Participants

In order to know who you will be able to meet during this day we provide a bio sketch and information on research focus of all participants here.

 

Gunter Kenis | Maastricht University
Omics (proteome, transcriptome, (epi)genome) - In-vitro models
Psychoneuroimmunology, Induced pluripotent stem cells, Epigenetics mechanisms, genomics, Gene-environment interactions

My research focuses on mechanisms of gene-environment interactions in the context of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Discoveries from several of our cohort studies yielded candidate pathways that are now being examined and validated at molecular level. For this, we are currently establishing patient-derived in-vitro models of stress-related disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease. Secondly, I am passionate about mind-body relationships, in particular the impact of peripheral inflammation on brain function. Here, we currently investigate the role of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway as mediators in these processes, and how inflammation-induced activation of this pathway contributes to affective and cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer’s Disease.
Publications

Bieke Broux | University of Hasselt
Blood-brain barrier, Multiple sclerosis

Bieke Broux, PhD, is group leader of the "Chronic inflammation and BBB disruption in Neurodegeneration (CBN)" lab, and Assistant Professor in Immunology at Hasselt University (Biomedical Research Institute). Her research is focused on the interaction between the immune system and the central nervous system, specifically in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS). During her PhD, she studied T cell homeostasis in MS, with a focus on pathogenic and pro-inflammatory CD4+CD28- T cells. After her PhD, she obtained a postdoctoral fellowship grant from the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO). During the first two years of this postdoctoral fellowship, she worked in the lab of Prof. Dr. Alexandre Prat (CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, Canada), who is an expert in the field of blood brain barrier biology and disruption in multiple sclerosis. Here, Bieke acquired detailed knowledge as well as technical skills with regard to both human and mouse blood brain barrier models, while working on several projects. For her return to the lab of Prof. Dr. Hellings, she obtained a prestigious European ECTRIMS postdoctoral fellowship grant, as well as several bench fee grants (Belgian Charcot Foundation, FWO, Belgian MS support fund) to start a research line on the blood brain barrier in multiple sclerosis at the Biomedical Research Institute. In addition, she recently received a Global MS Research Booster Award, an international fellowship grant awarded once every two years by the Dutch “Stichting MS Research” to boost the development of a postdoctoral fellow into an independent group leader. Bieke is currently co-promotor of one finished and four ongoing doctorates at Hasselt University and she has supervised over 30 bachelor and master students during their internships.
Publications
 

Tim Vanmierlo | University of Hasselt/Maastricht University
Alzheimer's disease & Multiple Sclerosis, remyelination, oligodendrocytes

Since 2016, I am heading a research line on repair-inducing cognition enhancers in neurodegenerative disorders as part of the NIC&R group. In this context, we apply a battery of gene-editing approaches (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9, in vivo micro-electroporation) to modulate biological processes. In 2019, a cross-border initiative was established with the school for mental health and neuroscience (MHeNs) at Maastricht University to merge knowledge and expertise on cognition enhancers and gene-editing approaches. 13 joint Ph.D. students and three postdocs are currently employed under my supervision on this initiative.
Next to my core research, I am member of the executive committee of BIOMED (topic valorisation), and leading the division translational neuroscience in MHeNs.
Publications
 

Birke Benedikter | Maastricht University
Retinal Neurodegeneration, complement system

I hold a binational Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the Universities of Luxembourg and Liège (2011) and a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences from Maastricht University (2013). During my PhD at Maastricht University (2013-2017), I established protocols for the study of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and have shown that EVs secreted by lung epithelial cells promote thrombosis and inflammation in response to environmental triggers such as cigarette smoke. I further explored the role of EVs in host-pathogen interactions as a postdoc/junior group leader at the Philipps University Marburg (2018-2021) and expanded my research more generally to the immuno-metabolism in epithelial cells during bacterial infections. In 2022, I joined the University Eye Clinic Maastricht as a principal investigator. Here, I currently lead research into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in ocular diseases, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Using pluripotent stem cell-based models (e.g. retinal organoids, retinal neurons and glia cells), I study the influence of triggers such as mechanical stress, microbial products or hyperglycemia on neuronal cell death, EV-mediated cell-to-communication and neuroinflammatory responses. In addition, I work closely with clinical specialists from the University Eye Clinic Maastricht and with the Eye Tissue Bank Maastricht to translate findings from my experimental research into new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
Publications
 

