I head the Chair of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience of Resilience, which includes the affiliated University Outpatient Clinic for Psychotherapy and Neuropsychology, as well as a research group at the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR). I am a licensed psychological psychotherapist specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy with additional qualifications in child and adolescent psychotherapy. I completed my doctoral degree at the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University. Subsequently, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in the United States. After a brief appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas in Houston, I headed the Chair of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Freiburg before joining JGU Mainz.

My research is at the intersection of clinical psychology, neuroscience, and developmental psychology and I use methods from these three disciplines to identify the emotional and motivational mechanisms that underlie resilient and symptomatic developmental trajectories. Building on these insights, I develop prevention and intervention modules for adolescents and adults.

I am particularly interested in motivational processes, beliefs, and appraisal processes associated with irritable–aggressive, anhedonic–depressive, and avoidant–anxious behaviors. In developing interventions, my focus is on micro-interventions that can be delivered within a single session or in digital formats. I believe this approach has the potential to meaningfully reduce existing gaps in mental health care and to reach marginalized individuals who currently have limited access to psychological support. Methodologically, I take a multimodal approach that integrates neuroimaging (MRI, EEG), psychophysiology, eye-tracking, and behavioral experiments.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, practicing yoga, and reading. I also love decorating our home to match the seasons and holidays.

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I studied psychology in Leipzig and began working as a research assistant at the University of Freiburg in 2023. In 2024, I started my training as a psychological psychotherapist specialising in behavioral therapy, and since 2025 I have been working on my PhD in Freiburg under the supervision of Julia Linke.

I am using a transdiagnostic model that aims to identify the common (neurobiological) mechanisms underlying comorbid mental disorders. In doing so, I am examining the symptoms of irritability, inattention, hyperactivity and anxiety, which often occur together. A common mechanism underlying these four symptoms could be a lack of inhibitory control, which I am currently seeking to validate using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data, behavioral data and experimental data.

In general, I am interested in the neurobiological mechanisms that may underlie various symptoms, with a view to exploring an alternative transdiagnostic perspective on different clinical presentations, alongside descriptive classification systems.

To balance out my work at the computer with data, I love nothing more than getting out into nature, especially to the crags for rock climbing.

I hold master’s degrees in psychology and in sports sciences and received my doctorate in psychology from the University of Leipzig in 2002. Since 2003 I am at the Institute of Psychology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, where I teach Biological Psychology. I am also head of the research ethics board at the Institute of Psychology. As part of a research stay, I am working at the Central Institute of Mental Health in the Neuropsychology and Psychological Resilience Research work group until the summer semester 2029.

I am focused on neuro-physiological research (mainly EEG) in the context of visual, auditory, and multisensory processing in the context of perception of illusory self-motion (called vection) as well as processes of emotion regulation in adults.

An open question is why visual input indicating motion is often interpreted as self-motion (instead of object motion), even in situations when we know that we are stationary. It is astonishing that the visual system has the capacity to overrule other sensory input (which contradicts self-motion) and sometimes even explicit knowledge about the current (stationary) state. But why is this the case?

Since April 2026, I have been an academic staff member in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscientific Resilience Research at JGU Mainz.

During my bachelor’s degree in biology at JGU Mainz, I discovered my fascination for the human brain and therefore decided to do a master’s degree program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Goethe University Frankfurt, which led to my doctorate at the Department of Psychiatry in Frankfurt.

Having worked mainly on schizophrenia, reward processing and the physical impairments of patients in recent years, my focus is now on research into mental health and resilience.

In my research, I am particularly interested in the holistic aspect and the interplay between body, brain and behavior. Methodologically, I work in the field of cognitive neuroscience and use functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate neuronal processes that underlie resilient behavior and psychological stability.

In my free time, I love being outdoors with my family – whether it’s jogging, playing on playgrounds or taking a leisurely walk with our dog.

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I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology in China. During my master’s studies, I developed clinical screening questionnaires for olfactory disorders and conducted behavioral and fMRI research on the neural mechanisms of sensory metaphors. I am now pursuing my PhD, where I focus the study of irritability in young people.

