Online Alumni Perspectives April 2025
Online Alumni Perspectives April 2025

MEET OUR FPN ALUMNI

 

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Tamara De Beuf

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Tamara De Beuf is a forensic psychologist. She completed a master in Clinical Psychology at Ghent University (2011) and a MSc in Forensic Psychology at Maastricht University (2013).
 
She first worked as a project manager in a Dutch secure youth care facility, before combining this position with a part-time PhD position. In 2022, she obtained her PhD at Maastricht University for her research on the implementation and validity of the risk assessment instrument Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability: Adolescent Version (START:AV) in secure youth care.
 
From 2021 until 2024, Tamara worked as a postdoc researcher at KU Leuven and Maastricht University, conducting research in the area of cognitive bias, wrongful convictions, and historical sexual abuse. The latter study concerned a collaboration with the Dutch National Police. In addition to conducting research, she was involved in education (teaching, supervision).
 
Tamara currently works as a postdoc researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR; Amsterdam). She is part of a large-scale longitudinal research program that evaluates community-based sanctions in the Netherlands. Additionally, she is a fellow at the Leuven Institute of Criminology at KU Leuven and the Amsterdam Laboratory of Legal Psychology. Since 2024, she is editor-in-chief of the open access magazine Inquisitive Mind (Dutch edition) that makes psychological research findings accessible to the general public.
https://tamaradebeuf.wixsite.com/mysite or https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaradebeuf/

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Vita Bogdanic

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Master's Degree: International Joint Master of Research in Work and Organizational Psychology (studied in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain).
 
Current job: Psychologist in the European Commission (Brussels)
 
I have a background in organizational psychology and research, and I currently work in the public sector for the European Commission - the EU's main body responsible for policy and lawmaking. My work is dynamic and stimulating, allowing me to engage with diverse people, apply research and psychology in practical ways, and contribute to meaningful policy-making at the heart of Europe.
 
Previous positions: Strategic Workforce Planning in the European Commission (2022-2025, Brussels), Consultant for Talent Acquisition at Merck Sharp & Dohme (2022, remote), Intern in HR at Tx Group (2019, UK).
 
Balancing Two Careers: During the week, I work in the EU institution and on weekends, I am specializing to become a psychotherapist. I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. I'm passionate about mental health, delivering training, and helping individuals navigate personal challenges.
 
What to Expect? I'll share with you my journey - the ups, the challenges, and the lessons learned along the way. I'll also share practical tips to help you navigate your own career with confidence and purpose. :)

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Yara Bouckaert

 
Yara completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Emmanuel University in Georgia, USA. Inspired by her courses, particularly the focus on practical and research skills, Yara became intrigued by the study of human behavior in the workplace. Driven by this interest and her desire to study abroad, she applied to the International Joint Master of Research in Work and Organizational Psychology program from Maastricht University, Leuphana University Lüneburg, and the University of Valencia.
After graduating, Yara started working as PhD researcher in Work and Organizational Psychology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel where she researches the interpersonal dynamics of trust-building in leader-follower relationships. By uncovering the specific behavioral patterns that foster or restore trust, her work aims to help practitioners integrate trust-building as a core leadership competency.
To gain practical experience, Yara volunteers as a consultant for WOPOYO, an evidence-based HR nonprofit consultancy founded by fellow IJMRWOP students.

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Imke Hrycyk

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Imke Hrycyk obtained her BSc in Psychology at Maastricht University, during which she spent a semester abroad in Santiago, Chile, to conduct a Marble research project on Bayesian reasoning for medical decision-making. During her MSc in Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Groningen, she researched auditory perception, specifically through cochlear implants and in people with tinnitus and hyperacusis. Following graduation and briefly working as an accounting clerk, she supported the work of a multi-center trial investigating post-COVID syndrome in neurological rehabilitation in the form of neuropsychological assessments. Concurrently, Imke worked as a freelancer, providing psychoeducation as part of a CBT program for people suffering from tinnitus and hyperacusis.
 
