Sonja Cecchetti
Clinical Neuropsychologist · Ph.D. Candidate · Digital Biomarkers Researcher
I investigate eye-tracking and language-based digital biomarkers for the early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders.
My work combines clinical neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, eye-tracking methodology, and quantitative analysis to develop clinically meaningful tools for cognitive assessment.
About
Academic Profile
I am a clinical neuropsychologist and Ph.D. candidate in Applied Sciences for Health and Sustainability at eCampus University, Italy.
My research focuses on the clinical application of eye tracking in cognitive assessment, with particular attention to cognitive decline, neurodegenerative disorders, and digital biomarkers. I am interested in how eye-movement behaviour, reading performance, language measures, and dynamic gaze metrics can provide meaningful information about cognitive functioning.
My background combines clinical neuropsychology, cognitive assessment, research methodology, experimental design, and quantitative analysis. This interdisciplinary profile allows me to approach cognitive assessment from both a clinical and methodological perspective.
In 2026, I was a Visiting Scholar at the School of Computing, Clemson University, where I worked on eye tracking and visual computing applied to cognitive assessment. I also held a research fellowship at the Brain Connectivity Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, contributing to neuroscience and neuropsychology research on dementia progression.
My long-term academic goal is to contribute to the development of sensitive, scalable, and clinically interpretable methods for the early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline.
Awards, Fellowships & Funding
- Best Abstract & Travel Award, Health Aging Week 2025, Ferrero Foundation, Alba, Italy.
- Ph.D. Scholarship, Ph.D. Programme in Applied Sciences for Health and Sustainability, eCampus University.
- Research Fellowship, Brain Connectivity Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome.
Research
Research Overview
My research addresses a central question: how can eye-tracking and language-based measures improve the early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline?
I investigate digital behavioural markers that may complement traditional neuropsychological assessment and provide objective, sensitive, and scalable indicators of cognitive functioning.
The translational aim of my work is to develop methods that are scientifically robust, clinically interpretable, and feasible for future use in cognitive assessment.
Main Research Areas
Eye Tracking in Cognitive Assessment
I investigate how eye movements reflect cognitive processes such as attention, executive functioning, visual exploration, reading, and comprehension. My work examines whether gaze behaviour can provide objective markers of cognitive vulnerability in older adults and clinical populations.
Digital Biomarkers of Cognitive Decline
My research explores eye-tracking and language-based digital biomarkers for neurocognitive disorders. I am interested in how these measures may support earlier detection, differential characterization, and monitoring of cognitive decline.
Language, Reading, and Cognition
I study reading performance, comprehension, and linguistic measures as indicators of cognitive functioning. This line of work examines how reading speed, errors, comprehension performance, and language production may reveal subtle cognitive changes.
Dynamic Gaze Metrics
I explore time-varying gaze measures and dynamic eye-movement analysis, including real time metrics of visual attention and cognitive load. This work aims to move beyond static summary measures and capture the temporal dynamics of cognitive processing.
Current project
The CogET Protocol
My current Ph.D. research investigates the clinical application of eye tracking in the assessment of neurocognitive disorders.
The CogET protocol combines neuropsychological testing, eye-tracking tasks, reading and language-based measures, and quantitative analysis to examine whether digital behavioural markers can help identify cognitive impairment in older adults.
This work aims to contribute to a more objective and scalable approach to cognitive assessment, with potential applications in ageing, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Future Research Direction
Publications & Presentations
Selected Publications
Cecchetti, S., Duchowski, A. T., & Cavallo, M. (2026). “See What I Mean?” Linguistic Digital Markers of Cognitive Decline in Nursing Home Residents. J. Integr. Neurosci. 2026, 25(5), 49652. https://doi.org/10.31083/
Cecchetti, S., Cavallo, M. & Duchowski, A. T. (2026). The Need for Real-Time Metrics and Related Research Protocols. In 2026 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications (ETRA ’26), June 01–04, 2026, Marrakesh, Morocco. ACM, New York, NY, USA, 5 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/
Duchowski, A. T., Cavallo, M. & Cecchetti, S. (2026). Dynamical Time Course Analysis of Real-Time Gaze Metrics. In 2026 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications (ETRA ’26), June 01–04, 2026, Marrakesh, Morocco. ACM, New York, NY, USA, 6 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/
Cecchetti, S., Duchowski, A. T., & Cavallo, M. (2025). Eye-Tracking Metrics as a Digital Biomarker for Neurocognitive Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis: A Scoping Review. Brain Sciences, 15(2), 149. https://doi.org/10.3390/
Cecchetti, S., Roy, U & Cavallo, M. (2024). From the Eyes to the Suffering Brain: Can Eye Tracking be Considered as a Significant Digital Biomarker for Neurological Diseases? J. Integr. Neurosci, Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.31083/j.
Selected Conference Presentations
ACM ETRA 2026 — Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications
Short papers and oral presentations on real-time gaze metrics and dynamic eye-movement analysis.
AAIC 2026 — Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
Accepted contribution on dynamical eye-movement analysis for the detection of mild cognitive impairment.
INS 2026 — International Neuropsychological Society
Accepted contribution on the Picture Interpretation Test and dynamic eye tracking in nursing home residents.
ADI 2026 — Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference
Poster presentations on clinical eye tracking and eye-tracking metrics for mild cognitive impairment.
Health Aging Week 2025 — Ferrero Foundation
Oral presentation awarded with the Best Abstract & Travel Award.
Full Publication List
A full list of peer-reviewed publications, conference proceedings, protocols, posters, and accepted contributions is available in my CV.
Teaching
My teaching experience includes clinical neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, communication psychology, and research-related supervision.
At eCampus University, I serve as Teaching Assistant in Clinical Neuropsychology and in Cognitive, Affective and Social Neuroscience. My activities include teaching support, participation in examination boards, and co-supervision of Master’s theses.
My teaching interests include clinical neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychological assessment, ageing and neurodegenerative disorders, research methodology, eye-tracking methods, and digital biomarkers in cognitive and clinical research.
I aim to promote an integrated approach to teaching, combining clinical reasoning, methodological rigour, and critical engagement with scientific evidence.
Academic Service
Peer Review Activity
I serve as a reviewer for international scientific journals in neuropsychology, neurological disorders, digital health, and applied perception.
Selected reviewing activity:
- Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, Elsevier
- Frontiers in Digital Health
- ACM Transactions on Applied Perception
Scientific Memberships
- AIP — Italian Psychological Association
- INS — International Neuropsychology Society
- ISTAART — Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment
- ACM SIGCHI — Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction
Curriculum Vitae
Contact
I welcome enquiries related to research collaborations, postdoctoral opportunities, fellowship applications, invited talks, teaching, editorial activities, and interdisciplinary projects in cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology, eye tracking, and digital biomarkers.
For academic or professional enquiries, please use the contact form or contact me by email.