I am currently working on experimental studies investigating how frustration and irritability arise and unfold, particularly in young people. My work focuses on developing new reinforcement-learning–based tasks to probe frustration triggered by reward omission and prediction errors. In these studies, I combine behavioral measures with physiological indicators such as heart rate and pupil dilation to better understand the mechanisms underlying irritability. In the long term, this line of research aims to identify processes that could inform future clinical interventions.

I am interested in how frustration and irritability develop and unfold in young people. A central question for me is how prediction errors and reward-related processes shape emotional responses such as frustration and sadness. I am also curious about which behavioral and physiological markers can help capture these processes more precisely in real time.

Outside the lab, I enjoy going for walks, trying different kinds of tea and food, and reading novels.

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I am the Managing and Deputy Director of the University Outpatient Clinic for Psychotherapy and Neuropsychology at the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience of Resilience. In addition, I am a licensed Psychological Psychotherapist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a state-recognized Neuropsychological Psychotherapist, as well as an authorized trainer in this field. I achieved my Doctoral degree in the Department of Experimental Psychology at Justus Liebig University Giessen and subsequently pursued my psychotherapy training and advanced qualification at Johannes Gutenberg University and the University Medical Center Mainz.

My work involves organizing a wide range of activities within the outpatient clinic. In addition to strategic planning, staff management, process structuring, budgeting, and monitoring, this also includes overseeing quality management, as well as the networking and external representation of the clinic. As an authorized trainer, I supervise several trainees in the field of Neuropsychological Psychotherapy and contribute to both teaching and the coordination of courses in the Master’s program in Clinical Psychology and Psychological Psychotherapy. Furthermore, I provide neuropsychological psychotherapy myself.

I am committed to establish and implement advanced training in Neuropsychological Psychotherapy, to improv the representation of this field, and to develop a multicenter research network aimed at effectively pooling research data in this area.

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I have been working as a research assistant in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscientific Resilience Research since 2023. Prior to that, I was employed at the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research in Mainz. At the same time, I completed my training as a psychological psychotherapist (psychodynamic therapy), which I finished in 2021. In addition to my work at the university, I work in a psychotherapy practice in Wiesbaden.

In my research, I focus on the development and refinement of interventions to promote (stress) resilience, including single session interventions (SSIs). A key focus of my work is teaching. In addition to psychotherapy research, I primarily teach the fundamentals of psychodynamic therapy in theory and practice.

It is very important to me to preserve the diversity of psychotherapeutic methods and to convey my enthusiasm for psychodynamic therapy. I am particularly interested in the tension between SSIs and classic long-term therapy. What factors contribute to the effectiveness of SSIs? What advantages do different forms of Intervention offer? How can therapeutic material be provided in the best possible way for recipients to benefit from?

I like knitting – unlike in therapy and research, you always have a very immediate result.

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I am a doctoral student in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience of Resilience, where I am actively involved in ongoing research projects. Prior to my doctoral training, I completed my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology at Columbia University and worked as a Psychometrist and Clinical Research Coordinator at Mount Sinai. My work is driven by a deep interest in the relationship between mental health and the neural mechanisms underlying it. I am committed to advancing the understanding of this relationship in order to develop more effective, evidence-based approaches that promote well-being in diverse communities.

My current research spans clinical psychology and neuroscience, investigating the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying resilience and adaptive functioning. Using participatory research methods, I investigate the mental health needs of adolescents and young adults to develop Single Session Interventions that reach people early and effectively. Alongside this, I examine how individuals learn and represent social network structures as well as the neurophysiological mechanisms that drive these processes.

More broadly, I am interested in what neurological and psychological mechanisms underlie the profound differences in how people navigate change and life transitions, both developmental and situational. My goal is to translate these insights into accessible interventions that meet people where they are as they navigate new phases of life.

Outside of research, I enjoy being outdoors- hiking, jogging, or simply exploring somewhere new. I also recharge by spending time with friends, practicing yoga and meditation, or watching a good movie.

Since February 2026, I have been working as a postdoctoral researcher in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience of Resilience. Prior to this, I was a research associate in the Department of “Analysis and Modeling of Complex Data” under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Anna-Lena Schubert. I completed my PhD in Differential Psychology and Personality Assessment at Heidelberg University, where I had previously obtained both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

In parallel to my academic work, I am currently in advanced training as a licensed psychological psychotherapist (cognitive behavioral therapy) at a university outpatient training clinic, where I am also engaged in clinical practice.

My research focuses on the measurement and mechanisms of cognitive control processes and their contribution to explaining mental disorders. Methodologically, I primarily employ experimental paradigms, psychophysiological methods (e.g., EEG), and cognitive modeling to precisely assess cognitive processes and investigate their functional significance. The overarching goal of my research is to better understand fundamental cognitive mechanisms and to clarify their role in the development and maintenance of mental disorders.

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Since January 2026, I have been an academic staff member and PhD candidate at the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (AG Linke “Neuroscientific Resilience Research”) and in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience of Resilience at the JGU.

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Freiburg and my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at RWTH Aachen University. I also passed the licensing examination according to PsychTherApprO 2020. After my master’s degree, I worked in the clinical field and worked in a psychosomatic rehabilitation clinic.

Currently, my research focuses on single-session interventions in various mental disorders. I am also involved in meta-analytic approaches to studying the impact of brief interventions on resilience, population-based statistical modeling and participatory research.

In addition, I am interested in neuroscientific mechanisms of resilience and recovery, including the development and change of inner world models and beliefs, as well as in anti-discriminatory and culturally sensitive approaches.

After completing my studies in Psychology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, I worked until the end of 2022 as a Research Associate in neuropsychological research (RG Tüscher – Structural Imaging) at the University Medical Center Mainz. From 2023 to 2025, I focused on practical work, serving as a Psychologist in counseling and as Head of Department in residential youth care. Since 2026, I have returned to research and am working as a Study Coordinator in the RG Linke, specializing in neuroscience-based resilience research.

As Study Coordinator, I am responsible for coordinating and managing ongoing research projects in the Linke Lab. I also handle data management and maintain study documentation in compliance with data protection and ethical guidelines.

In addition to my current professional focus on resilience research, I am interested in the study of attachment, transgenerational transmission, and the relationship between childhood experiences and neurobiological correlates.

In my free time, I try to convince myself that there is a gifted artist hidden within me, and when I paint with watercolors, I completely forget about the world around me.

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I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience of Resilience (since 2026). I previously completed a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience at Maastricht University, followed by a PhD at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin.

Before coming to Mainz, I investigated how naturalistic soundscapes shape mental states, emotions, and cognitive performance, and examined the neural basis of nature-related benefits using functional connectivity and brain entropy analyses. I now aim to integrate this expertise into upcoming projects in resilience research.

I am interested in the neural foundations of belief-based cognition. By clarifying how the brain forms and refines internal models of the world, we can generate insights that may enhance the effectiveness of behavioural therapies—an outcome I hope to advance through my research.

Following my master’s degree, I immersed myself in neuroscientific research and, as part of my dissertation, investigated ways of inducing stress in the laboratory (e.g., in MRI) – as well as the exciting question of whether acute stress affects our ability to regulate emotions. At the same time, my interest in psychotherapeutic work grew, so I completed training as a psychological psychotherapist specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy.
In my work as a clinical neuropsychologist, my two areas of interest—therapy and neuroscience—are perfectly aligned.

I am currently devoting myself wholeheartedly to teaching. I take great pleasure in accompanying students as they take their first steps as therapists in the courses of the new master’s degree program. I also work as a (teaching) therapist for neuropsychological psychotherapy at the university outpatient clinic for neuropsychology.

My research interest in acute stress reactions and their effects on mental functions has evolved toward resilience research: What keeps us healthy in the face of stress? Building on this, my work with neuropsychological patients focuses on the question of how we can best support recovery, adaptation, and acceptance processes after an acute, life-changing stressor—such as an illness or diagnosis.

Outside of university, my little son keeps me busy. In my free time, I enjoy sports, both actively and passively—the latter preferably at Mainz 05 games.

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I have been an academic staff member in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience of Resilience (formerly Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology) since 2017. I also work as a psychological psychotherapist (CBT) in the University Outpatient Clinic for Psychotherapy and Neuropsychology. After my studies at the University of Heidelberg, I completed my training as a psychological psychotherapist at the Outpatient Polyclinic for Psychotherapy and my PhD at the JGU Mainz.

In my research, I am currently working on environmental psychological topics, in particular the emergence and change of emotions in the context of environmental crises and processes that threaten democracy. In my courses, I teach both research-related knowledge – including experimental methods in clinical psychology and psychotherapy research – and therapy-relevant skills – including the preparation of micro and macro analyses and the documentation and evaluation of psychotherapeutic treatments.

I am particularly interested in the interface between clinical psychology and environmental psychology. I am trying to better understand emotional processes, in particular the emergence and regulation of emotions, in different contexts. I am specifically interested in emotions that arise in relation to global or societal challenges – e.g. climate change, loss of democracy. I am investigating their significance for mental health on the one hand and individual motivation for change on the other.

In my free time, I regulate my weltschmerz by playing basketball or going to the movies.

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I study Psychology and Psychotherapy at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. During my studies, I worked as a student research assistant at the University Medical Center Mainz, where I contributed to the Gutenberg Health Study as well as a Post-COVID study. In addition, I completed a research internship in the field of Psychosomatic Medicine.

Currently, I work as a student research assistant in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience of Resilience. There, I support various tasks related to ongoing research projects.

During a literature review in the field of women’s health, I noticed how limited the current state of research still is in most areas. This observation especially surprised me regarding the neurobiological and cognitive mechanisms underlying sex-specific differences and motivated me to engage more deeply with this field of research. I am particularly interested in the intersections of gynecology, psychology, and neuropsychology, especially how hormonal processes, brain function, and psychological processing interact.

I grew up with the world of Harry Potter and remain a proud Potterhead to this day. Perhaps that is also where my fascination with everything mysterious, unusual, or a little magical comes from. I also host a podcast called “Witchipedia,” where I talk about exciting, curious, and sometimes slightly eerie topics, often related to psychology, unusual stories, and social phenomena.

I completed both my bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and my bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Konstanz. For my master’s studies, I moved to Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

I am currently writing my master’s thesis under the supervision of Peter Zeier in the field of political anxiety. At a fundamental level, I am investigating how people respond to political stimuli.

What particularly interests me about this topic is that political content is an integral part of our daily lives and is almost impossible to avoid. The associated emotional reactions, as well as individual differences in how people cope with them, are a key motivation for me to engage more deeply with this field of research.

In my free time, I like to unwind by going on long walks while listening to music or podcasts, which helps me clear my mind.

Our research thrives on exchange: with participants, other researchers, practice partners and society. On this page you will find opportunities to get involved in our work, use our services or develop new approaches for the promotion of mental health together with us.

Whether it’s study participation, digital interventions, freely available questionnaires, workshops, or collaborations: we want to make research accessible and advance it further together with diverse communities.

We want to understand the mechanisms of stress-related illnesses and resilience in order to develop even more effective methods of prevention and treatment. Questions that interest us in this context are:

• Why do several mental disorders (e.g. anxiety and depression) often occur at the same time?
• How does the brain develop and can we use this knowledge to prevent mental disorders?
• Can we minimize wait times and impairment in everyday life through micro-interventions and use modern technologies to design therapy and predict the course of therapy?

To answer these questions, we need your support as study participants!

If you or your child are interested in participating in our research, we encourage you to register in our contact database. This will enable us to keep you regularly informed about new projects and exciting results.

We see scientific tools as shared resources and consistently focus on open science, transparency and reusability.

As part of our research, we often translate or develop questionnaires, which we also validate. We are happy to make these available for research and psychotherapy.

We are also interested in the formal modeling of clinical-psychological models. The aim is to describe complex psychological processes more precisely, make theoretical assumptions explicit and systematically investigate their dynamics. To this end, we have developed an interactive dashboard that can be used to explore how anger and aggression unfold in the context of negative feedback or the absence of positive feedback in different simulation scenarios. The dashboard illustrates how factors such as negative bias, controllability, and predictability interact to produce resilient or irritable phenotypes.

Analysis code and materials of our projects can be found on the authors’ GitHub and OSF pages.