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)

141 - 160 of 179 works

2001

Journal Article

So near yet so far: Neglect in far or near space depends on tool use

Pegna, AJ, Petit, L, Caldara-Schnetzer, AS, Khateb, A, Annoni, JM, Sztajzel, R and Landis, T (2001). So near yet so far: Neglect in far or near space depends on tool use. Annals of Neurology, 50 (6), 820-822. doi: 10.1002/ana.10058

So near yet so far: Neglect in far or near space depends on tool use

2001

Journal Article

Electric source imaging of human brain functions

Michel, Christoph M, Thut, Gregor, Morand, Stéphanie, Khateb, Asaid, Pegna, Alan J, Grave de Peralta, Rolando, Gonzalez, Sara, Seeck, Margitta and Landis, Theodor (2001). Electric source imaging of human brain functions. Brain Research Reviews, 36 (2-3), 108-118. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0173(01)00086-8

Electric source imaging of human brain functions

2001

Conference Publication

Dynamics of brain activation during a word and image recognition task: An electrophysiological study

Khateb, A, Michel, CM, Pegna, AJ, Landis, T and Annoni, JM (2001). Dynamics of brain activation during a word and image recognition task: An electrophysiological study. SAN DIEGO: ACADEMIC PRESS INC.

Dynamics of brain activation during a word and image recognition task: An electrophysiological study

2001

Conference Publication

fMRI on patients with lesions involving language areas: Implications for neurosurgery

Seghier, ML, Lazeyras, F, Pegna, AJ, Zimine, , Delavelle, J, Mayer, E, Annoni, JM and Khateb, A (2001). fMRI on patients with lesions involving language areas: Implications for neurosurgery. SAN DIEGO: ACADEMIC PRESS INC.

fMRI on patients with lesions involving language areas: Implications for neurosurgery

2001

Journal Article

Dynamics of brain activation during a word and image recognition task: An electrophysiological study

Khateb, Asaid, Michel, Christoph M., Pegna, Alan J., Landis, Theodor and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2001). Dynamics of brain activation during a word and image recognition task: An electrophysiological study. NeuroImage, 13 (6), 550. doi: 10.1016/s1053-8119(01)91893-2

Dynamics of brain activation during a word and image recognition task: An electrophysiological study

2001

Conference Publication

Time course of visual processing for real and illusory contours as determined by event-related potential analysis

Pegna, AJ, Khateb, A, Caldara-Schnetzer, AS, Landis, T and Michel, CM (2001). Time course of visual processing for real and illusory contours as determined by event-related potential analysis. SAN DIEGO: ACADEMIC PRESS INC.

Time course of visual processing for real and illusory contours as determined by event-related potential analysis

2001

Journal Article

Time course of visual processing for real and illusory contours as determined by event-related potential analysis

Pegna, Alan J., Khateb, Asaid, Caldara-Schnetzer, Anne-Sarah, Landis, Theodor and Michel, Christoph M. (2001). Time course of visual processing for real and illusory contours as determined by event-related potential analysis. NeuroImage, 13 (6), 926. doi: 10.1016/s1053-8119(01)92268-2

Time course of visual processing for real and illusory contours as determined by event-related potential analysis

2001

Journal Article

fMRI on patients with lesions involving language areas: implications for neurosurgery

Seghier, Mohamed L., Lazeyras, Francois, Pegna, Alan J., Zimine, Ivan, Dela Velle, Jacqueline, Mayer, Eugene, Annoni, Jean-Marie and Khateb, Asaid (2001). fMRI on patients with lesions involving language areas: implications for neurosurgery. NeuroImage, 13 (6), 836. doi: 10.1016/s1053-8119(01)92178-0

fMRI on patients with lesions involving language areas: implications for neurosurgery

2001

Conference Publication

Analysis of brain activity during processing of categorical and associative semantic relations

Annoni, JM, Khateb, A, Pegna, AJ, O'Dochartaigh, S, Landis, T and Michel, CM (2001). Analysis of brain activity during processing of categorical and associative semantic relations. LONDON: BRITISH MED JOURNAL PUBL GROUP.

