I am a Researcher at the Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC) of the Italian National Research Council (CNR). I hold a PhD in Cognitive Sciences (University of Siena, 2006) and a Degree in Philosophy (University of Siena, 2001).
I study brain and behaviour through computer simulations.
In particular, I have been working on the evolution of communication and language, the role of language as a cognitive tool, the biological bases of motivations and emotions, the role of intrinsic motivations in cumulative learning, and the role of the concept of representation in (Embodied) Cognitive Science. I am also interested in the epistemology of simulations and in foundational issues of Cognitive Science.
You can find my papers and books in the Publications page.
Publications statistics can be found through my Google Scholar profile
