Kamilla Miskowiak

Kamilla Miskowiak is a Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry at the University of Copenhagen, holding dual appointments in the Department of Psychology and the Department of Clinical Medicine within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. She serves as head of the Neurocognition and Emotion in Affective Disorders (NEAD) Centre at the Mental Health Services, Capital Region of Denmark, and the Department of Psychology. Her work bridges clinical practice and academic research in neuropsychiatry with active office hours on Tuesdays from 12:00-13:00.

Education

• DPhil in Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Oxford (2005-2008)
• Master of Science in Psychology, University of Copenhagen (2004-2006) - awarded gold medal for dissertation
• Master of Science (Distinction) in Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford (2003-2004)

Research Focus

Professor Miskowiak's primary research investigates cognitive and neuroimaging biomarkers for depression and bipolar disorder, with emphasis on developing and clinically testing new interventions for cognitive impairment. Her work delineates neurocognitive mechanisms underlying both established and novel biological and psychological treatments through multidisciplinary approaches integrating neuroimaging, cognitive testing, and clinical trials.

Her research program has strong national and international collaborations with the Neurobiological Research Unit at Rigshospitalet, Harvard University, University of Oxford, and the Max Planck Institute, reflecting the global significance of her work in cognitive neuropsychiatry.

Publication Trends

Professor Miskowiak's recent publications (2025) demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory focused on cognitive aspects of mood disorders. Her work spans biomarker identification (including cerebrospinal fluid proteins and brain structural correlates), novel assessment methods (like virtual reality cognition testing), and understanding factors influencing prognosis in mood disorders through longitudinal twin studies. A consistent theme is the relationship between cognitive function and clinical outcomes in bipolar disorder.

Scientific Recognition

• Gold medal for dissertation at University of Copenhagen for "Neuropsychological Research on Depression - Towards a Synergy between Cognitive and Neurobiological Theories and Methods"

Academic Supervision

Professor Miskowiak actively supervises Master's theses and PhD students within cognitive neuropsychiatry, with research focusing on cognitive impairment in mood disorders, biomarker identification, and cognitive intervention development. She teaches postgraduate courses in Cognitive Neuropsychiatry (seminar) and Clinical Neuropsychology, contributing significantly to advanced education in her field.

Research Leadership

As head of the NEAD Centre, Professor Miskowiak leads research with four strategic objectives: identifying neurocognitive biomarkers for depression and bipolar disorder, developing neurocognitive screening tools to reduce affective disorder risk, creating new treatments targeting cognitive impairment, and elucidating mechanisms of existing treatments. The Centre's work has significant clinical implications for improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for cognitive impairment in mood disorders.