Lost and Found - How the human brain knows where you are, and why it sometimes fails

The Society of Italian Researchers & Professionals in Western Canada (ARPICO) and the The Consulate General of Italy present: Italian Research day in the World: an annual lecture on science.

Spatial orientation allows us to move through the world, find our way in new places, and return home without getting lost. But how?

ITALIAN RESEARCH DAY IN THE WORLD

This event is a collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver to celebrate Italian Research Day in the World (normally held on April 15th), established in 2018 to recognize the quality and expertise of Italian researchers abroad. It aims to promote actions and investments that support Italian researchers in pursuing their careers both at home and abroad, while making Italy an attractive destination for international researchers.

In his talk, Dr. Iaria, will explain how spatial orientation allows us to move through the world, find our way in new places, and return home without getting lost. But how does the brain accomplish this remarkable ability? This talk explores the cognitive and neural mechanisms that allow humans to build internal "maps" of their surroundings, and why some people navigate effortlessly while others struggle to find their way. The talk will also introduce Developmental Topographical Disorientation (DTD), a condition in which otherwise healthy individuals get lost in even extremely familiar places.
 

Dr. Giuseppe Iaria is a Director and Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Department of Psychology and Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary, as well as the Director and Founder of the of the non-for-profit organization Canadian Space Health Research Network.

Dr. Iaria is internationally renowned for his contributions to the investigation of human spatial cognition. His research aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms underlying spatial cognition across the lifespan, from early development to old age, as well as in the context of clinical conditions that impact the central nervous system.

Among his many contributions is the discovery, in 2008, of a new developmental disorder that he termed Developmental Topographical Disorientation (DTD). Individuals with DTD are unable to orient themselves in any surroundings from childhood, despite having no brain injuries or cognitive deficits. Dr. Iaria and his team have been investigating the genetic, cognitive, and neurological mechanisms of DTD in thousands of affected individuals and developing training programs for them. Dr. Iaria is also the founder of gettinglost.ca, an online platform that he created in 2009. The platform was conceived to provide opportunities for testing and training of human spatial orientation skills, and quickly became an important online resource for both the general audience and researchers. To date, the platform is visited by millions of people every year and has been adopted by many scientists as a platform to collect data and investigate the mechanisms of human spatial orientation.

Another unique and significant contribution to science is Dr. Iaria’s pioneer research investigating the behavioral and neurological effects of space travel on astronauts. His research, conducted at NASA, has contributed to identifying how the structural and functional properties of the brain of astronauts are altered during a six-month space mission to the International Space Station. In addition to having an impact on the space industry, the findings of this research program are also relevant to the population on Earth affected by clinical conditions that are similar to the ones created on astronauts by exposure to microgravity, radiation, isolation and confinement.

Over the years, Dr. Iaria has received funding from numerous institutions, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Department of National Defence (Canada).

EVENT DETAILS

6:30 PM - Check-in for all guests.

6:50 PM - Welcome remarks by ARPICO President, Valentina Marchetti

7:00 PM - Introduction by Italian Consul General in Vancouver, Paolo Miraglia Del Giudice and Prof. Costanza Conti, Scientific Attaché, Embassy of Italy in Ottawa

7:15 PM - Lost and Found: How the Human Brain Knows Where You Are, and Why It Sometimes Fails by Dr. Giuseppe Iaria

Q&A - Following the lecture.

Socializing - Refreshments will be serverd.

9:45 PM - Clean up and closure. Help is welcome from anyone willing.