A01 A02 A04 A05 A07 A09 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A18 A19 A21 F01 F02 INF Ö

The scientific team

A01 – Extinction in the 4th dimension

Principle Investigors: Pusch, Güntürkün

Roland Pusch

Project Lead A01

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈʁoːlant pʊʃ

Onur Güntürkün

Project Lead A01, F01, Z, Ö

Ruhr University Bochum
oˈnuɾ ɟynˈtyɾcyn

Mehdi Behroozi

Postdoc A01

Ruhr University Bochum
/ˈmehdi bɛhˈruːzi/

Robert Reichert

PhD Student A01

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈɹɑbɚt ˈɹaɪkɚt

A02 – Neural mechanisms of context generalization

Prinicipal Investigator: Axmacher

Nikolai Axmacher

Project Lead A02, A03, F02

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈnɪkoˌlaɪ ˈɑksˌmɑxɐ

Antoine Bouyeure

Postdoc A02

Ruhr University Bochum
æn.twan bu.jœʁ

A04 – The neural mechanisms of extinction learning

Prinicipal Investigator: Manahan-Vaughan, Haubrich

Denise Manahan-Vaughan

Project Lead A04

Ruhr University Bochum
dəˈniːs ˈmænəhæn ˈvɔɪən

Josué Haubrich

Project Lead A04

Ruhr University Bochum
ʒoˈzweɪ ˈhaʊbʁɪç

Jiaoru Liu

PHD Student A04

Ruhr University Bochum
dʒaʊɚuː ljuː

A05 – The contribution of the cerebellum to extinction: intrinsic mechanisms and cerebello-cerebral interactions

Prinicipal Investigators: Timmann-Braun, Quick, Peterburs

Dagmar Timmann-Braun

Project Lead A05, F02

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈdaɡmaɐ̯ ˈtɪman ˈbʁaʊ̯n

Harald-H. Quick

Project Lead A05, F02

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈhaːʁalt haː ˈkvɪk

Jutta Peterburs

Project Lead A05

Medical School Hamburg
ˈjʊta ˈpeːtɐbʊrs

Thomas Ernst

Postdoc A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈtɔməs ˈɛɹnst

Frederik Schlitt-Nguyễn

Postdoc A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈfʁeːdəʁɪk ʃlɪt nɡʷiˈɛn

Michael Klein

PhD Student A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈmaɪkəl klaɪn

Alice Doubliez

PhD Student A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈælɪs duːˈbljeɪ

Enzo Nio

PhD Student A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈɛn.zoʊ ˈni.oʊ

A07 – Interaction between stress and serotonergic signalling pathways to modulate extinction learning in the amygdala

Principle Investigators: Spoida, Herlitze

Katharina Spoida

Project Lead A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ka.taˈʁiː.na ˈʃpɔɪ.da

Stefan Herlitze

Project Lead A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈʃtɛfan ˈhɛrlɪtsə

Hanna Böke

PhD Student A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈhana ˈbøːkə

Lennard Rohr

PhD Student A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈlɛnɑrd rɔːr

Hannah Schulte

PHD Student A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈhænə ˈʃʊltə

A09 – Improving stress hormone effects on extinction learning and retrieval

Principle Investigators: Merz, Jentsch, Wolf

Christian Merz

Project Lead A09

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈkrɪstjən mɛrts

Valerie Jentsch née Kinner

Project Lead A09

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈvæləri ˈjɛntʃ neɪ ˈkɪnər

Oliver T. Wolf

Project Lead A09

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈɑlɪvər ti wʊlf

Jaël Caviola

PhD Student A09

Ruhr University Bochum
ʒaˈɛl ka.viˈo.la

Lianne Wolsink

PhD Student A09

Ruhr University Bochum
liˈæn ˈwɔl.sɪŋk

Leander Fester

PHD Student A09

Ruhr University Bochum
liˈændər ˈfɛstər

A10 – From Pavlov to pain: extinction learning in visceral pain

Principle Investigator: Elsenbruch, Icenhour

Sigrid Elsenbruch

Project Lead A10, A12

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈziːɡʁɪt ˈɛlzn̩ˌbʁʊx

Adriane Icenhour

Project Lead A10

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈeɪ.dri.ən ˈaɪ.sən.haʊɚ

Franziska Labrenz

Postdoc A10, A12

Ruhr University Bochum / University of Duisburg-Essen
[fʁanˈtsɪska laˈbʁɛnts]

Laura R. Lanters née Koenen

Postdoc A10

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈlaʊ̯ɹə ɑːɹ ˈlæntɚz neɪ ˈkuːnən