 

Federico De Martino | Maastricht University
Auditory, UHF MRI, MEG, laminar electrophysiology

Master in electronic engineerring. PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience. Post Doc at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research in Minneapolis (USA). My research focuses on understanding the computations underlying auditory perception using a combination of computational modeling and advanced neuroimaging in humans.
 

Natalia Kononenko | University of Cologne
Parkinson, mouse models, cell cycle

2020: Associate Professor, Molecular and cellular physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne
2015 - 2020: Research Group Leader, CECAD, University of Cologne, Germany
2012 - 2015: Project leader, Leibniz-Institute for Molecular Pharmacology (FMP), Berlin
2009 - 2012: Postdoctoral researcher, Charité Medical School, Berlin
2007 - 2009: Postdoctoral researcher, Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Trondheim, Norway
2005 - 2007: Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellow, Free University Berlin, Berlin
2002 - 2005: PhD in Human and animal physiology, Kolzov’s Institute for Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
1996 - 2001: Diploma in Biology, Faculty of Biology, Department of Human and Animal Physiology, State University of Kaliningrad, Russia.
 

Melissa Schepers | University of Hasselt
Range of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease but also multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury among others
Cognition, neuron-glia biology

Melissa Schepers is a junior postdoc at the lab of Prof. Dr. Tim Vanmierlo at BIOMED of Hasselt University and Maastricht University. She also performed her PhD in the lab of Prof. Vanmierlo, titled “PDE4 gene inhibition - a novel approach to treat demyelinating disorders”. She is currently conducting postdoctoral research focused on spatiotemporal regulation of PDE4D containing nanodomains in neurons and oligodendrocytes (FWO junior postdoctoral fellowship). Melissa’s research aims to shed light on selective PDE4D isoform inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to induce myelin- and neuroregeneration in multiple sclerosis.
Publications
 

 

Rudy Schreiber| Maastricht University
Major depression, transdiagnostic; RDoC; serotonin

Rudy Schreiber got his B.S. in Medicinal Biology and his Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He started his career in central nervous system drug discovery in 1993. Subsequently he progressed from bench scientist to senior leadership roles at global pharmaceutical companies, including Servier (France), Bayer (Germany), Roche (CA) and Sepracor (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc, MA). From 2010 till 2012 he was the SVP of the Neurobiology group of the contract research organization, Evotec (Germany). Rudy’s drug discovery experience covers a wide range of psychiatric and neurologic indications. He also worked with many different classes of molecular targets and led projects ranging from the idea stage throughout proof of principle testing. He has published more than 100 papers and 30 patents. In 2012, he founded Suadeo Drug Discovery Consulting LLC in Boston. Rudy joined Maastricht University in 2018 and is coordinator of the 2-year research master program Drug Development and NeuroHealth. After this career change, he (re)discovered his interest for education, especially for training the next generation of drug hunters and neuro-entrepreneurs. Rudy is a Homo Aquaticus who lives on a boat in Maastricht Marina and spends his free time rowing on the Maas River or sailing offshore.
Publications
 

Mario Senden| Maastricht University
Visual, biophysics, artificial intelligence, deep learning

As an Assistant Professor at Maastricht University's Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, I lead the Cognitive Computational Neuroscience Group in exploring fundamental mechanisms of neural information processing. My research integrates goal-driven deep learning, biophysical modelling, and data-driven model discovery to understand the cortical perception-action loop.
 I'm passionate about developing novel methodologies that bridge the gap between theoretical neuroscience and empirical observations.
 

