Our Team

Behind the Scenes:

Meet Our Dedicated Team Driving Innovation in Addiction Prevention Research 

DIRECTORS

Prof. Ornella Corazza

Prof. Ornella Corazza, Ph.D., is a Full Professor at the University of Trento and the University of Hertfordshire, leading multidisciplinary teams researching clinical and psychopathological implications of drugs and behavioral addictions. With over 300 scientific publications, books, and media appearances, she focuses on lecturing, teaching, and has received numerous awards, including the 2013 European Health Award. She serves as President of ISSED, Editor-in-Chief of Elsevier's International Journal for Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health, and advises organizations like the UNODC and WADA on addiction policy. Her research aims to develop new strategies for addiction while promoting global cooperation for societal health and security. 

Prof. Oliver Rabin

Prof. Oliver Rabin is a Senior Director Science and Medicine at World Anti-Doping Agency. He has a demonstrated history of working in the sports industry. Strong research professional skilled in Biotechnology, Public Relations, Life Sciences, Science, and Research. Rabin graduated from the University of Paris with a doctorate in applied toxicology, which he followed with a degree in biomedical engineering. He then worked at the National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland, from 1993 to 1996, developing pharmaceutical strategies for brain neuroprotection. A move into the commercial sector with Beaufour-IPSEN, in Paris, came next, and in September 2002, Rabin took up his current position of science director at WADA. 

Prof. Gianluca Esposito

Prof. Gianluca Esposito, Ph.D. is a Full Professor at the University of Trento, where he is Head of the Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, directing multidisciplinary teams researching the mechanisms underlying Social Interaction across human development. With over 300 peer-reviewed publications, books, and book chapters, his work combines neuroimaging, electrophysiology, genetics, and behavioural approaches to study typical and atypical behaviours. He has received multiple recognitions from agencies across Europe, Singapore, Japan, the USA, and the UAE. Prof. Esposito serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Genetic Psychology and collaborates with global organizations to advance research, education, and policy initiatives that enhance social and cognitive well-being.  

RESEARCHERS

Dr Thomas Zandonai

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

University of Trento, Italy

Gabriele Penazzi

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Trento, Italy

Vittoria Barbati

PhD student, University of Trento, Italy

Sofia Venturini

BSc and MRes, University of Trento, Italy

    Dr Pierluigi Simonato

Dual Diagnosis Clinic, Parco dei Tigli, Italy

Dr Alessandro Carollo

University of Trento, Italy

Dr Ilaria De Luca

University of Hertfordshire, UK

Dr Elisabeth Prevete

Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Dr Francesco Di Carlo

University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy

EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS

INTERNSHIPS