In October 2025, I started my PhD at Erasmus University Rotterdam, under the supervision of Mieke Schulte, Janna Cousijn, and Taco de Vries. Prior to this, I completed bachelor’s degrees in Psychobiology and Psychology at the University of Amsterdam, where I also pursued the research master’s program Cognitive Neurobiology & Clinical Neurophysiology. In addition, I obtained a master’s degree in Philosophy of Neuroscience at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
During my studies, I developed a strong interest in the neurobiological processes underlying cognitive functions. I also became interested in the topic of smoking addiction through my work as a project coordinator for Smoke-Free Mental Health Care at GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord. In my current PhD project, I am able to combine these two areas of interest. My research investigates whether a new brain stimulation technique, deep rTMS targeting the insula, can serve as an effective treatment for smoking addiction. I hereby also study addiction-related neurocognitive processes and sex differences using questionnaires, behavioral tasks, and neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, MRS). The aim of this research is to gain a better understanding of the role of the insula in addiction and to contribute to the development of a potential new treatment for smoking addiction.
