Valentina Arena

I received a degree in Psychology in 2003 from the University of Florence (Italy). The main topic of my final year project was on how vision is processed in the brain. In particular I studied different mechanisms involved in vision perception of form and movement. I investigated that measuring Visual Evoked Potentials in adult subjects.

I'm now doing a PhD at City University, on the extent to which vision processing plays a role in communication. My research is on BSL communication in people with Usher Syndrome type 1. These signers are born deaf, and develop loss of vision during childhood which usually progresses to blindness in adulthood, due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.

I am currently doing behavioural studies measuring the relationship between the size of signing space and visual field, using motion-capture cameras.

Direct contact: 020 70408541   E-mail: Valentina Arena