Zeus Tipado| Maastricht University
Visual, psychedelics, fnirs, vr

Zeus Tipado is a Neuropsychopharmacology PhD candidate at Maastricht University focusing on researching the brain while under DMT inside virtual/extended reality. He’s using fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) to give humanity its first glimpse on brain energy distribution in the visual cortex during this unique psychedelic process.
Publications

 

Janine Kox | Maastricht University
Cognitive biases (across non-clinical populations and clinical disorders such as Major Depression, functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), neuroplasticity

My name is Janine, a PhD candidate from Luxembourg, with an academic background in Psychology and Neuroscience. I am simultaneously a personal and business coach, thereby aiming to bridge theory and practice to improve mental health. To do so, my research focuses on the effects of stress and sleep deprivation on cognitive biases, by using the transdiagnostic rDOC approach, and see whether psychedelics such as LSD, Psilocybin and even non-hallucinogenic psychedelics can reverse these effects.
 

Emmanuel Hermans | UCLouvain
Pain, Gliosis

He is specialist in fundamental pharmacology and in Neuropharmacology. Pharmacist (1990), PhD in neurochemistry (1994), full professor since 2012 (teaching neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and neuropsychopharmacology). 
His main interest is the regulation of neurotransmission with a focus on the role of astrocytes in the regulation of excitatory transmission and its modulation in nervous disorders. He has deeply investigated the molecular mechanism controlling the activity of glutamate transporters in astrocytes in models of neurological disorders, in particular in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in models of chronic/neuropathic pain. For these disorders, we maintain transgenic models and surgical models. We have also developed a platform for behavioural testing of locomotor activities and pain. The regulation of glutamate handling by glial cells (glutamate receptors, transporters, metabolizing enzymes, and exchanger) is studied both in vivo/ex vivo and in vitro. Considering my expertise and interest in pharmacology, we examine the impact of several soluble transmitters on these glutamate targets. We also test diverse drugs acting on neurotransmitter targets in glial cells as well as inflammatory mediators.

 

Niels Hellings | University of Hasselt
Neurodegeneration/Aging, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, (immune) senescence, exercise immunology

Niels Hellings is director of the Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED) and professor in immunology at the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences of Hasselt University. He graduated as master in bioscience-engineering at the Catholic University of Leuven (1996) and consequently obtained a PhD in immunology at Hasselt University (2000). He was visiting postdoctoral scientist at McGill University (Montréal), before returning to Hasselt University to setup up his own research group.
He now heads the Neurimmune Connections & Repair (NIC&R) lab that focuses on the complex interplay between the central nervous system and the immune system that is crucial for a long and healthy life. Disturbances in this delicate balance contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. The NIC&R lab investigates fundamental mechanisms in neuroinflammation, repair and immune aging using patient derived material and in vitro and in vivo models, so that novel leads for disease interventions are identified and validated. In addition to basic research, the NIC&R lab invests in collaborations with biotech and pharma and shares its passion for science through popular science communication.
Niels Hellings is president of the Belgian Immunological Society and board member of the European Graduate School of Neuroscience and Flanders Vaccine vzw.
Publications

 

Melanie Foecking | RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Neuropsychiatry, Psychosis, complement pathway

Melanie Föcking is a neuroscientist and cell biologist working to understand protein changes and pathways in psychotic disorder. She obtained her PhD in Experimental Neuroscience from the Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany and the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands, and the European Graduate School of Neuroscience. Thereafter she started as a Postdoctoral Research fellow with David Cotter in the Department of Psychiatry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin, Ireland. She closely collaborated with Michael Dunne in the newly established proteomics facilities in UCD Dublin. Melanie is an Editor of PROTEOMICS and PROTEOMICS - Clinical Applications, an associate Editor of Frontiers in Molecular Psychiatry and authored over 30 proteomics related peer reviewed papers, with some of her work published in JAMA Psychiatry and Molecular Psychiatry. Her recent work is focusing on synaptic changes in the brain and the complement pathway in psychosis with the aim of identifying new targets for treatment.
Publications

 

