Judith Homberg

Prof. Judith Homberg is a Professor in the Department of Translational Neuroscience at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center. Her research focuses on the interplay between brain development, behavioral traits, and environmental factors influencing emotional responses and cognitive outcomes. She leads the Behavioural Neurogenetics research group, investigating genetic (e.g., serotonin pathways) and environmental influences on stress-related disorders, addiction, and cognitive resilience.

Her expertise includes translational animal models (e.g., serotonin transporter knockout rats), combining behavioral assays with neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and molecular genetics. Key projects include studying glutamate’s role in antidepressant effects, neurodevelopmental comorbidities, and GHB addiction mechanisms. She has secured grants from EU programs (e.g., H2020 CANDY), NWO, and industry collaborations.

• Research Themes: Developmental plasticity, environmental sensitivity, translational neuroscience
• Key Collaborations: Jan Buitelaar (neurodevelopment), Dirk Schubert (neurobiology), Piotr Popik (pharmacology)

Teaching responsibilities include courses on animal models for psychiatric disorders, neurobiology of stress, and research methodologies at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Medical Biology and Neuroscience programs.