Dr. Pascal Syren is a **Researcher** and **Resident** at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), affiliated with the **Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology** and the **Heidelberg Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias**. His academic role includes contributing to the **Group of Molecular and Translational Cardiac Electrophysiology**, focusing on epigenetic and molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. He holds a PhD from Heidelberg University (2021) on histone deacetylases' influence in cardiac electrophysiology. **Research Interests**: Cardiac electrophysiology, epigenetic regulation (HDACs), ventricular and atrial arrhythmias, echocardiography, and translational cardiology. His work spans basic science to clinical applications, emphasizing ion channel remodeling and therapeutic targets for heart rhythm disorders. **Awards**: Recipient of the **Ernst & Berta Grimmke Foundation Research Grant (2023–2024)** and **Otto-Hess Scholarship (2017–2018)** from the German Cardiac Society. His research bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical cardiology, with contributions to understanding HDAC2's role in action potential dynamics. **Publications**: Over 8 peer-reviewed articles (2016–2025) in journals like *Basic Research in Cardiology* and *Cells*, focusing on histone deacetylase pathways, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrhythmia models. Recent work explores neonatal cardiomyocyte electrophysiology and TREK-1 potassium channels in heart failure. **Affiliations**: Active member of the **German Cardiac Society (DGK)** and **European Society of Cardiology (ESC)**, contributing to interdisciplinary cardiac arrhythmia research at Heidelberg's medical faculty.
Dr. Tobias Hauser is a Professor of Computational Psychiatry at the University of Tübingen, Germany, and a Group Leader at the Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research. His research spans clinical neuroscience, developmental psychiatry, and computational modeling, focusing on the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders like OCD and ADHD. MSc in Psychology (2010), University of Zurich PhD in Psychology (2014), University of Zurich Hauser's work employs a translational approach, integrating clinical, pharmacological, and basic neuroscience to characterize neural network deficiencies in mental health. His developmental perspective investigates how psychiatric symptoms emerge through deviations from canonical brain development trajectories. Recent publications highlight his focus on dopaminergic midbrain activity, frontostriatal myelination, and computational mechanisms of decision-making. These studies utilize techniques like fMRI, EEG, and computational modeling to explore compulsivity, impulsivity, and developmental neurocognitive processes. Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (Wellcome Trust & Royal Society) Research Fellowship (Jacobs Foundation) Kramer-Pollnow Award for ADHD research Hauser leads the Developmental Computational Psychiatry Group and co-founded the Brain Explorer app, a citizen science project investigating brain development and mental health. He actively seeks PostDocs and PhD students for collaborative research in computational psychiatry and cognitive neuroscience.
Andrea Reiter is a Professor at the Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, holding the W1-Professur für Lernprozesse in der Entwicklungspsychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Prävention. Her research focuses on decision-making processes in clinical populations, lifespan changes, and the impact of stress/social influences. She employs computational modeling combined with fMRI and EEG. Education: Dr. rer. nat. (summa cum laude, 2016) from University of Leipzig, Master of Advanced Studies in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (University of Bern), and Diploma in Psychology from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2012). She also studied Literature and Educational Sciences alongside Psychology. Professional Experience includes a research position at TU Dresden (since 2015), guest research at Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (since 2015), and PhD work at IMPRS NeuroCom (2012-2015). She has clinical experience as a Psychologist at Kreiskrankenhaus Tauberbischofsheim. Research Awards: Austrian Academy Grant (2016), Poster Award (2014), DZ Banken Career Prize (2013), and IMPRS PhD stipend (2012-2015). Her publications (2013-2016) emphasize neuroimaging studies on decision-making deficits in disorders like binge eating and alcohol dependence, with methodological strengths in computational modeling and EEG/fMRI integration.
Prof. Waldemar Kolanus leads the Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology department at the University of Bonn's Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) . His research bridges immunoregulation , stem cell dynamics , and metabolic stress responses in immune cells. Unit 2 member at LIMES Principal investigator in SFB 704 and ImmunoSensation Cluster Leads a multidisciplinary lab with postdocs, PhD students, and technical staff His work focuses on intracellular signaling pathways connecting immune activation to tissue homeostasis, particularly through: Cytohesin proteins in integrin-mediated adhesion and migration TRIM71 in stem cell regulation and congenital hydrocephalus High-salt environments affecting macrophage function Publication trends show expertise in immune cell migration , genetic models , and chemical inhibition , with frequent use of mice and zebrafish for in vivo studies. Key articles explore: TRIM71's dual role in auditory development and germ cell maintenance Cytohesin family's Golgi regulation and insulin signaling Ruxolitinib's off-target migration inhibition of dendritic cells Contact details: Address: LIMES Institute, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, Bonn Email: kolanus.sekretariat@uni-bonn.de Phone: +49 228 73-62788
Omer Bayraktar is a Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute , leading research in the Cellular Genomics Programme. His work focuses on decoding human brain cellular diversity using spatial transcriptomics , imaging , and functional screening to study neural complexity in health and disease. Bayraktar's educational background includes a PhD from HHMI under Chris Doe, investigating neural diversity development in Drosophila , followed by postdoctoral work at University of California, San Francisco and University of Cambridge as a Life Sciences Research Foundation Fellow. He developed a spatial transcriptomic pipeline during his postdoc to analyze astrocyte heterogeneity in the cerebral cortex. His research explores neural cell type mapping , glial-neuronal interactions , and cellular pathways in neurodevelopmental disorders . Recent publications emphasize 3D tissue mapping , multi-omic integration , and computational tools like Cell2fate and WebAtlas. His work bridges neurogenetics and computational biology to advance understanding of human tissue ecosystems. Bayraktar's lab collaborates with the Human Cell Atlas initiative and develops technologies such as automated histology pipelines and highly-multiplexed smFISH for molecular cell typing. His team also investigates glia-based therapies and astrocyte functional heterogeneity in neurodevelopmental contexts. Key scientific contributions include: Discovering astrocyte layer patterns independent of neuronal laminae Developing cell2location for spatial cell mapping Characterizing Drosophila neural stem cell models with human relevance Notable awards include the Life Sciences Research Foundation Fellowship during his postdoctoral training. His current group includes a PhD student , Senior Data Scientists , and Bioinformaticians .
Prof. Dr. Simon Schäfer leads the Schäfer Lab at the Technische Universität München , focusing on engineering advanced organoid systems to study human brain development, disease modeling, and repair mechanisms. His work bridges stem cell biology, gene editing, and bioengineering to develop personalized therapies for brain disorders. Stem Cell & Organoid Technology Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms Neurodegenerative Disease Models Gene Editing & Neuroimmune Interactions Translational Neuroscience Recent research emphasizes brain organoid development, microglia phenotypes, and neurodevelopmental timing anomalies in autism. His team’s work also explores zika virus interactions with glioblastoma stem cells and neuronal plasticity in psychiatric disorders. Scientific awards and funding include support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF), and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy). Collaborations span institutions like the TUM Center for Organoid Systems. Advises 6 students (2 PhD, 1 MSc, 3 associated) Labs include Schäfer Lab, COS@TranslaTUM Contact: simon.schafer@tum.de
Bertram Müller-Myhsok is a Research Professor and Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich, Germany. His research focuses on statistical genetics and transcriptomic data analysis in psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, and their treatment responses. He integrates machine learning with genetic and clinical data to develop predictive models and stratified treatment approaches. Professional activities include leadership roles in the International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry and collaborations with institutions like the Institut du Cerveau (Paris) and Bernhard Nocht Institute (Hamburg). His work spans genetic epidemiology, psychiatric genomics, and precision medicine, with over 400 publications in high-impact journals. Key research areas include identifying genetic risk factors for mental disorders, developing polygenic scores, and leveraging omics data to uncover disease mechanisms. He leads projects like Psych-STRATA, a Horizon Europe-funded initiative advancing personalized psychiatry through pharmacogenomics.
Prof. Dr. Peter Falkai is a Professor and Chair at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University of Munich. He leads regular members of the Munich Cluster for Neuroscience (MCN) and Graduate School of Neuroscience (GSN), with affiliations to the Medical Faculty and various research groups, including the Psychotherapy and Social Neuroscience Research Unit and Center for Neurostimulation (CNS LMU). Primary research focus: Molecular & Developmental Neuroscience Secondary research focus: Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Tertiary research focus: Cellular & Systems Neuroscience His research explores the neurobiological origins of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, utilizing functional imaging, gene expression analysis in human post-mortem tissue, and lifestyle interventions. He coordinates cross-diagnosis studies, including EU-FP7 PRONIA, and collaborates on neurostimulation, addiction medicine, and precision psychiatry. Prof. Falkai served as President of the German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Neurology (DGPPN) from 2010–2012 and on the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) Council of National Societies. He oversees clinical operations, including private wards, outpatient clinics, and specialized units for autism, bipolar disorders, and addiction medicine.
Prof. Dr. Silvia Schneider is a distinguished Professor of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at Ruhr University Bochum, where she serves as Director of the Research and Treatment Center for Mental Health (FBZ). She also coordinates the Bochum-Marburg site of the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG). Previously, she held professorial positions at the University of Basel, where she served as Dean of the Psychology Faculty. Her academic career spans over three decades with significant contributions to child and adolescent mental health research. Dr. Schneider earned her doctorate from Philipps-University Marburg in 1992 with highest honors (summa cum laude) for her dissertation on "Psychological Transmission of Panic Syndrome." She completed her habilitation at Technical University Braunschweig in 2002. Her academic qualifications include board certification as a Psychological Psychotherapist (1999) and specialized credentials in behavioral therapy for children and adolescents (1998). Dr. Schneider's research primarily focuses on the etiology, prevention, and treatment of emotional disorders in childhood and adolescence. Her work examines familial transmission of emotional disorders, clinical baby and infant research, and diagnosis of mental disorders across the lifespan. She has pioneered research on anxiety disorders, particularly separation anxiety, and has developed innovative treatment approaches including exposure-based therapies. Her current work increasingly integrates neurobiological perspectives with clinical interventions, examining brain-behavior relationships in anxiety disorders through neuroimaging studies. Her extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on child and adolescent mental health, with recent work expanding into digital interventions, virtual reality therapies, and large-scale multicenter studies examining anxiety disorders from both clinical and neurobiological perspectives. Her research bridges basic science with clinical application, maintaining a strong focus on evidence-based interventions for children and families. Visiting Professor at Anxiety and Depression Research Center, UCLA (2015-2016) Visiting Scholar at Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, University of Pennsylvania (2009-2010) Honorary Professorship at University of Surrey Roehampton (2003-2010) Swiss National Science Foundation Professorship (2003-2006) DFG Habilitation Scholarship (1998-2001) Cassianeum Educational Foundation Dissertation Prize (1994) Dr. Schneider has successfully secured substantial research funding from major German and international funding bodies including the German Research Foundation (DFG), German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and Swiss National Science Foundation. Her current projects include "The Role of Parents in Child Development in the Context of Immigration" (DFG), "Mobile Research Laboratory" (DFG), and "Improving Mental Health in Refugee Families" (BMBF). As Director of the FBZ, she leads a large interdisciplinary team conducting cutting-edge research while providing evidence-based clinical services. As Director of the Research and Treatment Center for Mental Health (FBZ) at Ruhr University Bochum, Dr. Schneider oversees a comprehensive research infrastructure supporting studies from basic developmental science to clinical interventions. The FBZ serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration across psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience, with particular strengths in anxiety disorders research, early intervention, and innovative treatment approaches including digital health solutions.
Prof. Helen Blank is a Professor leading the Multisensory Perception Group and the Prediction in Communication Lab at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Her work focuses on understanding how sensory information is integrated and predicted in contexts like speech perception and face recognition. She holds a Marie Curie Fellowship for her research on prior information's role in human communication. Fluent in German, English, and French, she contributes to experimental medicine and systems neuroscience. Her research spans predictive coding, neuroimaging, and clinical applications in Parkinson’s and developmental disorders. Education: Not explicitly stated in text, inferred as advanced degrees in neuroscience or related fields. Her research interests emphasize multisensory integration, predictive processing in speech and vision, and the neural bases of perception. Recent articles explore topics such as pupil responses to auditory surprise, face expectation hierarchies, and audio-visual speech processing. Awards include the Marie Curie Fellowship supporting her predictive communication work. She leads interdisciplinary teams within the Center for Experimental Medicine, advancing knowledge on perceptual mechanisms and their clinical implications.
