After spending 6 semesters studying neurobiology and analysing neural correlates of basic motor and cognitive functions, I realized the importance of a better understanding of the neural processes underlying human behavior and its dysfunctions. Therefore, in parallel to neurobiology, I applied for the Master Program "Elite Study of Neuro-Cognitive Psychology" at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University and was very happy to be accepted into the first cohort of students.

After one year of intensive courses in cognitive and clinical psychology I have been given a chance to write my bachelor thesis at the Department of Psychiatry under the supervision of Prof. Dr. R. Engel. I investigated the suppression of unwanted memories in post-traumatic stress disorder using behavioural and brain imaging methods, which additionally strengthened my interest in clinical research.

I received my doctoral degree from the Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University. My dissertation focused on motor resonance and goal attribution during action observation of biological and artificial agents. After finishing my PhD I have been offered a postdoc position at the University Hospital of Psychiatry in Bern, which I gladly accepted, because it allowed me to work with clinical patients. I am currently investigating social behaviour in individuals suffering from depression. To this end, I perform experiments using fMRI to detect changes in neural activity related to competition avoidance in depressed individuals vs. healthy controls. Further, I am interested in testing the effect of cognitive training of mental health and social behaviour. In a new study which has been brought to life based on the cooperation with various scientific departments, I aim to test the effect of multimodal hearing therapy offed by KOJ-institute on mental health, life satisfaction and relationships with family and friends in hearing-impaired individuals.

Excellent research and writing skills

In my academic career, I am used to searching medical literature, analyzing, interpreting and presenting research data, editing and publishing scientificarticles, writing proposals for external funds and applications for ethical approval. My background in science and medicine provided me with an understanding of the medical concepts and terminology, knowledge of relevant guidelines for specific documents and a strong background in various statistical concepts that are commonly used in clinical research in statistics.

Ability to work under time pressure and multi-task

In the process of managing two degree programs (neuro-cognitive psychology and biology) and simultaneously working as a student assistant at the Max-Planck-Institute, I developed the ability to pay attention to details and meet deadlines under time pressure.

Adapting to new research fields and learning quickly

I have got an in-depth understanding of my field and I know where to get help for something outside my field. During my master thesis at BMW and my work at Intero-consulting, I have learned to successfully apply the knowledge of experimental and statistical methods to the needs of industrial companies and handle new tasks with minimal assistance.

Project management and organizational skills

While working on my PhD in Munich and Zurich, I developed my projects on my own initiative and received the scholarship from the University of Bavaria for conducting my research. My projects at IMS Consulting group offered me an opportunity to develop management and organizational skills in addition to providing me with a basic understanding of the pharmaceutical industry.

Communication and interpersonal skills

Participating in national and international working teams and research programs has helped me to become an adaptable and flexible person. I had the possibility to work in different research groups and collaborate with people from a broad range of specialties such as computer scientists, engineers, robot designers, physicists, psychologists, anthropologists and physicians and often served as a middleman managing the conversation and consensus between them.

Ability to express and present information clearly

Through frequently delivering academic work presentations at international conferences, and giving lectures and conference talks, I have fine-tuned my communication skills and developed the ability to explain complex science in a simple and compelling manner.