Markus Ploner

Prof. Markus Ploner is a Professor of Human Pain Research at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the TUM School of Medicine and Health and the Department of Neurology. He serves as Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Pain Medicine at TUM Klinikum Rechts der Isar. His research focuses on understanding how the brain processes pain, particularly in chronic pain patients, using EEG, non-invasive brain stimulation, and open science methodologies. He advocates for patient involvement in research and emphasizes reproducible science.

Ploner's academic journey includes studies in Cologne and Vienna, a neurology residency at University Hospital Düsseldorf, and a Feodor Lynen Fellowship at the University of Oxford (2007–2008). He joined TUM in 2007 and was appointed Professor in 2014. He holds a Heisenberg Professorship (2014–2019) and has received awards such as the Richard Jung Prize (2018) and Global Peer Review Award (2019).

His research bridges clinical neuroscience and neurotechnology, exploring brain oscillations, pain biomarkers, and translational applications. Key contributions include EEG-based pipelines for biomarker discovery, neurofeedback studies, and investigations into gamma oscillations' role in pain perception. His work often emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, as seen in initiatives like ENIGMA-Chronic Pain.

• Education:
  • Medical Studies: University of Cologne and University of Vienna
  • Doctorate: University of Cologne
  • Neurology Residency: University Hospital Düsseldorf
• Awards:
  • Global Peer Review Award (2019)
  • Richard Jung Prize (2018)
  • Heisenberg Professorship (2014–2019)
  • Award for Pain Research (2011)
  • EFIC Grünenthal Grant (2007)

His publications highlight advancements in EEG methodologies, biomarker discovery, and neurotechnology ethics. He emphasizes patient-centric approaches in neurotechnology development and has contributed to global efforts to standardize pain neuroimaging research.