Yannick Becker

Dr. Yannick Becker is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS), based in Leipzig, Germany. He leads the Fyssen Fellowship project investigating brain connectivity evolution in chimpanzees and collaborates on the cross-institutional 'Evolution of Brain Connectivity' project. His work focuses on comparative, evolutionary, and developmental neuroscience, particularly neuroanatomical lateralization and its links to gestural communication in primates.

• Education:
  • PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience (2018-2022), CNRS & Aix-Marseille University (France)
  • MRes in Neuroscience (2016-2018), Aix-Marseille University
  • BSc in Sciences and Humanities (2013-2016), Aix-Marseille University & Imperial College London
• Grants:
  • Fyssen Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022-2024)
  • Académie d'Excellence travel grants (2013, 2020)
• Collaborations: Angela D. Friederici (MPI CBS), Alfred Anwander (MRI optimization), Catherine Crockford (vocal communication), Roman Wittig (tool-use).

His research integrates MRI data from chimpanzees with behavioral observations to trace evolutionary pathways of language. Key findings include links between neonatal brain asymmetry and later gestural lateralization in primates.

Awards:

• 2023 PhD Prize, Aix-Marseille University
• 2022 James R. Hurford Award (Evolution of Language Society)

Lab affiliations: Neuropsychology Department (MPI CBS), collaborating with Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.