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Andrea Sommese

Working group: Companion animals

Andrea Sommese, PhD.
T +43 1 25077-4912  
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My research focuses primarily on canids, bridging ecology and behavior, with a particular emphasis on dog-human communication and language learning in dogs. An important aspect of my recent work has been eye-tracking studies, which allow me to investigate cognition and social attention in dogs. I have also developed expertise in olfactory studies, event-related potentials (ERP), neuroanatomy, 3D modeling, and wearable sensors to measure activity and heart rate variability. In collaboration with Royal Canin, I have worked on projects integrating learning and nutrition. In addition to advancing our understanding of animal cognition, my research is now focused on improving the welfare of small companion animals such as cats and guinea pigs. This work includes investigating human-animal interactions and the effects of handling practices in veterinary practices, shelters and homes. These welfare-focused studies are an important part of my postdoctoral research and aim to improve the quality of life for animals and their human carers.

CV

  • 2012. B.Sc. Natural Sciences. University of Naples 'Federico II', Italy
  • 2014. M.Sc. Ecology and Evolution. University of Ferrara, Italy
  • 2021. Ph.D. Animal Science. Czech University of Life Sciences. Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2019 - 2021. research assistant. Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2023 - Present. Postdoc. Center for Animal Nutrition and Welfare, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
  • 2023 - Present. Postdoc. Clever Dog Lab, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria