I am Enrico Rubaltelli, and I founded the JDM LAB because I think that it is important to give younger students an opportunity to experience how we do research in the field of judgment and decision-making. I am the PI of the lab and my research interests focus on how emotions impact decision making, risk perception, prosocial behavior, and sustainability. One quote I really like is this “I discovered running many years ago and got passionate about it.Running has thought me to focus on what I am doing and that there are no bad runs, they are all like little building blocks that contribute to improve and get better.And nothing is better than running in the rain!

Associate Professor

Lab Head

I am Lorella Lotto, full professor at the Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization (University of Padua). My research interests are related to the perception and communication of risk and the cognitive and emotional mechanisms involved in the processes of judgement and decision making. The world of psychology has always fascinated me and one of the most interesting aspects in the field of decision psychology is the study of the factors that influence our choices. The more we like to think of ourselves as coherent and rational people, the more we will be amazed to see how our judgments and decisions are actually influenced by unconscious factors, small variations in the context of which we are not even aware, but which are able to modify our judgments and our behaviours. Knowledge of these mechanisms can be a valuable tool to help people choose the best for themselves and for the community. I love art, interior and design objects, in particular Scandinavian design, essential and elegant, which refers to the balance between man and nature.

Full Professor

Senior Member

I am Marta Caserotti, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization and I have been part of the JDM LAB for as long as I can remember, I am indeed a senior member. The lab has provided a rich environment for growth, experimentation, and new challenges, allowing me to constantly push beyond my comfort zone. 

My research focuses primarily on scarcity—how people perceive limited resources such as time, money, social connections, or even vaccines—and its impact on decision-making. I also explore prosocial and altruistic behaviors, as well as decision-making in medical and sports contexts.

Outside of research, I am passionate about sports, traveling, and exploring new cultures, particularly through culinary experiences! My philosophy? Focus on the essentials, trust your instincts, and seek simplicity. 

Assistant professor

Senior and Board Member

My name is Libera but my friends call me Lib. I graduated from the University of Padua in Community Psychology. I am currently a Postdoc at the Department of Developmental and Social Psychology at the University of Padova. I entered the JDMLab in September 2020. Joining the JDM Lab has been a great source of inspiration for me from the very beginning. It was a safe space where I could explore my potential as a researcher, and I realized that I absolutely love this work! Currently, I’m collaborating in several studies related to prosociality and scarcity. Studying prosocial behaviors in the laboratory inspired me to ask several questions about the role of prosociality in human behavior. For example, does our economic condition (real or perceived) influence our willingness to donate? Answering this question could have a significant impact on society! I love traveling, and my dream is to visit all seven wonders of the world, so far, I've seen three of them! “Sense of human required” is the quote that guides my life.

Post doc

Senior and Board Member

My name is Maria Stocco and I am a PhD student in Psychological Sciences at the University of Padova, and I am also one of the Lab Managers. My main research interests concern risk perception, wellbeing and economic decisions but since I’m a very curious person, I’m easily enthralled by completely different research aims.The best thing that the JDMLab has given to me from the very beginning, and that gives me every day, is a highly stimulating environment in which I can actively engage in “doing research” and grow daily thanks to the collaborative and “easy” atmosphere that, in my opinion, characterizes this lab. I have a violin diploma at the Conservatorio C. Pollini of Padova too, and you might happen to see me playing with my string quartet somewhere in Padua. Besides music, my great passions are the mountains, climbing and knitting.  I always take in mind the phrase κτῆμα ἐς αἰεί (“possession forever”; Thucydides) meaning that History repeats cyclically and if we keep it in mind it will be a teaching forever, to never make the same mistakes again.

Ph.D. student

Senior and Board Member, Lab Manager

My name is Beatrice Conte, I am a lab manager at JDM LAB and in February 2024 I won a pre-doctoral research grant within the PNRR project. I have been an active member of the JDM LAB since 2021 when, as a master's student, I wanted to understand what cognitive psychologists could do ‘in practice’, I tried to find a connection between academia and the outside world. My goal is to use behavioral economics techniques to find a solution to current problems. Precisely for this reason, the research group I refer to is the ‘Nudge Group’, a hybrid group between classical research and application in the outside world, where we deal with concrete projects with direct applications. My research interests lie in using field research techniques (e.g. nudges) in sustainability, climate change, and pro-social behavior. Given my interest in the more applied aspect of research, for the past year or so, together with other colleagues, we have been able to realize our desire to reach out to the outside world through targeted consulting activities to solve clients' needs, using the approach of the scientific method and the knowledge of behavioral psychology. I enjoy working at JDM LAB because it is a stimulating environment. Thanks to the presence of colleagues with different scientific and cultural backgrounds, freedom of choice and personal growth are maximized. My favorite quote is ‘Stay hungry, stay foolish’ because curiosity, the desire to discover and know, is the engine that drives me to try to change even hopeless situations.