Ferdinand Binkofski | RWTH Aachen University
Neurology, Stroke, Cognitive Psychology

Since 2010 Full Professor for Clinical Cognitive Sciences at the RWTH Aachen University
Publications

 

Lukas Lorentz | RWTH Aachen University
Neurocognition & perception, Visual, Effective connectivity analysis

My research focuses on the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality applications in (neuropsychological) rehabilitation. Extended Reality (XR) technology offers many opportunities for innovative therapy interventions that potentially increase adherence and ecological validity and allow for telerehabilitation. In this context, our research group is developing and evaluating novel XR-based approaches for rehabilitating deficits in attention and executive function and neglect. My neuroimaging research using fMRI and fNIRS is centered around the mechanisms of visual attention and tool use in virtual environments. Alumni of Radboud and Maastricht University.
Publications
 

Nicolas Sergeant | Université de Lille
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Alzheimer, Small drug development

Nicolas Sergeant is a research Director in the Alzheimer & Tauopathies team at the LilNCog Neuroscience Research Center of Lille University, University Hospital Center, and Inserm UMRS 1172. In the second middle of the 90s, he degreed a Ph.D. in Biology of Aging at Paris VII University and contributed to the characterization of Tau isoforms biochemical signature in Tauopathies as well as the mechanism regulating Tau splicing as consequences of Tau mis- splicing in a rare neuromuscular disorder such as myotonic dystrophy. His former work consisted of a better understanding of the “natural history” of the potential relationship between the amyloid and Tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. His current research topic aims at the neosynthesis, screening and identification of small molecules effective on both amyloid and Tau pathologies in Alzheimer's disease, one of them currently being achieved the clinical Phase II to treat a rare Tauopathy referred to as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He contributed to the development of a gene therapy through the design of an innovative engineered decoy-protein approach against myotonic dystrophy. His expertise in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, biomarkers discovery and therapeutic development led to several patents and the development as a cofounder of the MedTech company SPQI that brings to the market the first molecular marker of male infertility and assays to assess spermatozoa functionality, fertility, and immunological tools dedicated to neurodegenerative diseases (https://www.4biodx.com). Through his in delighted research activity including more than 150 original scientific contributions, his work has been cited thousands of times by colleagues.
Publications
 

Inez Wens | Maastricht University
Neurology, Multiple sclerosis, Regeneration, Remyelination

I'm a lab manager and senior postdoctoral researcher at the Repair-inducing cognition enhancers (RICE) research group, at the University of Maastricht and University of Hasselt. Previously, I coordinated an European Horizon2020 project, performing a phase I/II clinical trial, in the development of an antigen specific cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. I'm a dedicated MS researcher, with a special interest to bring novel (regenerative) therapies closer to patients. As a bioscience engineer (cell & gene technology), I have a strong background in in vitro and in vivo research. My research resulted in >50 scientific publications (of which >15 as first or last author) in peer-reviewed, international journals. Furthermore, I'm the lead author of a book chapter, looking beyond neurological impairments in MS patients. I received invitations to present my work at several international conferences and my work has been (inter)nationally recognized and rewarded (FWO, MS Liga research grant, Charcot research fund, Roche, Stichting MS research, conference prices,...). I'm currently promotor of 2 ongoing (J. Van den Bos, Y. El Ouaamari) and 1 defended (I. Janssens) PhD projects and co-promotor of 2 ongoing (B. Rombaut, A. Taddeucci) and 1 defended (C. Keytsman) PhD projects.
Publications

 

Rik Sijben | RWTH Aachen University
Neurocognition & perception, Chemosentation & integration, social interaction, fMRI, hyperscanning

"My background and scientific interest focus mostly in perception and integration (vision, olfaction, gustation). After obtaining my PhD at the RWTH Aachen University in 2019, I joined the Brain Imaging Facility at the RWTH Aachen. In addition to conducting own lines of research, we are responsible for the implementation and optimization of new neuroscientific methods and techniques, ensuring that all (neuro-) scientists are the Uniklinik RWTH Aachen can conduct high level research.

