A Passion for Neuroscience: Meet Alumna Nicole Spaziani
Nicole Spaziani graduated from John Cabot University with a B.A. in Psychological Science in 2024. She recently started a graduate program (Laurea Magistrale) at the University of Padua in Cognitive Neuroscience and Clinical Neuropsychology.
Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in Rome but thanks to my parents’ careers, I grew up in an international environment. As a kid, they encouraged me to attend international colleges in England during the summer, where I learned English early on and got to know different cultures. Over the years, I had the opportunity to study in schools located in beautiful places all over England, such as London, Hertfordshire, and Cheltenham. Not only did I attend English schools, but I also studied in Bordeaux, France during my early adolescence. As I grew older and became more independent, I studied in Australia, precisely in Melbourne, where I came back a few more times during high school since I loved the multicultural environment.
How did you become passionate about psychology? What made you decide to pursue a B.A. in Psychological Science in Rome at JCU?
I became passionate about psychology during my last year of high school in Rome, after studying Freud in my philosophy class. I looked at different psychology programs in Rome, but I eventually decided that I wanted to combine my interest in psychology with my passion for English and diversity. This led me to pursue my degree at JCU, where I found the perfect international environment and academic possibilities. John Cabot was the only place that could open doors abroad, potentially in the U.S. but also all over the world. Being so young and having to make decisions for my future, I felt like John Cabot gave me more freedom and certainties.
Congratulations on being accepted to the University of Padua to do a Laurea Magistrale in Cognitive Neuroscience and Clinical Neuropsychology! Tell us something about the program and what you will be studying.
Thank you! Over time, my interest in psychology has evolved from a clinical approach to a more neuroscientific one and this Laurea Magistrale will allow me to deepen my knowledge concerning the neural bases of cognition. Specifically, I will be studying cognitive disturbances through neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques as well as prevention and rehabilitation in neurological patients.
What JCU classes and/or professors had the strongest impact on you and why?
My interest in this branch of psychology was greatly influenced by Professor Thomas Hope, who taught me in courses such as psychobiology and psycholinguistics. I also had the opportunity to be his research assistant for two projects, one concerning the psycholinguistics field and the other involving the use of the EMOTIV EEG rig, an interesting device used for measuring electrical activity in the brain. It was the first time that the JCU Department of Psychology was able to use such technology and therefore this last project was particularly interesting and special for me. Professor Hope’s expertise and passion for neuroscience had a great impact on me and I am confident that his mentorship played a big role in guiding me towards this path.
What are your plans for the future?
As for my future, I want to continue my studies after the Laurea Magistrale and become a licensed therapist. My goal is to specialize in the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered brain injuries.
