Eleonora Bieber | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Eleonora Bieber | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Eleonora Bieber | IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris | Italy

Dr. Eleonora Bieber is a highly experienced neurodevelopmental disorder therapist and biomedical scientist based in Livorno, Italy, with over 15 years of expertise in pediatric neurorehabilitation, higher education, and clinical research. Her professional work integrates clinical practice with academic innovation, focusing on motor learning and imitation processes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Coordination Disorders (DCD). At the IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation in Pisa, she has played a key role in conducting clinical evaluations, designing individualized rehabilitation programs, and leading research initiatives that bridge clinical and academic environments. Her involvement in cutting-edge projects, such as INNOVATivE Technologies in Neurorehabilitation and the Artificial Intelligence and Cerebral Palsy (AINCP) project, underscores her commitment to technological innovation in neurorehabilitation. With strong skills in research design, SPSS-based data analysis, and interdisciplinary coordination, Dr. Bieber continues to contribute significantly to advancing evidence-based practices in neurodevelopmental therapy. Her scholarly impact includes 5 publications, 78 citations, and an h-index of 4, reflecting her influence in the field of neurodevelopmental research and her dedication to improving therapeutic outcomes for children through collaborative, technology-enhanced approaches.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Bieber, E., Smits-Engelsman, B. C. M., Sgandurra, G., Martini, G., Guzzetta, A., Cioni, G., Feys, H., & Klingels, K. (2023). Insights on action observation and imitation abilities in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder and typically developing children. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 136, 104556.

Bieber, E., Smits-Engelsman, B. C. M., Sgandurra, G., Di Gregorio, F., Guzzetta, A., Cioni, G., Feys, H., & Klingels, K. (2021). A new protocol for assessing action observation and imitation abilities in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A feasibility and reliability study. Human Movement Science, 78, 102717.

Buchignani, B., Beani, E., Pomeroy, V., Iacono, O., Sicola, E., Perazza, S., Bieber, E., Feys, H., Klingels, K., & Cioni, G. (2019). Action observation training for rehabilitation in brain injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Neurology, 19, 186.

Bieber, E., Smits-Engelsman, B. C. M., Sgandurra, G., Cioni, G., Feys, H., Guzzetta, A., & Klingels, K. (2016). Manual function outcome measures in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD): Systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 55, 53–63.

Sofia Gandolfi | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sofia Gandolfi | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sofia Gandolfi | Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta | Italy

Ms. Sofia Gandolfi is an Italian Speech and Language Therapist specializing in the assessment and management of swallowing disorders, particularly in children with neurogenic and neuromuscular conditions such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She has gained extensive clinical experience at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta in Milan, where she performs swallowing screenings, clinical evaluations, and develops individualized rehabilitation plans involving therapy, compensatory strategies, and dietary recommendations in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams that include neurologists, ENT specialists, gastroenterologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists. Her work emphasizes evidence-based interventions to enhance swallowing safety, efficiency, and quality of life for patients. Sofia also has experience in assessing and treating children and adults with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, both in outpatient settings and home-based care. Beyond clinical practice, she has contributed to research on swallowing physiology, intervention efficacy, and quality improvement initiatives in dysphagia services. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Speech and Language Studies with a specialization in Dysphagia from Trinity College Dublin. Her academic contributions are reflected in 1 published document, 1 citation, and an h-index of 1, demonstrating her emerging engagement in research and her commitment to advancing clinical practices in speech and swallowing therapy.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid | Research Gate | Linked In

Featured Publications

Mozzanica, F., Pizzorni, N., Gitto, M., Dosi, C., Mandelli, A., Gandolfi, S., & others. (2024). Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1: Feasibility, swallowing safety and efficacy, and dysphagia phenotype. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 281(12), 6523–6532.

Gandolfi, S., Dosi, C., Parravicini, S., Arnoldi, M. T., Zanin, R., Biagi, S., Rinaldi, L., & others. (2025). Exploring the trajectory of swallowing within psychomotor development in spinal muscular atrophy: Moving toward integrated care. Audiology Research.

Masson, R., Dosi, C., Parravicini, S., Scopelliti, M., Arnoldi, M., Zanin, R., & others. (2025). 519P The challenge of swallowing assessment in SMA1: Dysphagia clinical features and available assessment tools. Neuromuscular Disorders, 53, 105608.