Professor Salvi researches neural mechanisms underlying insight problem-solving, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. Her theoretical questions expand from cognitive neuro- and behavioral sciences to social psychology and psychophysiology. She approaches the field of creativity by investigating its relationship with the sensory system, its association with the right temporal lobe, the dopamine system, as well as the effects of insight’s emotional component (the Aha! experience). Recently she began investigating the relationship between cognitive flexibility, social reasoning, and beliefs (e.g., believing in fake news and conspiracy theories). Her work counts the first Italian versions of the several sets of problems enabling researchers to investigate the insight among Italian speakers.
Prior to joining JCU, Professor Salvi was a postdoctoral fellow at UT Austin, Northwestern University, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (Shirley Ryan AbilityLab).
In parallel to her scientific career, in 2021 Professor Salvi started working on the theme of domestic violence, creating an art collection to raise awareness and funds to support this cause. In 2022 her paintings were exposed at the Witte Museum of San Antonio, TX.
Professor Salvi pioneered several breakthroughs in the field of creativity, her scientific work has been quoted in several media outlets such as the Washington Post, BBC, Time.com, The New York Times, Forbes, RAI Italian national TV, and Redbull TV.
See Professor Carola Salvi's CV.
