Michèle Wessa

Michèle Wessa serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz's University Medical Center, while leading research groups at both the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) and German Resilience Center (DRZ) Mainz since 2020 and 2018 respectively.

Her academic credentials include a Dipl.-Psych. from Humboldt University Berlin (2000), Dr. sc. hum. in Neuropsychology from Heidelberg University (2004), and Habilitation in Clinical Psychology (2010). She completed postgraduate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training (2000-2004) and holds medical licensure.

Professor Wessa's research centers on neurobiological and behavioral resilience mechanisms, investigating emotional regulation under stress, reward processing, and cognitive interpretation through biopsychological methods. Her 2021 publications reveal strong emphasis on pandemic mental health impacts, neural stress controllability correlates, and physical fitness-resilience relationships using fMRI, longitudinal monitoring, and intervention protocols.

Her scientific recognition includes DFG Emmy Noether funding (2008-present), Lilly Travel Fellowship (2007), and dual scholarships from Studientstiftung des Deutschen Volkes.

• DFG Emmy Noether research group (We3638/3-1)
• Lilly Travel Fellowship for 7th International Conference on Bipolar Disorder
• Ph.D. Scholarship from Studientstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (2000-2003)
• Study Scholarship from Studientstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (1997-1999)

She supervises PhD students Annika Edelmann and Jana Meier while directing major funded projects including ResOn online training and BooSTERIT teacher resilience program, supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation and DFG grants. Her Wessa research group develops evidence-based interventions using blended face-to-face and digital formats to enhance stress resilience across populations.