In addition I offer assistance and courses on research design, statistics, MRI data analysis, and programming."
Publications

 

Sophie Halliez | Université de Lille
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Alzheimer, Connectivity; prion-like

"I work in the Lille Neuroscience & Cognition research centre in the Inserm laboratory “Alzheimer & tauopathies”. I study neurodegenerative disorders and more specifically proteinopathies.
I currently focus on the cellular mechanisms underlying the  spreading of tau pathology through the brain during Alzheimer’s disease and other taupathies (cell-to-cell transfer of tau, seeding process, cell vulnerability phenomenon, etc) and how tau pathology impacts neural networks. To do so, I develop and characterize in vitro and ex vivo models of neural networks."
Publications

 

Isabelle Fournier | Université de Lille
Neurology, Brain tumors and CSI, mass spectrometry imaging, proteomics

Prof. Fournier is Distinguished Professor at the University of Lille and co-director of the PRISM Inserm U1192 Lab. She also acts as Vice President for Doctoral Research at the University of Lille. She is a bioanalytical chemist specialized in clinical mass spectrometry and proteomics. She started research working on fundamental of MALDI during her PhD at University Pierre & Marie Curie and then, as a postdoctoral fellow within the group of Prof. Michael Karas in Frankfurt. In 2002, she established her own group at University of Lille where she started developing MALDI MS Imaging. She contributed to the field with several developments including new MALDI matrixes, novels strategies for unlocking the imaging of FFPE tissues and proteins, and the development of tagged probes for specific imaging of different targets including mRNA and proteins. In 2009, she was hired as a Full Professor and awarded a Junior position at the french academy of excellence Institut Universitaire de France (IUF). Since 2012, she has focused on the development of Spatially Resolved Proteomics in combination with MALDI MSI for applications in oncology. Over the past 5 years, she also worked on the development of in vivo MS for guided surgery and intraoperative analysis. She confounded the Imabiotech Company (now Aliri Bioanalysis) which provides services in MALDI MSI and recently the Celeos startup for MS-based guided surgery. She was recently distinguished by the International Contribution Award from MSACL and was awarded a senior position at IUF.
Publications

 

Michel Salzet | Université de Lille
Neurology, Brain tumors and CSI, Neural antibody, Astrocytes, omics

Professor Michel Salzet (58) is Director of the Inserm U1192 PRISM unit at the University of Lille. He obtained his doctorate in Life Sciences from the University of Lille in 1993, where he has held the Chair of Immunology since 1997. After completing his doctorate, he worked as a research associate at the Institute for Neuroscience in Old Westbury (USA), before being appointed Senior Research Scientist at the Mind Body Institute of Harvard Medical School (1998-2020). He became a member of the IUF in 1998. He is co-founder of the start-ups IMABIOTECH (2009), CELEOS (2023) and CARMA (Incubation 2023). He holds 20 patents, has co-authored 395 publications (H-index GoS 68) and 20 book chapters, and has been invited to give 165 lectures. He created the Lille Masters in Proteomics (2000) and Omics & Systems Biology (2020). He was director of the Lille Biology and Health ED (1998-2002) and head of the Génopôle programme for ULille (1998-2003). He has supervised 26 doctoral students. He has obtained more than 30 national, international and industrial contracts. He has received a number of awards, including the Wicart Hagenstein Medal in 1993, the IUF in 1998, the Grand Prix des Sciences from the Lille Academy of Arts, Letters and Sciences in 2003, the INPI Nord Region Prize in 2008, the Matwin Prize in 2015, the Stefanick Prize in 2020 and the Slovak Academy of Sciences Prize in 2022. At national level, he has been a scientific delegate at the CNRS INEE (2009-2012), a member of the CS of the MNHN (2009-2012) and a member of the CNU 68 (1999-2019). Internationally, he was a member of the Board of the European Graduates School of Neurosciences (2011-2016) and of the Core Group of the European Sciences Foundation (2009-2012). He has been vice-chair since 2017 on the EIC Pathfinder Open panels.

