I'm a social scientist with 8+ years of research experience. I use insights and methods from disciplines like biology, psychology, and anthropology to study the origins of individual differences in social behaviors and socio-political attitudes. I'm particularly interested in understanding causal factors that may lead to discrimination against women and LGBTQ+ individuals, but I also examine broader socio-political topics.
I recently completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Social Neuroendocrinology Lab at Nipissing University. In this role, I investigated whether changes in testosterone levels, in combination with relevant social cues, influence social behaviors like sexual aggression, dehumanization, and competition.
In 2020, I earned a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Social Psychology from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). I conducted online and in-person experiments to examine whether certain interpersonal social cues (e.g., popularity among potential romantic partners) and ecological cues (e.g., income inequality) can affect attitudes toward women’s sexuality, gender roles, LGBTQ+ rights, and wealth redistribution.
Earlier, I completed an M.A. in Climate and Society at Columbia University and a B.S. in Anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Born and raised in Rome, Italy, I moved to the United States at 18 years old to attend UCLA, and then moved to many other places across the world. I lived in Los Angeles (USA), New York City (USA), Sydney (Australia), and I'm currently located in Ontario, Canada. I cherish the fact that I was able to experience life in different countries with dynamic multicultural environments, which also grew my appreciation for diversity and inclusion.