Research Assistant

Senior and Board Member, Lab Manager

My name is Alessandra Carella. I completed a Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Psychology and Psychobiology in Padua and a Master's in Applied Cognitive Psychology. I enthusiastically joined the lab in February 2022, eager to experience firsthand what conducting research truly means, and I was delighted to find such a collaborative and warm environment there. I’ve always been interested in understanding what drives people toward pro-environmental behavior, and I began exploring this topic by writing my Bachelor's dissertation on the role of message framing in green neuromarketing, followed by my Master's dissertation, which investigated how knowing what others do in a situation can influence our own decisions. I am currently pursuing a PhD project focused on the psychological predictors of pro-environmental behaviors, particularly in the fast fashion industry. Additionally, I am fascinated by people’s perceptions and attitudes toward AI and am studying this topic in parallel. Outside of research, I have a deep passion for theater, both as an audience member and as a performer. A quote that often inspires me in life is: "All with fun, nothing for fun" (Baden-Powell).

Ph.D. student

Senior and Board Member, Buddy

My name is Lorenzo Gagliardi, and I am a post-doc at the DPSS (University of Padua). I conduct research on anomalistic beliefs, which are belief systems that defy conventional understanding of the world (e.g., conspiracy theories, pseudoscience). During my academic journey, I studied economics and marketing, deepening my knowledge of decision theory and consumer behavior, and then obtained a PhD in Methods and Models for Economic Decisions in 2024 (University of Insubria). My dissertation investigated the role of cognitive biases in conspiracy beliefs through experimental paradigms. Currently, I do research on fake news, specifically concentrating on the perception of news accuracy, but I also work on the role of naturalness perception in medical decision-making and on the empirical research methodologies of anomalistic psychology. I am currently a member of the Managing Committee of the International Association for Research in Economic Psychology (IAREP) and I am also passionate about science communication: I manage the project "Non è la Zebra" (@nonelazebra on Instagram), which explores behavioral sciences and decision-making processes both online and in live events! I am happy to be part of the JDM Lab because it is a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment where it is easy to express, cultivate, and share scientific interests without the crazy pressures of the academic world! Besides that, I love reading, collecting records, and playing music—deep down, I don't think I've ever grown out of my emo phase. A quote I like? This line from Baustelle: “I wear the world, I imitate it as a portable form of truth, to survive, I act mimetically within it".

Post doc

Junior Member

My name is Maria but almost everyone calls me ‘Mery’. I am currently a Research Fellow at the Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation at the University of Padua and since April 2024 a member of the JDM Lab. In July 2023, I graduated in “Applied Cognitive Psychology” and, during the “Psychology of Decisions” lab, I discovered the beauty of the ‘nudge’, which then became the central theme of my thesis. I love the idea that small changes in the environment can positively influence people's behaviour by guiding them towards better decisions for their well-being while maintaining freedom of choice. Not surprisingly, my motto is “small actions today for big changes tomorrow”. I am constantly passionate about new activities and my friends say I watch too many tutorials. I love design, stationery, and pasta with pesto. 

Fellowship

Junior Member

My name is Vincenzo Lorenzo Neri, but to keep it simple, everyone calls me Vince. I graduated in Applied Cognitive Psychology from the University of Padua in 2023, and since February 2024, I've had the privilege of being part of the Jdm Lab. Currently, I am a research fellow, focusing on financial scarcity through a project that explores the psychology of debt management. From my early days as a psychology student, I developed a passion for this field, particularly for its multidisciplinary nature and the way it integrates knowledge from various domains. I strongly believe that psychology plays a fundamental role in every process and action involving human beings. I’m especially passionate about understanding how people make decisions in their daily lives, with a particular focus on economic and sustainable contexts. In addition to my professional interests, I’m a huge sports enthusiast, with a special love for soccer, tennis, and Formula 1. My ultimate dream is to combine my work in decision-making processes with the world of sports. As for my personal motto, it’s inspired by the animated movie Kung Fu Panda, a film that often reminds us adults the love of living: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift … that's why it's called present."