 

Lisa Wagels | RWTH Aachen University
Neurocognition & perception, Social cognition/attention/affect
Aggression, Social interaction, fMRI hyperscanning

I am a junior professor for social and affective neuroscience at RWTH Aachen. My main interests are the neural correlates and dynamics of social interaction processes and emotions. I work with healthy controls as well as with patients and I am interested in the biosignals underlying normative and deviant behavior, especially aggression and provocation. To this end, I apply diverse techniques such as neurostimulation (tDCS and TMS), hormonal application, fMRI hyperscanning, skin conductance and EEG measures.
 

Devrim Kilinc | Université de Lille
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Alzheimer, Microfluidics, mechanotransduction, injury, MEA

I am a biomedical engineer with 20+ years of experience in cellular neurobiology, with a particular emphasis on the mechanical aspects of neuronal physiology, from axonal growth and transport to axonal traumatic injury and synaptic (dys)function. Over the years, I have developed various microfluidic neuron culture devices and complexed them with other techniques to address diverse scientific questions. Recently, I am focused on integrating microfluidic neuron culture and co-culture devices to commercial microelectrode arrays (59, 252, or 4096 electrodes) to assess synaptic connectivity and network-level plasticity, while enabling isolated drug treatments and gene expression modulation. I authored 33 papers and 2 patent applications (1 awarded), (co-)supervised 5 PhD (2 ongoing) and 5 postdocs. I secured regional, national and international funding, including a competitive MSCA Fellowship, Sanofi iAwards Europe, Fond. Vaincre Alzheimer and Alzheimer’s Association (USA). I acts as reviewer for the EC Commission’s FET-Open and EIC-Pathfinder programs, among others.

I would be happy to collaborate with neuroscientists from a broad spectrum to complement projects (including PhD projects) with in vitro approaches, using live-cell fluorescent microscopy and MEA recordings in particular.
Publications

 

Marlies Gijs | Maastricht University
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Alzheimer, Tear fluid, ocular biomarkers

Marlies Gijs, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University Eye Clinic Maastricht, holds a master in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from the University of Antwerp (Belgium) and received a doctorate in 2015 in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences from the University of Liège (Belgium). Her postdoctoral research at the University Eye Clinic Maastricht included the development of a new drug delivery device for the eye. In 2019, she became assistant professor Molecular Ophthalmology. Her research focuses on the fundamental and translational properties of tear fluid and the ocular surface. 

As assistant professor, she developed an unique and innovative research line on tear biomarkers for neurological diseases. This pioneering work aims to uncover novel diagnostic tools that can aid in the early and non-invasive detection of these conditions. To date, our findings on tear biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease have been published, demonstrating the potential of this approach. These initial results have generated significant interest within the scientific community and highlight the promise of tear fluid analysis in neurology.

Publications

 

Renzo Riemens | Maastricht University
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Alzheimer, Induced pluripotent stem cells

I am an Assistant Professor in the Neuroepigenetics group and the Expert Group Stem Cells (ExSCell) at Maastricht University. My research focusses on neuroepigenomics in Alzheimer’s disease through the implementation of both targeted (single cell) and epigenome-wide approaches, as well as on the application of stem cell-based model systems.

Publications

 

Daniel van den Hove | Maastricht University
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Alzheimer, Stress, anxiety disorders, depression

During my PhD at Maastricht University, my main interest was directed towards the biological mechanisms that may explain the increased prevalence of affective disorders in prenatally stressed subjects. As a post-doc and assistant professor, as a collaboration between the various divisions within MHeNs and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University of Würzburg in Germany, I moved towards investigating the role of gene x environment (GxE) interactions, and their underlying epigenetic mechanisms, in the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders like depression, panic disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. Presently, I am head of the Section Fundamental Neuroscience within the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology. Furthermore, as a professor in Neuroepigenetics, I am heading the Neuroepigenetics group within division 3 of MHeNs, addressing the role of epigenetic processes in mental health and disease (in a lifelong perspective).