Sumit Roy

Postdoc A10, A12

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈsuːmɪt rɔɪ

Dominic Pundt

PhD Student A10

Ruhr University Bochum
/dɒmɪnɪk pʊnt/

Katharina Koch

PhD Student A10

Ruhr University Bochum
ka.taˈʁiː.na kɔx

Cornelia Klukowski

PhD Student A10

Ruhr University Bochum
kɔrˈneːli.a kluˈkɔfski

A11 – Adapting to change: Learning and extinction in dynamic environments in chronic back pain and health

Principle Investigators: Bingel, Schmidt

Ulrike Bingel

Project Lead A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
ʊlˈʁiːkə ˈbɪŋəl

Katharina Schmidt

Project Lead A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
ka.taˈʁiː.na ˈʃmɪt

Katja Wiech

Advisor A11

University of Oxford
ˈkatja viːç

Bálint Kincses

Postdoc A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈbaːlint ˈkint͡ʃɛʃ

Lea Busch

PhD Student A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈleːa bʊʃ

Jialin Li

PhD Student A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
[d͡ʒjɑː.lin li]

A12 – The impact of chronic inflammation on fear extinction

Principle Investigators: Engler, Elsenbruch

Harald Engler

Project Lead A12

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈhaːʁalt ˈɛŋlɐ

Sigrid Elsenbruch

Project Lead A10, A12

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈziːɡʁɪt ˈɛlzn̩ˌbʁʊx

Franziska Labrenz

Postdoc A10, A12

Ruhr University Bochum / University of Duisburg-Essen
[fʁanˈtsɪska laˈbʁɛnts]