Fellowship

Junior Member

I am Ceylin Gün. I am a bachelor’s student and I am a member of the lab since last year. I am mostly interested in neuroscience of decision making. I am also in one of the lab’s research groups investigating AI and morality. One saying I like is “life happened”, because much like in research, sometimes life just happens and all you can do is watch it.

Bachelor student

Junior Member, Buddy

Master student

Junior Member

I’m Zeinab Tavakkolian, a Persian student currently in my second year of a Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Padua. I’ve always been fascinated by the way people make decisions, especially economic ones. This curiosity led me to dive deep into neuroeconomics, where I’ve found the perfect balance between my major and my interest in decision-making! Joining JDM Lab has been an incredible journey, and I was lucky enough to attend Professor Rubaltelli’s classes, which opened the door to this amazing opportunity. The members are always cheerful and open to help each other. Grateful to JDM Lab for embracing me, weaknesses, strengths, and all. I’m part of the lab’s social media team, so I get to help share all the exciting things we’re working on! This line from a song totally sums me up : "You know what I deserve? Dessert!" I try to be ambitious, and always striving to reach my goals—whether it's in research or tracking down the perfect chocolate dessert. Fueled by curiosity and a sweet tooth, I believe that combining hard work with a bite of chocolate makes the journey even better!

Master student

Junior Member

My name is Dario Ardini and I am a master's student in “Applied Cognitive Psychology,” from the University of Padua. I am convinced that university should not only be solitary study with a final exam as a goal, but also group experiences, critical thinking creation, resourcefulness, discussion, participation and much more. For me, JDMLab is an opportunity to do this, to be in a network that allows you to grow, learning and experimenting, through dialogue and discussion. My first approach to this world was through behavioral economics and its biases, and I look forward to finding out where it will lead me. JDM teaches me so much, but what do I give back in return? If you follow, or have seen the social pages of our group, let's just say that in some posts there might be my contribution. One phrase I would like to share is “One step in front of the other and you get to the top.” I don't know if it represents me, but it is definitely my goal!

Master student

Junior Member

To the Vietnamese government, I’m Dang Ngoc Linh Trang, but since you’re probably not the Vietnamese government, call me Trang (or bananachocolateicecream if that’s still too confusing). I’m in my 2nd year of Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience and Clinical Neuropsychology at University of Padova. I was drawn to the JDM Lab because of its welcoming and collaborative atmosphere. It is an incredibly organized team, yet it feels more like a supportive and inclusive community rather than simply a well-oiled working machine. I’m interested in exploring the interplay between primary sensory perception and risk assessment in particular, and decision making in general. As for who I am as a person, I think this quote is the most descriptive: “Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.” Life is full of surprises, and if I just change the angle a little bit, anything can take on a whole new meaning. And as you’ve probably already guessed, I like bananas.

Master student

Junior Member

My name is Milica Vdović, but now that I’ve moved to Italy, I go by my childhood nickname, "Mili". I’m currently a PhD student at the Department of Developmental and Social Psychology at the University of Padova. I am interested in how people make decisions, especially ones concerning morality. I completed my undergraduate and master's studies in psychology at the Faculty of Media and Communications in Belgrade, with an Erasmus exchange at Leiden University. I then specialized in statistics at the National Research University in Moscow (HSE). Thanks to the Junior Researcher Programme, I learned a lot about the lab and Professor Enrico Rubaltelli, which led me to join this fantastic team!

I aim to understand values from various perspectives, as I am also a transactional analyst under supervision and a practitioner of Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEEL), a program that integrates emotional regulation and ethical discussions into schools. Outside of academia, I’m part of the circus, because, like the lab, it offers a strong, task-oriented community. I am a big nature person, I like climbing, hiking, camping, and plants. One of my favorite quotes comes from a Hagar the Horriblecomic, where Hagar's ship breaks during a storm, and he screams, "Why me?!" A voice from above answers, "Why not?" I find this funny because it reminds us to accept life’s uncertainty and stay humble.

Ph.D. student

Junior Member