Thematic Session 5

THEMATIC SESSION #5

Camillo Porcaro

Department of Neuroscience and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Italy

• camillo.porcaro@unipd.it

Fractal Dimension (FD) analysis has emerged as a cornerstone in neuroscience and biomedical engineering, offering unparalleled insights into the intricate dynamics of brain function. This cutting-edge approach quantifies the complexity, predictability, and regularity of physiological signals, such as electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and the combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and EEG, providing crucial information about the brain's operational state.

The brain operates near criticality – a balanced state between order and chaos that optimises adaptability and efficiency. FD analysis provides a powerful framework for understanding how this criticality manifests in various neurological and healthy conditions.

This thematic session will explore the transformative applications of FD analysis, specifically focusing on its relevance to Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) and non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions as an add-on therapy to conventional rehabilitative treatments.

Key areas of discussion will include:

• Developing robust and reliable FD-based BCI paradigms: Exploring how FD features can be effectively extracted and utilised to improve BCI performance, such as enhancing classification accuracy and decoding complex brain states.
• Developing personalised NIBS interventions: Utilising FD analysis to individual brain dynamics and tailoring neuromodulation by inhibiting or activating neural activity in the targeted cortical region in each subject.

This event will bring together leading researchers to present the latest innovations and methodologies in FD analysis for enhancing BCI and NIBS interventions. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how FD can serve as an economical and non-invasive biomarker for:

• Early detection and monitoring of neurological disorders.
• Developing more effective neuromodulation interventions.
• Revolutionising the field of BCI.

Join us to explore how FD analysis shapes the future of neuroscience and biomedical engineering.

Camillo Porcaro is a distinguished computational neuroscientist who dedicated his career to pioneering analytical methods for extracting valuable information from non-invasive brain activity measures. His ground-breaking research, published in numerous high-impact scientific journals, has revolutionised our understanding of brain function and offers significant advancements in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders.

Educational Background: Dr Porcaro's academic journey began in 2008 when he earned his doctoral degree with honours in 'Functional Neuroimaging: from Cells to Systems' at the Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), University of Chieti, Italy. Shortly after, he embarked on a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Birmingham—School of Psychology, where he pioneered the simultaneous use of EEG/fMRI techniques.

Career Milestones:

• 2008: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Birmingham—School of Psychology.
• 2011: Independent Researcher, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University.
• 2011-2021: Independent Researcher, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC) - National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.
• 2014-2015: Visiting Professor, Neural Control of Movement Lab, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
• 2015-2022: Adjunct Professor, Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
• 2016-2020: Visiting Professor, Department of Human Kinesiology, KU Leuven, Belgium.
• 2018-2021: Head of Research, hdEEG Lab, S. Anna Institute and Research in Advanced Neurorehabilitation (RAN), Crotone, Italy.
• Since 2021: Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova.

Research Contributions: Dr Porcaro has an impressive record of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, reflecting his relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation. His work has garnered significant recognition, boasting 3912 citations, an h-index of 38, and an i10-index of 82 on Google Scholar. As an invited speaker at prestigious research centres and international conferences, he continues to share his expertise and insights with the global scientific community.

Current Roles and Honours:

• Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience (ING-INF/06);
• Academic Board Member, PhD in Neuroscience (PNC);
• Associate Researcher, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC) – National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy;
• IEEE Senior Member;
• External Expert, European Research Executive Agency;
• Honorary Senior Research Fellow, School of Psychology, Birmingham University Imaging Center (BUIC), Birmingham, UK;
• Ordinary Member, National Group of Biomedical Engineering.

National Scientific Qualifications:

• Associate Professor in Bioengineering (09/G2 – ING-INF/06);
• Full Professor in Physiology (BIO/09 - 05/D1);
• Full Professor in General Psychology, Psychobiology, and Psychometrics (11/E1);
• Full Professor in Technology and Methodology in Medicine, Nursing, and Sport Sciences (06/N1).

Dr Camillo Porcaro's exceptional career reflects his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of computational neuroscience. He has made significant strides in both research and education.