Piergiorgio Salvan
PhD
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Piergiorgio is a post-doctoral research assistant working with Prof Heidi Johansen-Berg.
His research focuses on the Fit-to-Study Brain imaging sub-study: a year-long physical activity intervention in children aimed to improve cognitive abilities of those from disadvantaged households. He is interested in combining machine-learning approaches with multi-modal and quantitative MRI, in order to study predictive factors and biological mechanisms underlying brain plasticity. His research will provide a better understanding of how this large-scale intervention, involving 18,000 12-years-old children around the areas of Oxford, London and Birmingham, can foster brain plasticity underlying healthy cognitive development.
Piergiorgio is also interested in structural control of the human brain, as a framework to predict the effect of neurostimulation and brain dynamic function. He obtained his PhD at King’s College London (Feb 2017) for his work on the ontogeny of the human language brain network.
Recent publications
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Developments in diffusion MRI and tractography to study language network alterations following very preterm birth
Journal article
Nosarti C. and Salvan P., (2018), F1000Research, 7
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Language ability in preterm children is associated with arcuate fasciculi microstructure at term.
Journal article
Salvan P. et al, (2017), Hum Brain Mapp, 38, 3836 - 3847
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Road work on memory lane--functional and structural alterations to the learning and memory circuit in adults born very preterm.
Journal article
Salvan P. et al, (2014), Neuroimage, 102 Pt 1, 152 - 161