About me
I am interested in the biological underpinnings of eating disorders. Based on my interdisciplinary education in medicine, psychology and behavioural genetics I want to work at the interface of these disciplines. My past research experience focused on developing new possibilities to prevent and treat obesity, eating and mood disorders. I previously worked as a research fellow in health psychology in an international research project DEDIPAC, whose objective was to understand the determinants of dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours and to translate this knowledge into a more effective promotion of a healthy diet and physical activity. My MD research project focused on the hormonal and metabolic regulation of food intake which is highly influenced by genetics.
Research description
Identifying biomarkers through genetic studies could facilitate the detection of individuals who are at risk for developing an eating disorder. Combining these different domains of basic scientific research (such as genetic association studies and neuroimaging) and field research with high ecological validity (like ambulatory assessment) may allow the dissection of the genetic and environmental factors underlying the aetiology of eating behaviour.Teaching portfolio
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Colloquium Health Psychology (MSc), Department of Health Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Education
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MSc Genes, Environment and Development, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Insitute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London
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Research Fellow, Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz
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Research Assistant, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz
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Research Assistant, Working Group Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Mainz
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BSc Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz
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Doctoral Studies Program (Dr. med.), Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Mainz
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Student Assistant, Interdisciplinary Intensive Care Unit, St. Josefs-Hospital Wiesbaden
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Studies of Human Medicine, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz
- Emergency Medical Assistant, German Red Cross, Ludwigshafen
Academic honours, awards and prizes
- Anne Farmer prize scholarship, King's College London