Publications

 

Koen Schruers | Maastricht University
Neuropsychiatry, anxiety/fear/panic, OCD, PTSD and depression.

Psychiatrist, Professor of Affective Neuroscience, focus on anxiety/fear/panic, OCD, PTSD and depression.  Methods: experimental models of psychopathology, neuroimaging and neurostimulation.

 

Jacco Briedé | Maastricht University
Neurodegeneration/Aging, miRNA's, exosomes

Jacco Briedé is an assistant professor at the department of Translational Genomics at Maastricht University. He studied chemistry at the University Utrecht. In 2001 he received his Ph.D.  degree for the thesis "Regulation of thrombin formation at the surfaces of adherent platelets". After a postdoctoral fellowship, he was appointed as assistant professor at the department of health risk analysis and toxicology, followed by an appointment at the department of toxicogenomics. His main research subjects concern the applicability of electron spin resonance (ESR or EPR) spectrometry in the study of free radical formation and their involvement in environmental health risk assessment and molecular toxicology. Secondly he combines toxicology with genomics approaches in order to obtain more accurate understanding of toxicological processes and related disease mechanisms in e.g. cancer and neurodegenerative diseases in order to maintain, restore or improve normal function. Jacco Briedé is both a staff member of the research institute for oncology and reproduction (GROW) and for mental health and neuroscience (MHeNs) and has published about 80 scientific articles.

Publications

 

Irene Neuner | RWTH Aachen University
Neuropsychiatry, Transdiagnostic approach, smart watch approach for momentary assessment

Vice Chair and Vice Director of the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Germany

Group Leader Multimodal Imaging in Clinical Neuroscience, INM4, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany

 

André Mouraux | Université catholique de Louvain
Neurocognition & perception, nociception, pain, haptics, somatosensory, touch

I head a research group exploring the physiology and pathophysiology of the human thermonociceptive system. Using scalp and intracerebral electroencephalography (EEG) combined with methods to selectively activate specific classes of nociceptive afferents (temperature-controlled infrared laser stimulation, mechanical pinprick stimulation, electric stimulation) and neuromodulation techniques (transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation), our group explores the neural processes underlying the perception of pain, the plastic changes in nociceptive pathways that occur after inflammation, injury or sustained nociceptive input, and their involvement in the development of chronic pain. Several of these approaches are also translated into tools for pharmacological development and clinical diagnosis (http://www.nocions.org).

Publications

 

Ali Jahanshahi | Maastricht University
Neurology, Parkinson's disease, Deep Brain Stimulation

Ali Jahanshahi is an associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at MUMC+, where he leads the fundamental neuromodulation research group. His research aims to understand the neurobiological mechanisms behind the effects and side effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) with the goal of improving DBS therapy. Moreover, he aims to develop novel neuromodulation approaches as alternatives to standard DBS.

 

Ehsan Pishva | Maastricht University
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Alzheimer, Systems Biology

Ehsan Pishva, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology at Maastricht University. His research focuses on generating and integrating large-scale 'omics data from well-characterized cohorts with extensive clinical and neuropathological data to address key questions in neurodegenerative disorders. Specifically, his work aims to (a) elucidate the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), (b) uncover the molecular drivers of disease heterogeneity, and (c) enable early disease detection and risk assessment.

Publications

 

Jean-Marc Taymans | Université de Lille
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Parkinson, LRRK2

Jean-Marc Taymans is a bioengineer from the KU Leuven (Belgium). After working as a vaccine process engineer at SmithKline-Beecham Biologicals, he began his doctoral research via the Free University of Amsterdam in the research labs of Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development. In 2004, Dr. Taymans joined KU Leuven to study the molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) genes. After a Fulbright scholarship at the National Institutes of Health, he joined the UMR-S 1172 research center in Lille (France), a mixed Inserm – Université de Lille – Lille University Hospital center, to further study cell signaling processes in PD while integrating clinical translation of experimental findings from patient biosamples. With a strong focus on LRRK2, Dr. Taymans’s research uses a multidisciplinary approach, from biochemical analysis and cellular models to validation in preclinical models, and has produced more than 50 publications.