Imke has always been fascinated by the human brain, but more so by its intricate connection to the body. This interest led her to the field of neuro-rehabilitation, where she is now pursuing her PhD at Hasselt University with a team of physio- and occupational therapists. Her research focuses on understanding the changes in the central and peripheral nevous systems following spinal cord injury. By investigating various motor training programs, she aims to uncover rehabilitation techniques that optimize recovery for both the brain and the body, ultimately improving outcomes the individuals with spinal cord injuries.

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Daniël Janssen

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Daniël Janssen works as a forensic psychologist and manager at de Waag, a forensic outpatient clinic. As a therapist, he offers treatment to people who attract attention from the criminal justice system for violence and property crimes. He is also involved in the development of treatment programs for stalking and regularly presents on the topic. Daniël obtained his bachelor degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences at University College Roosevelt in Middelburg, after which he completed two master programs at Maastricht University, in Forensic Psychology and Legal Psychology. He has since received training in risk assessment and a variety of therapeutic methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, and EMDR.

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Sebastian Klein

 
Sebastian is a PhD researcher at Ghent University in Belgium, specializing in entrepreneurial well-being. In his research he tracks both physiological and psychological markers of well-being and focuses on team dynamics, stress regulation and coping strategies in startups. He employs both computational & simulation methods and employs longitudinal modeling techniques to analyse well-being over time. Prior to his current position, he completed the Joint Master of Science in Research in Work and Organizational Psychology from Maastricht University, Universitat de Valencia, and Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Maastricht University. This academic journey has prepared Sebastian well for his current position in research. The exposure to diverse academic environments, research methodologies, and international perspectives over the last years have provided him with a well-rounded academic skillset. As a next step, he is looking to apply his research by developing evidence-based strategies for improving well-being and resilience in employees and engage more in science communication. Outside of his work, Sebastian loves to travel, spend time with friends, hike and practice photography.

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Lea Krapp

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Lea has a passion for human behaviour in the dynamics of the workplace. Her journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2018. Seeking to delve deeper into the intersection of psychology and organisational dynamics, she pursued a Master of Science in Work and Organisational Psychology at Maastricht University in 2022.
 
Lea embarked on a career path blending psychology and recruitment. Over the past 3.5 years, she has been dedicated to sourcing, engaging, and hiring top talent, leveraging her expertise to drive organisational success. Her strategic approach goes beyond simply filling roles but rather encompassing the development of comprehensive recruitment strategies and the integration of data-driven methodologies while also coaching candidates through their career processes, enabling them to excel in their next steps.
 
Currently, Lea works as a Talent Acquisition Partner at LinkedIn, based in Dublin. In this role, she is responsible for managing the hiring for the DACH region by selecting top-tier talent to drive growth and innovation.
 
Outside her professional life, Lea finds balance through her love for sports and shared adventures with her dog in Ireland.

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Ethan Rich

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At the moment I'm a total tech bro: software, hardware, local, or even cloud-based. Neuroscience requires custom solutions to unique cases and since my master's in Maastricht I've built it all. I work for a very small company in the lead developing measurement and stimulation devices: EEG, tES, TMS and much more. We get requests from all over the world from researchers who want to do challenging experiments. Naturally, the requested technology must be sufficiently complex and user-friendly. If you want to find out more, come talk to me.
 
I wasn't always building technology, though. I have a bachelor's in psychology and then I did the one-year master's in cognitive neuroscience in Maastricht. A truly excellent time, by the way. I found out in that year that I actually enjoy building research tools more than I like doing science. Programming was interesting to me, although it did not come easily. Nothing against my wonderful internship supervisors, Lars and Bettina! Thanks to them I picked up on some good habits and a relaxed attitude. Now I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful job doing what I love.
 
In my spare time I love to spend time with my wife (whose profile is on the Alumni Perspectives of January 2025) and I enjoy many hobbies. 

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