Dr. Mariapaola Barbato is a cognitive scientist with over 15 years of research experience. After obtaining her PhD from Sapienza University of Rome, she worked as postdoctoral fellow at the prestigious Hotchkiss Brain Institute (Calgary, AB, Canada), and later as Assistant Professor at Zayed University (Dubai, UAE). Over the years and using a variety of methodologies, her work has focused on exploring the link between cognitive function and mental health in both healthy and clinical populations. She has published several peer reviewed scientific articles and has taken part in numerous international conferences. Currently based in Zürich, Switzerland, Dr. Barbato serves as the Scientific Lead for the Women’s Brain Foundation (WBF), a global leader in advancing gender-specific brain health research. In her role, she contributes her expertise to research and advocacy, promoting a precision medicine approach and aiming to close the gender gap in healthcare.