Peter Enticott

Prof. Peter Enticott is Discipline Leader in Cognitive Neuroscience and Director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU) in the School of Psychology, Melbourne Burwood campus. Currently funded by a Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council (ARC), Peter is a cognitive neuroscientist and registered psychologist. He is also Associate Head of School (Research and Research Training) in the School of Psychology, Secretary for the Australasian Brain Stimulation Society (ABSS), and Research Integrity Advisor for the Faculty of Health, Deakin University.

Peter’s work examines the neurobiological basis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD, including autism and Asperger’s syndrome). These are highly-prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders that affect social functioning, communication, and behaviour, and for which there is currently no biomedical treatment. Related to this, Peter is also interested in the way that the human brain allows us to understand other’s thoughts and emotions (e.g., empathy), and the development of these brain systems in early childhood.

Peter uses a combination of cutting-edge neuroscience techniques (e.g., functional neuroimaging, electroencephalography, non-invasive brain stimulation) and clinical/neurobehavioural assessment among both healthy and clinical populations. Peter is also committed to the translation of this work to the development of a first biomedical treatment for ASD, and a large part of his research involves world-first clinical trials assessing whether non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation [TMS], transcranial direct current stimulation [tDCS]) can be used to improve both clinical and neurophysiological aspects of ASD. Peter is part of an international consensus group for the use of TMS in ASD.

In 2006 Peter completed a PhD at Monash University, where he examined neuropsychological factors associated with impulsivity and aggression among violent offenders. Prior to this he completed his undergraduate studies in psychology at Deakin University.

Peter has worked in autism and cognitive neuroscience research since 2001 and has published over 100 scientific articles. Peter was previously funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) career development fellowship (2013-2016), and currently holds a NARSAD Independent Investigator Award from the Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation (US).