Dr. Antonella Tramacere

I do integrative philosophy of cognition and biology. I analyse the development of neural circuits, such as for example the Mirror neuron system, in different animal species (mostly monkeys, songbirds and humans). I address the role of brain mechanisms in higher-order mental traits, like empathy, imitation, language and self-awareness. I apply an epigenetic perspective aiming at identifying, and eventually integrating the role of biological and non-biological factors in the development and plasticity of the mind.

My goal is to develop concepts and clarifications of the bidirectional relationship between culture and biology, gene and learning, in human cognition, which can contribute to open new research and experimental questions.