معرفی
Prof. Esther Aarts is Principal Investigator at Radboud University's Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, where she holds the Chair in Nutritional Neuroscience. She leads the Food & Cognition research group, focusing on neural mechanisms of eating behavior and diet-brain interactions.
Education:
- PhD Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University
- MSc Neurobiology, Radboud University
- BSc Medical Biology, Radboud University
Her research examines how food consumption impacts brain functioning through gut microbiome and immune system pathways, particularly regarding dopamine-related functions like motivation and cognitive control. Studies utilize functional neuroimaging to explore peripheral-central biological links.
Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on gut-brain axis mechanisms in cognitive aging, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Research consistently bridges nutritional science with cognitive neuroimaging methodologies.
Awards:
- ERC Starting Grant for obesity research
- NWO-crossover project leadership for MOCIA
- AXA Research Fund Fellowship
- Niels Stensen Fellowship
Leads multiple projects including MOCIA (personalized cognitive aging prevention) and ERC-funded obesity research. Directs PhD candidates and postdocs in the Food & Cognition group.