 

Michael Siniatchkin| RWTH Aachen University
Neurocognition & perception, Social cognition/attention/affect, digital mental health

1996 - 2003 - Postdoc Universities of Kiel and Germany, neurobiological studies on headaches in children and adolescents
2004 - 2010 - Junior-Professor at the University of Kiel, EEG-fMRI studies in pediatric epilepsy, head of the neurophysiological Lab, studies on non-invasive brain stimulation
2011 - 2014 - Senior physician and duputy director in Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Universities of Marburg and Frankfurt, studies on non-invasive brain stimulation as well as neuroimaging in social neuroscience of child psychiatric disorders ADHD and autism
2014 - 2018 - Director of the Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Kiel, studies on brain stimulation and neuroimaging in child psychiatry and neurology, here ADHD, autism and epilepsy, first projects on digital health in children and families
2019 - 2023 - Director of the Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Bielefeld, Coordinator of the EU Horison project STIPED (Stimulation in Pediatrics), studies on brain stimulation and neuroimaging in ADHD and autism in children and adolescents, development of the network analysis (time resolve hierarchical connectivity)
From 2023 - Director of the Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, RWTH Aachen University, topics: non-invasive brain stimulation in children, digital mental health, clinical studies, first of all home-based treatment strategies, brain neuroimaging with EEG, MRI

 

Sarah Hescham | Maastricht University
Neurodegeneration/Aging, Parkinson, Nanomedicine

Over the past years, I have established an independent research line with an assembly of researchers and expertise on behavioral, electrophysiological, and molecular biology techniques in deep brain stimulation as well as nano-neuromodulation approaches. In particular, I intend to advance the invasiveness, selectivity and sensitivity of current neuromodulation paradigms by working at the interface of neuroscience, materials science, and electronics.

 

Paul Wieringa | Maastricht University
Neurology, Neural engineering, biofabrication, PNS repair, Biofabrication, neural engineering

Since 2018, Paul Wieringa has been an Assistant Professor at the MERLN Institute for Technology-inspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University (MU), develoing complex 3D in vitro models for investigations into the functional relationships between peripheral neural tissue and other cell types. Formally trained as an Electromechanical Engineer (UBC, Vancouver, Canada), he started in the development of regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces (UT, The Netherlands), where he novel biofabrication methods to create 3D microenvironments that control nerve growth. He then shifted towards the development of in vitro models. His current activities focus on the implementation of genetically modified iPSC-derived neurons within tailored and organized multicellular 3D environments to emulate various nerve-tissue interactions, including gut, pancreas, immune, skin, and reproductive tissues (endometrium, fallopian tubes, endometriosis). Through an ERC Starting Grant, he has also been able to acquire an automated multiphoton microscope to better interrogate cell growth and function within these 3D environments.

Publications

 

Liesbet Goossens | Maastricht University
Neuropsychiatry, OCD, anxiety, fear conditioning

Liesbet Goossens' research focuses on uncovering the neural underpinnings of affective functioning, particularly as they relate to mood and anxiety disorders. Her work investigates how disruptions in brain networks contribute to the symptoms of affective disorders by leveraging experimental behavioral paradigms, advanced neuroimaging techniques, and neuromodulation strategies.
Her research seeks to not only elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying aberrant affect but also refine therapeutic interventions by identifying critical working ingredients and understanding the impact on brain-behavior relationships. Through this, she hopes to advance personalized treatment approaches tailored to individual neural dysfunctions.
Liesbet Goossens’ academic journey began at KU Leuven, where she earned a degree in Biomedical Sciences, building a foundation in the biological and medical aspects of human health. She later pursued a Master’s in Affective Neuroscience at Maastricht University, refining her focus on the neural mechanisms of emotion and mood regulation. She earned her PhD at Maastricht University, further advancing her expertise in the field of affective neuroscience.

Publications