Jan Haaker

Jan Haaker is a Principal Investigator at the Institute of Systems Neuroscience, part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). His research focuses on neuropharmacological mechanisms underlying fear learning, social learning processes, and the neural basis of observational threat responses. Key areas include the effects of substances like nicotine and opioids on fear-related behaviors, as well as the interplay between social observation and threat generalization.

Dr. Haaker has received notable awards, including the 2013 Best Paper Award from UKE's Medical School and the 2012 Pharmaceutical Innovation Award from the Niemann Society. His work bridges translational neuroscience and clinical applications, with studies published in high-impact journals. He is an active member of organizations such as the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society and the 'Junge Akademie.'

His research employs advanced neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fMRI, spinal cord segmentation) and pharmacological interventions to dissect neural circuits involved in fear extinction, observational learning, and pain modulation. Current projects address the societal impact of research funding models and the ethical implications of neuropharmacological research.