I am currently investigating how embodying virtuous characters in virtual reality can influence prosocial behavior and civic engagement. Previously, my research focused on how social categorization shapes the regulation of social touch and interpersonal distance toward virtual agents.
Broadly, I am interested in integrating ecological paradigms, motion tracking, and physiological recordings to develop evidence-based protocols aimed at promoting attitudinal and behavioral change.
Research center
CLN²S@Sapienza
About
Education
Title: Ph.D. in Cognitive, Social and Affective Neuroscience
Institute: La Sapienza University of Rome
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
From: 2018 To: 2022
Title: M.Sc. in Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychological Rehabilitation
Institute: La Sapienza University of Rome
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
From: 2015 To: 2017
Experience External
Title: Internship
Institute: Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS
Location: Rome
Country: Italy
From: 2018 To: 2019
All Publications
2026
Verga C., Lisi M.P., Aglioti S.M., Fusaro M.
Translating, adapting and validating the Touch Experiences and Attitudes Questionnaire (TEAQ) for the Italian population
Current Psychology, vol. 45
Article
Journal
2026
Lisi M.P., Fusaro M., March F., Aglioti S.M.
Vicarious experience modulates implicit and explicit evaluation of virtual agents delivering pain and touch over an embodied avatar
Research Square
2026
Placidi V., Lisi M.P., Vabba A., Frisanco A., Aglioti S.M.
Virtual Embodiment of Civic Heroes Preserves the Conflict Associated with Anti-Mafia Intentions and Enhances Physiological Discomfort in Response to Mafia-Related Crime
International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, pp. 1-28
Article
Journal
2026
Lisi M.P., Frisanco A., Giometti A., Perrone G., Ferri D., Aglioti S.M.
Virtual proxemics “in the wild”: a cross-cultural comparison between Japanese and Italian adults recruited at public fairs
Computers in Human Behavior
Article
Journal
2025
Vabba A., Lisi M.P., Placidi V., Provenzano L., Zahid M.N., Aglioti S.M.
An immersive virtual reality (IVR) and neuroscience-based approach to study and change attitudes and behaviour towards mafia-type organized crime
PsyArXiv
Dissemination
2025
Lisi M.P., Frisanco A., Aglioti S.M.
Beyond the real: understanding interpersonal space in VR at the Italian Pavillion
Expo 2025
Public Event
2025
Lisi M.P., Frisanco A., Giometti A., Aglioti S.M.
Virtual Distance, Real Connections
Maker Faire Rome
Public Event
2024
Lisi M.P., Frisanco A., Ruocco G.
3D printers of artificial organoids, Artificial Intelligence and immersive virtual reality
IIT @CampBus @ROME
Outreach
2024
Lisi M.P.
Generative intelligences and the need for transformation of teaching action
National Association of Public Managers and Senior School Professionals Annual Conference ‘Emotions, Neuroscience and Learning'
Public Event
2022
Lisi M.P.
Invited Speaker at "Love me Tinder, Love me do: the new economics of relationships"
Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli
Public Event
Scientific Talks
2025
Lisi M.P., Giometti A., Fusaro M., Aglioti S.M.
The role of ethnicity and gender in the regulation of social and intimate touch: a combined psychophysiology and immersive virtual reality study
Congresso Associazione Italiana Psicologia (AIP) Sezione Psicologia Sociale
Conference
2023
Fusaro M., Lisi M.P., Aglioti S.M.
Immersive digital interactions: the role of social touch.
5th International Conference on Higher Education Learning Methodologies and Technologies Online
Conference
2021
Lisi M.P., Scattolin M., Fusaro M., Aglioti S.M.
Interpersonal distance: modulation of individual and social behaviour related to the COVID-19 pandemics.
World Pandemic Research Network Conference
Conference
Organized Events
2024
Placidi V., Lisi M., Vabba A., Frisanco A., Aglioti S.M.
Anti-mafia hero embodiment as a tool to fight mafias: an immersive virtual reality study
2024
Lisi M., Fusaro M., Aglioti S.M.
Artificial agents delivering pain and touch on the embodied avatar of human participants are socially evaluated depending on the stimulus valence
2024
Provenzano L., Frisanco A., Lisi M., Scattolin M., Fusaro M., Aglioti S.M.
Cambia il Corpo, Cambia la Mente
2024
Vabba A., Placidi V., Lisi M., Aglioti S.M.
Cracking the “law of silence”: immersive virtual reality to study behavioral and neurophysiological response to mafia-type crime.
2023
Provenzano L., Frisanco A., Lisi M., Scattolin M., Fusaro M., Aglioti S.M.
The body inside the metaverse