Janina Hesse

Janina Hesse serves as Junior Professor at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and leads the Computational Resilience Research group at the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) in Mainz. Her interdisciplinary work bridges mathematical modeling, machine learning, and clinical medicine to investigate resilience mechanisms across biological scales.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Computational Neurosciences/Theoretical Biology (2011-2017), Humboldt-University Berlin
• Diploma in Physics & Cognitive Sciences, École Normale Supérieure Paris (2007-2011)
• Master of Science in Theoretical Physics of Complex Systems, University Pierre-et-Marie-Curie Paris (2007-2011)
• Bachelor of Science in Physics, École Normale Supérieure Paris (2007-2011)
• Vordiplom in Mathematics, Goethe University Frankfurt (2005-2007)

Her research centers on computational resilience dynamics, employing dynamical systems theory to model phase transitions in neuronal networks, circadian impacts on cancer therapy, and stress-response mechanisms. The group develops integrative frameworks combining machine learning with experimental data to identify resilience biomarkers and optimize treatment timing, particularly in oncology and neuroscience contexts.

Publication trends (2014-2023) reveal a consistent focus on nonlinear dynamics in biological systems, with increasing clinical translation. Early work established theoretical foundations in neural criticality and bifurcation theory, while recent studies apply these principles to colorectal cancer chronotherapy and temperature-dependent neural encoding, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary collaboration with medical institutions.

Key recognitions include:

• Portuguese Pneumology Society First Prize (2020)
• Berlin Neuroscience Forum Poster Prize (2012)
• Michael-Loulakis Study Achievement Award (2007)

She mentors four doctoral students and a Master's candidate in her LIR research group, with funding primarily from the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation. Her advisory scope extends to co-initiating ScientistsForFuture (2019) and serving as neuroscience specialist for Germany's Federal Agency for Civic Education. Current collaborations span MSH Hamburg, Charité Berlin, and Oldenburg's Helmholtz Institute.

The Computational Resilience Research group operates through six core projects examining neuronal phase transitions, mouse behavioral resilience, cancer gene expression dynamics, and seasonal stress variations. This work integrates theoretical modeling with experimental validation through close partnerships with clinical and basic science teams at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, emphasizing translational applications for stress-related disorders.