vol 47, pg 148, 2002). European Neurology, 47 (4), 243-243.

Is the right amygdala involved in visuospatial memory? Evidence from MRI volumetric measures (vol 47, pg 148, 2002)

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

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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