The Biomedicines journal (ISSN: 2227-9059) is proud to present the winner of the Biomedicines 2024 Young Investigator Award—Dr. Simone Battaglia!

Dr. Simone Battaglia is currently an Associate Professor in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Bologna, Italy. His scientific background combines cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology, and translational research in biomedical engineering. His academic journey has always been driven by a strong interest in how brain stimulation and psychophysiological techniques can help us understand and modulate emotional learning and action control in both healthy individuals and neurological populations.

Please see below an interview with Dr. Simone Battaglia:

1. Could you please share your current research direction and the latest progress?
I am currently focusing on understanding and modulating the neural mechanisms of fear learning, emotional action control, and brain plasticity using non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., TMS and tDCS) in combination with EEG, EMG, HRV, and SCR. I am developing innovative cortico–cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) protocols to enhance neural connectivity and cognitive–emotional function in processing emotional visual stimuli. Recent projects also explore translational applications involving a combined approach between non-invasive stimulation and neuroimaging techniques across Bologna, Turin, and Maastricht to map causal interactions in the human brain.

2. Could you please share with us your feelings after winning the award?
Receiving the Biomedicines Young Investigator Award was both an honor and a strong encouragement. It reinforced my belief in the value of interdisciplinary, translational neuroscience and the importance of combining methodological rigor with clinical relevance. I feel grateful to my mentors, collaborators, and students for their continuous support and to the journal for acknowledging my work.

3. Could you please share the most impressive breakthrough in your research career, either in terms of ideas or research results?
One of the most meaningful breakthroughs was demonstrating that state-dependent TMS over the prefrontal cortex can disrupt fear–memory reconsolidation in humans, preventing the return of fear. This line of research had a relevant translational impact as it was central in demonstrating the possibility of using non-pharmacological interventions in anxiety-related disorders. Equally impactful has been our work published in Biomedicines, where we explored the role of neurodegeneration in cognitive and affective disorders and investigated how non-invasive brain stimulation can enhance premotor–motor network plasticity. These findings support the translational potential of neuromodulatory protocols as additional resources for the treatment of clinical populations.

4. Do you have any other suggestions on how journals and publishers can further support young researchers and the academic community?
Journals could further support early career researchers by promoting transparency in peer review, offering mentoring programs for junior reviewers, and prioritizing thematic issues or special editions led by young scientists. Open access options with reduced fees for early career researchers and increased visibility of non-Western researchers would also ensure a more equal opportunity landscape for academics worldwide.

5. Based on your experience, which research topics in this field do you think will be of particular interest to the academic community in the next few years?
In the coming years, I believe there will be a growing interest in the cross-talk between peripheral physiological systems and brain dynamics, especially in the context of emotions, learning, and psychiatric vulnerability, as these interactions are at the core of many disorders. Moreover, emerging translational approaches combining neuromodulation with neurophysiological biomarkers will shape personalized biomedicine in neuropsychiatry.

6. Do you have anything to say to your fellow scholars?
Stay passionate and curious. Science advancements have always relied on a coordinated effort, but now more than ever, interdisciplinary collaborations are central to pushing existing boundaries and generating new knowledge. Let’s keep pursuing our interests and make new, exciting breakthroughs together.