Nadine Bernhardt

Nadine Bernhardt is a Research Fellow and Research Group Leader at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden. She holds a Diploma in Biochemistry from Universität Leipzig (2004) and a PhD in Neurosciences from Uppsala University (2010). Her academic career includes postdoctoral fellowships at Yale University and TU Dresden, with roles such as Visiting Scientist at the Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research (2006). Currently, she leads a research group focusing on the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, preclinical testing of neuroprosthetics, and animal models for conditions like schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

Her research interests span neuroimaging, neuronal circuits, neurotransmitter systems, and treatment strategies for psychiatric disorders. Notable contributions include studies on dopamine transporter overexpression models, non-invasive brain stimulation, and the prevention of schizophrenia deficits via adolescent frontal cortex stimulation in rats. Bernhardt has been recognized with awards including a DAAD Scholarship (2003) and a Swedish Research Council Postdoc Fellowship (2010–2011).

• Education:
  • 2004: Diploma in Biochemistry, Universität Leipzig
  • 2010: PhD in Neurosciences, Uppsala University
  • 2019–present: Habilitation in Clinical Neuroscience, TU Dresden

Her work bridges basic neuroscience and clinical applications, with recent studies exploring neurocognitive dysfunctions in methamphetamine dependence and the role of metabolic states in anorexia nervosa. She serves as an Academic Editor for PLOS ONE since 2018, contributing to peer-review processes in behavioral neuroscience and translational psychiatry.

Bernhardt’s publications (h-index 11) highlight her expertise in preclinical models, neurobiological mechanisms, and innovative neuroprosthetic technologies. Her lab’s focus on translational research aims to develop biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for psychiatric disorders, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches.