Sven Bestmann

Sven Bestmann is a Professor in Movement Neuroscience at University College London (UCL), holding a Chair since 2016. His work spans the integration of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) with fMRI and Magnetoencephalography (MEG), focusing on motor control, action selection, and stroke research. He pioneered computational neurostimulation to mechanistically predict NIBS outcomes and co-developed OP-MEG, a wearable neuroimaging technology.

• Education: PhD in Neurological Studies (2004) under Profs Jens Frahm and John Rothwell, joint UCL-University of Goettingen program

Research Highlights:

• Combining NIBS with fMRI to target cortico-subcortical networks in humans
• Advancing laminar-resolved MEG for precise neurophysiological measurements
• Formulating mechanistic models of decision-making and therapeutic NIBS

Scientific Awards:

• ERC Starter Grant (2011)
• BBSRC David Phillips Research Fellowship (2008)

Leadership & Advocacy:

• Vice-Chair of the Young Academy of Europe (2015–2017)
• Co-founder of the BrainBox Initiative, promoting innovation in brain stimulation

Technological Impact: His OP-MEG work enables neuroimaging during natural movement, transforming human neurophysiology research.