Dominik R. Bach

Prof. Dr. Dr. Dominik R. Bach is a full Professor and Principal Investigator at the Hertz Chair for Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience (CAIAN) at the University of Bonn, and also leads the Threat Avoidance group at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London. He is based in Bonn, Germany, and his research is part of the Transdisciplinary Research Area 'Life and Health' at the University of Bonn.

His research focuses on cognitive-computational neuroscience, particularly the computing architecture of the human mind and brain in the context of threat forecasting and avoidance. He employs serious games, virtual reality (VR), and tightly controlled associative learning setups to study how humans avoid real threats, and how this system malfunctions in conditions like anxiety disorders and PTSD. His theoretical models are inspired by those used in artificial agents.

His recent publications, in journals like Nature Communications and Biological Psychiatry, show a strong trend in using neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG) and intervention techniques (e.g., transcranial stimulation) to understand and modulate aversive memory and decision-making under threat. His work bridges computational theory, experimental psychology, and clinical applications.

• Email: d.bach@uni-bonn.de
• ORCID: 0000-0003-3717-2036
• Lab Website: bachlab.org
• Twitter: @bachlab_cog

He is actively recruiting PhD students and postdocs, indicating a vibrant and expanding research team. He has developed open-source tools like the CogLearn Toolkit for Unity for VR-based avoidance learning, demonstrating a commitment to open science.