Analysis of brain activity during processing of categorical and associative semantic relations

2001

Journal Article

The time course of semantic category processing in the cerebral hemispheres: an electrophysiological study

Khateb, Asaid, Michel, Christoph M, Pegna, Alan J, Thut, Gregor, Landis, Theodor and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2001). The time course of semantic category processing in the cerebral hemispheres: an electrophysiological study. Cognitive Brain Research, 10 (3), 251-264. doi: 10.1016/s0926-6410(00)00042-2

The time course of semantic category processing in the cerebral hemispheres: an electrophysiological study

2000

Journal Article

Interhemispheric transfer evaluation in multiple sclerosis

Ortiz, N, Reicherts, M, Pegna, AJ, Garran, E, Chofflon, M, Roth, S, Annoni, JM, Landis, T and Mayer, E (2000). Interhemispheric transfer evaluation in multiple sclerosis. Swiss Journal of Psychology, 59 (3), 150-158. doi: 10.1024//1421-0185.59.3.150

Interhemispheric transfer evaluation in multiple sclerosis

2000

Journal Article

New insights into the Stroop effect: a spatiotemporal analysis of electric brain activity

Khateb, A, Michel, CM, Pegna, AJ, Landis, T and Annoni, JM (2000). New insights into the Stroop effect: a spatiotemporal analysis of electric brain activity. Neuroreport, 11 (9), 1849-1855. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200006260-00010

New insights into the Stroop effect: a spatiotemporal analysis of electric brain activity

2000

Journal Article

New insights into the stroop effect: Spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity

Khateb, Asaid, Michel, Christoph M., Pegna, Alan J., Landis, Theodor and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2000). New insights into the stroop effect: Spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity. NeuroImage, 11 (5), S71. doi: 10.1016/s1053-8119(00)91005-x

New insights into the stroop effect: Spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity

2000

Journal Article

Semantic Category and Rhyming Processing in the Left and Right Cerebral Hemisphere

Khateb, Asaid, Pegna, Alan J., Michel, Christoph M., Custodi, Marie-Carmen, Landis, Theodor and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2000). Semantic Category and Rhyming Processing in the Left and Right Cerebral Hemisphere. Laterality, 5 (1), 35-53. doi: 10.1080/135765000396825

Semantic Category and Rhyming Processing in the Left and Right Cerebral Hemisphere

2000

Journal Article

Semantic category and rhyming processing in the left and right cerebral hemisphere

Khateb, A, Pegna, AJ, Michel, CM, Custodi, MC, Landis, T and Annoni, JM (2000). Semantic category and rhyming processing in the left and right cerebral hemisphere. Laterality, 5 (1), 35-53. doi: 10.1080/713754355

Semantic category and rhyming processing in the left and right cerebral hemisphere

2000

Conference Publication

Subjective contours of the kanisza type induce perceptual errors in variations of the Ponzo and Poggendorf illusions

Caklara, AS, Pegna, AJ, Annoni, JM and Landis, T (2000). Subjective contours of the kanisza type induce perceptual errors in variations of the Ponzo and Poggendorf illusions. OXFORD: BLACKWELL SCIENCE LTD.

Subjective contours of the kanisza type induce perceptual errors in variations of the Ponzo and Poggendorf illusions

1999

Journal Article

A pure case of Gerstmann syndrome with a subangular lesion

Mayer, E, Martory, MD, Pegna, AJ, Landis, T, Delavelle, J and Annoni, JM (1999). A pure case of Gerstmann syndrome with a subangular lesion. Brain, 122, 1107-1120. doi: 10.1093/brain/122.6.1107

A pure case of Gerstmann syndrome with a subangular lesion

1999

Journal Article

Spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity during semantic and phonological word processing

Khateb, Asaid, Annoni, Jean-Marie, Landis, Theodor, Pegna, Alan J., Custodi, Marie-Carmen, Fonteneau, Elisabeth, Morand, Stéphanie M. and Michel, Christoph M. (1999). Spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity during semantic and phonological word processing. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 32 (3), 215-231. doi: 10.1016/s0167-8760(99)00017-3

Spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity during semantic and phonological word processing

1999

Journal Article

Semantically-triggered reading epilepsy: An experimental case study

Pegna, AJ, Picard, F, Martory, MD, Vuilleumier, P, Seeck, M, Jallon, P and Landis, T (1999). Semantically-triggered reading epilepsy: An experimental case study. Cortex, 35 (1), 101-111. doi: 10.1016/S0010-9452(08)70788-3

Semantically-triggered reading epilepsy: An experimental case study

1999

Journal Article

Increased focal interictal discharges during specific cognitive tasks

Blanke, Olaf, Pegna, Alan, Marcoz, Jean-Pierre, Landis, Theodor and Seeck, Margitta (1999). Increased focal interictal discharges during specific cognitive tasks. Neurocase, 5 (1), 13-19. doi: 10.1080/13554799908404060

Increased focal interictal discharges during specific cognitive tasks

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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