Anna Blasi Email and Phone Number

I have a 15 year+ expertise in designing and realizing functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) experimental set ups for infant studies, and in implementing and running novel methods for the analysis of fNIRS data. In collaboration with neuroscientists and psychologists, I have been investigating infant human neurocognitive development using these infant-friendly imaging techniques. Together with physicists and engineers from University College London in the UK, we have had the opportunity to exploit the extraordinary advantages fNIRS offers for studies involving infants such as the possibility of preserving the natural behavioural environment with few restrictions to movement and posture. Our goal has been developing methods that aim to minimise limitations of the technique such as the difficulties of mapping the spatial location of brain activation, and the need to use ad-hoc pre-processing algorithms to process motion artefacts that heavily affect infant data. This has led me to work with a broad spectrum of clinical and life science professionals in research projects and contribute with my technical knowledge from my engineering background. Conducting research in multi-centre projects at multiple locations has made me aware of the need of clear, fluid and frequent communication between members of teams scattered across the globe.