Dr. Timur Alexander Yorgan is a prominent researcher at the Department of Osteology and Biomechanics at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). Holding a Dr. rer. nat. degree, he has established himself as a leading figure in bone biology with over 60 publications spanning from 2013 to 2025. His research is deeply integrated with key institutional research areas including the Hamburg Center of Neuroscience and immunology research networks at UKE. Dr. Yorgan's research focuses on skeletal development, bone remodeling, and genetic bone disorders, with particular emphasis on Wnt signaling pathways and their role in bone homeostasis. His work spans multiple approaches from molecular genetics to translational studies, investigating osteoblast and osteocyte biology, genetic mechanisms underlying disorders like osteogenesis imperfecta, and the effects of various mutations on skeletal integrity. Recent research has expanded into the gut-bone axis, mechanobiology of bone cells, and neuro-immune interactions affecting bone metabolism. Analysis of Dr. Yorgan's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research in bone biology. His work increasingly explores interdisciplinary connections between bone metabolism and other physiological systems, with growing emphasis on translational approaches for therapeutic interventions. The research demonstrates sophisticated use of mouse models and molecular techniques to unravel complex bone disorders and identify potential treatment targets. Dr. Yorgan appears to be actively involved in collaborative research across multiple institutions, as evidenced by his extensive publication record with numerous co-authors from various departments and institutions. His work is frequently published in high-impact journals including Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Nature Communications, and Bone Research. The Department of Osteology and Biomechanics at UKE, where Dr. Yorgan is based, is part of a vibrant research ecosystem that includes the Hamburg Center of Neuroscience and other key research networks focusing on immunology, oncology, and cardiovascular research. This collaborative environment enables interdisciplinary approaches to understanding skeletal disorders and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Michael Boutros is a Full Professor at Heidelberg University and Head of Division at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). He currently serves as Dean of the Medical Faculty at Heidelberg University (since 2023) and Director of the Marsilius Kolleg (since 2020). He has held leadership roles including Coordinator of the Functional and Structural Genomics Program at DKFZ (2014–2023) and Acting Scientific Director (2015–2016). His academic base is within the Medical Faculty, focusing on molecular oncology and functional genomics. PhD, Witten/Herdecke University (1993–1996) Postdoctoral Research, Harvard Medical School (1999–2003) MPA, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (1999–2001) Additional training: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, SUNY Stony Brook His research centers on Wnt signaling, functional genomics, and cancer pathways. He leads major research initiatives such as CRC 1324 on Wnt signaling and the ERC Synergy Grant DECODE. His work integrates high-throughput screening, CRISPR, and systems biology to dissect signaling networks in cancer and development. He has pioneered genome-wide RNAi and CRISPR screens to identify novel regulators of Wnt signaling across models. The 15 most recent articles reflect a strong focus on Wnt pathway regulation using functional genomics in both Drosophila and mammalian systems. Themes include high-throughput screening, CRISPR-based validation, cross-species conservation, and therapeutic targeting. Keywords span Cancer Biology, Systems Biology, and Signal Transduction, with subfields like RNAi, ubiquitination, stem cell regulation, and machine learning in image analysis. Michael Boutros has received numerous scientific honors: Elected member, Leopoldina National Academy of Sciences (2022) Elected member, Heidelberg Academy of Sciences (2022) EMBO Member (2013) ERC Advanced Grant (2012) Johann-Georg Zimmermann Research Award (2007) EMBO Young Investigator (2005) Member, 'Die Junge Akademie' (2003) He has been a recipient of the Emmy-Noether Program, McCloy Fellowship, Boehringer Ingelheim PhD Fellowship, Studienstiftung Fellowship, and Fulbright Fellowship. As a mentor and research leader, he has supervised numerous early-career scientists and coordinated large collaborative grants including the FP7 'CancerPathways' project. He currently serves as Speaker of the Research and Strategy Commission at Heidelberg University and Managing Director of the Health and Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim. He leads the CRC 1324 on Wnt signaling and is Coordinating PI of the ERC Synergy Grant DECODE. He is also Spokesperson of DFG Research Group 1036 and Coordinator of the former FP7 Coordinated Project 'CancerPathways'. His lab employs cutting-edge functional genomics tools to decode signaling networks in cancer and development.
