Sam Verschooren

Sam Verschooren is a Research Fellow at Ghent University's Department of Neurology, affiliated with the Research Group Mind-Body-Emotion. He holds visiting research positions at Humboldt University (Berlin) and the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (Leipzig). His work focuses on attention balance, intentional body control, and mind wandering. Key fellowships include the FWO Postdoctoral Fellowship and BAEF Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Education & Positions:

• 2023–present: Visiting Researcher, Social Intelligence Lab (Humboldt University)
• 2021–2022: BAEF Postdoctoral Fellow, Duke University
• 2020–present: FWO Postdoctoral Fellow, Ghent University
• 2016–2020: PhD in Cognitive & Affective Psychophysiology (Ghent University)
• 2015: Internship, Social Brain Lab (Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience)
• 2012–2016: MSc Theoretical and Experimental Psychology (Ghent University)
• 2009–2014: MA Philosophy (University of Antwerp/Ghent University)

Research Focus: Investigates the interplay between external/internal attention, intentional control of bodily states, and cognitive processes like working memory. Uses psychophysiological methods to explore how these mechanisms relate to mental health and cognitive performance.

Awards:

• FWO Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020–present)
• BAEF Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021–2022)

Current Affiliation: Based at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany.