Meet OUR TEAM
Dr Flavia H. Santos
Dr Flavia H. Santos is a neuroscientist, Assistant Professor and Ad Astra Fellow at University College Dublin. Member of the Irish Children's Research Network and Director of UCD Music and Math Cognition Lab. She obtained a PhD in Science at the Federal University of São Paulo and accomplished a PhD exchange at Durham University, UK. Before joining UCD, she worked as an Associate Professor at the University of Murcia in Spain. Beyond instilled research in memory (prospective, emotional, and working memories), she is interested in numerical cognition and mathematics anxiety. Her research is focused on enhancing mathematics learning using computer-assisted instruction and musical training in children with developmental dyscalculia and pre-schoolers. She aims to unveil the mechanisms of mathematics learning and the neurophysiological responses related to interventions. She leads the Arithmós Project. Dr Santos advocates for women in STEM.
Dr Pierpaolo Dondio
Dr. Pierpaolo Dondio is a lecturer in Computer Science at TU Dublin. He has research interests in Artificial Intelligence and machine learning with applications to AI & Education and game-based learning. His interests are in how intelligent and adaptable systems can be embedded in digital educational games to improve students' learning experience. He is also interested in
how games could be used to make education more accessible and inclusive. Pierpaolo designed and implemented Seven Spells, a digital card game for teaching numerical skills and strategic thinking, which won three international awards. In September 2019, he launched the project Happy Maths, a research and engagement activity for primary school pupils, to test and roll-out his games in Schools.
Dr Mariana Rocha
Dr. Mariana Rocha is an assistant lecturer at the School of Computer Science at the Technological University Dublin. Her research interests are related to the use of technology for teaching and learning, especially considering digital games’ potential in STEM education. She has experience producing multimedia STEM content for children between 6 and 12 years old. During her PhD, Mariana designed and implemented Once
Upon a Maths, an adventure web application for primary school children. The game is based on the real history of mathematics and makes use of situated learning to allow children to work on their problem-solving skills. She is currently one of the leaders of the Junior Network Researchers in Serious Games, a project developed in collaboration with the Åbo Akademi Universit, in Finland, to support young researchers who work on developing studies about educational and serious games.
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Dr Mariuche Gomides
Dr. Mariuche Gomides is an post-doctoral researcher at the School of Psychology at the University College Dublin. She was especially contracted for this project. She is a member of UCD Music and Math Cognition lab. She holds a PhD in Psychology, a master's degree in Neuroscience, and a BA in Psychology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. She validated and standardized a numerical cognition test for Brazilian elementary school children. Her research interest is to unveil the cognitive mechanism underlying math learning and to develop evidence-based interventions for children with math learning difficulties.
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Ryan Flood
Ryan Flood is a research assistant working on the IRC project Arithmos. Ryan graduated from TU Dublin with a first class honors in Game Design. His past professional projects have included a mobile app meant to help kids with anxiety and multiple VR training courses for pharmacists. In his free time, he has worked on a prototype card game in Unity.
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​Sophie Leonard is a PhD candidate studying under the supervision of Dr Flavia Santos. Her research investigates the development of numerical cognition and spatial reasoning in children with and without developmental dyscalculia. Sophie also completed her Undergraduate and Masters degrees in UCD, during which time she conducted research in the areas of social cognition, perception, embodiment and perspective-taking.
Sophie Leonard
Ciara Roche recently completed her Masters degrees at UCD. Her Master thesis is related to the Arithmós Project. She assessed 80 children last year and found great engagement and motivation from the kids. She also found that children improved their speed in magnitude comparison after playing the game.
Ciara Roche
Andre Almo is PhD student funded by D-Real SFI center. Andre is investigating how adaptation can make games more anxiety-aware. He is a biomedical scientist interested in neuroscience, science communication, education and game design. Andre wants to create tools and games to make science education more engaging and fun. He likes reading, brainstorming, travelling and, of course, gaming.
André Almo