Nikolaus Rajewsky is a leading Professor at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin , where he founded and directs the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB) . His lab integrates experimental (biochemistry, molecular biology) and computational (bioinformatics, physics) approaches to study RNA regulation in gene expression , with applications to developmental biology, regeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer . Using model systems like C. elegans , planaria, and human brain organoids, his team pioneers cutting-edge methods such as MirDeep , DistMap , and FLAM-seq for RNA analysis. His research focuses on single-cell transcriptomics , spatial RNA sequencing , and circular RNA (circRNA) regulation , revealing novel roles for circRNAs like CDR1as in neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent work includes 3D tumor microenvironment mapping and computational modeling of RNA metabolism in diseases. Scientific Awards : Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2012) EMBO Membership (2010) Honorary PhD, Sapienza University of Rome (2014) Berlin Science Award (2009) His team's recent articles highlight breakthroughs in 3D spatial transcriptomics , circRNA degradation mechanisms , and mitochondrial disease modeling using human brain organoids. The lab actively collaborates with clinical partners across Charité and European institutions, driving the LifeTime initiative for cell-based interceptive medicine.
Professor Isabel Dziobek is a distinguished academic at Humboldt University of Berlin, holding a W3 Professorship in Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction within the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Life Sciences. She serves as Head of the University Outpatient Clinic for Psychotherapy and Psychodiagnostics and leads the Special Outpatient Clinic for Social Interaction. As Academic Director of the Center for Psychotherapy at Humboldt University and Principal Investigator at the German Center for Mental Health, she plays a pivotal role in shaping mental health research and clinical practice in Germany. Her educational background includes a Diploma in Psychology from Ruhr University Bochum (2000), a Dr. rer. nat. summa cum laude from University of Bielefeld (2006), and Habilitation in Psychology from Free University of Berlin (2014). She obtained her license to practice as a psychological psychotherapist in 2015. Professor Dziobek's research focuses on bio-psycho-social mechanisms of social interaction disorders across autism spectrum disorders, social anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Her work integrates neurobiological approaches (fMRI, EEG, psychophysiology, eye-tracking, neuromodulation) with the development of diagnostic and intervention procedures including cognitive behavioral therapy, e-mental health, and social robotics. She has pioneered research on therapeutic mechanisms through focused short-term programs involving movement synchronization, social competence training, and brain stimulation augmentation. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on empathy assessment in autism and personality disorders, development of innovative assessment tools like the Simulated Interaction Task for Children (Kids-SIT), and exploration of novel therapeutic approaches including psychedelic-assisted therapy. Her work increasingly incorporates participatory research methods and cross-cultural validation of assessment tools, reflecting a commitment to making research clinically relevant and accessible. 2016: Teaching Award of the Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin 2016: Antistigma-Preis der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie 2014: Charlotte- und Karl-Bühler-Preis, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie 2011: 2nd Place in Brain-Art Competition 2011 2007: Dissertation Award of University of Bielefeld 2007: 1st Prize at Canadian Film Festival "Picture This" Professor Dziobek serves in numerous leadership roles including Spokesperson for Charité Mental Health, Fellow of the Max Planck School of Cognition, and Board Member of Charité Mental Health. She directs the DZPG-funded research group and participates in the Cluster of Excellence Neurocure III. Her lab, the Dziobek Lab (dziobek-lab.org), focuses on developing and evaluating interventions for social interaction disorders while maintaining strong clinical connections through the University Outpatient Clinic.
Prof. Dr. Axel Mecklinger is a leading cognitive neuroscientist at Saarland University , specializing in the neurocognition of memory and language through spatiotemporal brain imaging (EEG/MEG/fMRI). His career spans over three decades, with significant contributions to understanding visual working memory , associative recognition , and memory development . Key research areas: Memory binding, ERP subsequent memory effects, novelty detection, and cognitive aging Major grants: DFG Research Groups, Collaborative Research Centers, and international collaborations with the Chinese Academy of Sciences Scientific leadership: Organized conferences, edited journals, and served as speaker for research training groups His recent work explores unitization in memory formation , cross-cultural differences in memory processing , and theta neurofeedback interventions . Awards include the Early Career Award of the German Psychophysiology Society (1992) and the European Federation of Psychophysiology Societies' Federation Prize (1994). Current projects investigate the neural mechanisms of semantic surprisal and memory plasticity in aging populations.
