Yayouk Willems

Yayouk Willems is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Research Group Biosocial – Biology, Social Disparities, and Development, part of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the Netherlands Twin Register (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and has conducted postdoctoral research at institutions like the Rathenau Instituut and MPIB. Her work focuses on gene-environment interplay, epigenetics, self-control, and socioeconomic disparities, particularly in childhood development and aging. Willems was awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship (2024) to investigate the effects of cash transfer programs on children’s epigenetic health profiles in collaboration with Laurel Raffington.

• Education:
  • 2022–Present: Postdoctoral Researcher, MPRG Biosocial, MPI for Human Development
  • 2020–2022: Researcher, Rathenau Instituut, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts & Sciences
  • 2015–2020: PhD in Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • 2013–2015: Research MSc in Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • 2009–2012: BSc in Liberal Arts & Sciences, Amsterdam University College

Her research integrates epigenetic analyses with social policy evaluation, exploring how socioeconomic conditions and racial inequities influence biological aging and mental health. Current projects include the “Baby’s First Years Study”, a randomized controlled trial assessing cash transfers’ effects on child health. Willems emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address biosocial disparities.

Scientific Awards:

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship (2024)

Advising & Grants: Collaborates with Laurel Raffington on epigenetic studies and leads projects funded by the European Commission. Focuses on translational research bridging epigenetics and public health policy.

Labs & Teams: Core member of the Max Planck Research Group Biosocial, where she designs and executes large-scale epigenetic and developmental studies.