Currently I am investigating how group categorization affects the behavioral and psychophysiological reactions (heart rate, skin conductance responses) to social and intimate vicarious touch in Immersive Virtual Reality. Previously, I investigated the role of sexuality-related factors in the regulation of vicarious touch and interpersonal distance toward virtual agents.

More broadly, I am interested in how social attitudes affect human-avatar nonverbal communication and, in turn, how Immersive Virtual Reality could induce positive intergroup vicarious contact and reduce prejudice toward stigmatized targets.