I am currently the PI of the Digital Transformation for NeuroDiversity Inclusion in Africa and Asia (AAN-DI) project under the Erasmus+ CBHE project funded by . The project aims to to promote digital transformation to improve the skills, employability and self-reliance of neurodivergent persons using adapted digital tools which support their professional skills, mental health, wellbeing, and their neurodivergent needs.
AAN-DI project is a consortium of 6 universities and 12 Associated partner organizations with the following key objectives.
1) To raise the research and training capacity of a multidisciplinary group of higher education partner country staff.
2) To develop three certified staff training modules on i) Digital wellbeing and inclusion, ii) Transversal digital competencies for Neurodiversity, and iii) Sustainable digital transformation for Neurodiversity that will be available for open learning at programme country partner organizations
3) To improve internationalization of partner country staff and students through blended mobility.
4) To support neurodivergent persons, their professional skills, wellbeing and mental health, and self-reliance, and to strengthen their digital inclusion through the NeuroWiz Hub, Digital Ecosystem.
My research explores the intricate ways in which emotional processes intersect with brain development, genetic factors and environmental factors specifically related to digital technology use during childhood and adolescence. I investigate how digital environments—ranging from screen time to social media and online gaming—impact children's cognitive functions, emotional regulation, mental health, and overall development. My work focuses on understanding the genetic and neural underpinnings of cognitive abilities, emotional responses, and resilience in the context of digital exposure. By examining how genetic predispositions interact with environmental factors like digital media use, I seek to uncover how these influences shape brain development, emotional processing, and behavior across various stages of childhood.
I also study the effects of digital technology on children's mental health, including how excessive screen time, online interactions, and social media use contribute to challenges such as stress, anxiety, and socialization issues. In parallel, I explore how digital interventions—such as apps and online programs—can be designed to promote emotional well-being, cognitive growth, and resilience in young populations, while mitigating the negative effects of overexposure to digital content. Through interdisciplinary approaches combining cognitive neuroscience, genetics, psychology, and digital technology, my research aims to create evidence-based solutions that support healthy development in the digital age. My goal is to inform educational policies, clinical practices, and digital platform design, ensuring that technology serves as a positive influence on children’s cognitive, emotional, and social well-being.