Hanna Öhlmann

Postdoc A12

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈhana ˈøːlman

Sumit Roy

Postdoc A10, A12

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈsuːmɪt rɔɪ

Lena Nonnweiler

PhD Student A12

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈleːna ˈnɔnˌvaɪlɐ

A13 – Adding imagery-based interventions to exposure and fear extinction

Principle Investigators:  Zlomuzica, Woud

Armin Zlomuzica

Project Lead A13

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈɑːrmɪn zloʊˈmuːzɪkə

Marcella Woud

Project Lead A13

University of Göttingen
mɑrˈsɛl.ə waʊd

Beray Macit

PhD Student A13

Ruhr University Bochum
/bɛˈɾaj maˈdʒit/

Annalisa Lipp

PhD Student A13

Ruhr University Bochum
ænəˈliːzə lɪp

Lisa Huilmann

PHD Student A13

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈliːzə ˈhʊlman

A14 – Modeling context-dependent acquisition and extinction learning

Principle Investigator: Cheng

Sen Cheng

Project Lead A14, F02

Ruhr University Bochum
sɛn tʃɛŋ

Sandhiya Vijayabaskaran

Postdoc A14

Ruhr University Bochum
sænˈdɪjə vɪˌʤeɪəˈbɑskərən

Julia Pronoza

PHD Student A14

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈdʒuːliə proˈnoʊzə

A18 – How learning shapes immunity

Principle Investigators: Hadamitzky, Schedlowski

Martin Hadamitzky

Project Lead A18

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈmaʁ.tiːn ha.daˈmɪt.ski

Manfred Schedlowski

Project Lead A18

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈmanfʁeːt ʃɛdˈlɔvski

Julia Bihorac

PhD Student A18

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈdʒuːliə bɪˈhɔːræk

A19 – Causality and neural dynamics of context and generalization

Principle Investigator: Rose

Jonas Rose

Project Lead A19

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈdʒoʊnəs roʊz

Juan M. Peschken

PhD Student A19

Ruhr University Bochum
wɑn ɛm pɛʃkən

Sara Santos Silva

PhD Student A19

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈsaɾa ˈsɐ̃tuʃ ˈsiɫvɐ

Farina Lingstädt

PhD Student A19

Ruhr University Bochum
faˈʁiːna ˈlɪŋʃtɛt

A21 - Cerebellar contribution to fear extinction

Principle Investigator: Mark

Melanie Mark

Project Lead A21

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈmɛləni mɑːrk

Tejas Nair

PhD Student A21

Ruhr University Bochum
/ˈteːd͡ʒəs ˈnaɪər/

Haiting Wu

PhD Student A21

F01 – Focus Group Learning Dynamics

Principle Investigators: Cheng, Güntürkün, Üngör

Sen Cheng

Project Lead A14, F02

Ruhr University Bochum
sɛn tʃɛŋ

Onur Güntürkün

Project Lead A01, F01, Z, Ö

Ruhr University Bochum
oˈnuɾ ɟynˈtyɾcyn

Metin Üngör

Project Lead F01

Marburg University
metin yʏnˈɟœɾ

Herzallah Alharazin

Postdoc F01

Ruhr University Bochum
/hɛrˈzɑlɑl ælˈhɑrɑːzɪn/

F02 –Focus Group Learning Neuroimaging and Genetics

Principle Investigators: Axmacher, Timmann-Braun, Kumsta, Spisák

Nikolai Axmacher

Project Lead A02, A03, F02

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈnɪkoˌlaɪ ˈɑksˌmɑxɐ

Dagmar Timmann-Braun

Project Lead A05, F02

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈdaɡmaɐ̯ ˈtɪman ˈbʁaʊ̯n

Robert Kumsta

Project Lead F02

University of Luxembourg
ˈɹɒbət ˈkʊmsta

Tamás Spisák

Project Lead F02 (Associated)

Predictive NeuroImaging Lab
ˈtɒmaːʃ ˈʃpiʃaːk

Carlos A. Gomes

Postdoc F02

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈkaɾ.lus a ˈɡo.mis

Javier Schneider Penate

PhD Student F02

Ruhr University Bochum
xaˈβjeɾ ʃnaɪˈdɐɾ peˈnate

INF - Central Research Data Management

Project Lead: Otto, Winter

Tobias Otto

Project Lead INF

Ruhr University Bochum
/toˈbiːas ˈɔto/

Nina Winter

Project Lead INF

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈniːnə ˈwɪntər

Maryam Alashloo

Data Steward INF

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈmæriəm æˈlæʃlu

Ö - Public Outreach

Project Lead: Güntürkün

Onur Güntürkün

Project Lead A01, F01, Z, Ö

Ruhr University Bochum
oˈnuɾ ɟynˈtyɾcyn

Philipp Blömeke

Editor Ö

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈfɪlɪp ˈbløːməkə

Support

Xavier Helluy

MRI Physicist

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈɡza.vje ɛ.lɥi

Dirk Moser

Lab Lead Molecular Genetics

Ruhr University Bochum
dɜːrk ˈmoʊzər

Harald Lachnit

Project Lead F01

Marburg University
ˈhaːʁalt ˈlaχnɪt

Annemie van der Linden

Fellow

Antwerpen University
ˈɑnəmi vɑn dɛr ˈlɪndən

A08 – Strukturelle, prozess- und kontextbezogene Faktoren die den Renewal-Effekt der Extinktion vermitteln

The Principal Investigators

Image
Name
Designation
Short Description
Social Links
Onur Güntürkün
Project Lead A01, F01, Z, Ö

Ruhr University Bochum
oˈnuɾ ɟynˈtyɾcyn

Roland Pusch
Project Lead A01

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈʁoːlant pʊʃ

Nikolai Axmacher
Project Lead A02, A03, F02

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈnɪkoˌlaɪ ˈɑksˌmɑxɐ

Erhan Genç
Project Lead A03

IfADo
ˈeɾhan ˈɟentʃ

Denise Manahan-Vaughan
Project Lead A04

Ruhr University Bochum
dəˈniːs ˈmænəhæn ˈvɔɪən

Dagmar Timmann-Braun
Project Lead A05, F02

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈdaɡmaɐ̯ ˈtɪman ˈbʁaʊ̯n

Harald-H. Quick
Project Lead A05, F02

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈhaːʁalt haː ˈkvɪk

Michael A. Nitsche
Project Lead A06

IfADo
ˈmaɪkəl eɪ ˈnɪtʃə

Fatemeh Yavari
Project Lead A06

IfADo
/fæˈteːme jɑːˈværi/

Stefan Herlitze
Project Lead A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈʃtɛfan ˈhɛrlɪtsə

Katharina Spoida
Project Lead A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ka.taˈʁiː.na ˈʃpɔɪ.da

Oliver T. Wolf
Project Lead A09

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈɑlɪvər ti wʊlf

Valerie Jentsch née Kinner
Project Lead A09

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈvæləri ˈjɛntʃ neɪ ˈkɪnər

Christian Merz
Project Lead A09

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈkrɪstjən mɛrts

Sigrid Elsenbruch
Project Lead A10, A12

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈziːɡʁɪt ˈɛlzn̩ˌbʁʊx

Adriane Icenhour
Project Lead A10

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈeɪ.dri.ən ˈaɪ.sən.haʊɚ

Ulrike Bingel
Project Lead A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
ʊlˈʁiːkə ˈbɪŋəl

Katharina Schmidt
Project Lead A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
ka.taˈʁiː.na ˈʃmɪt

Harald Engler
Project Lead A12

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈhaːʁalt ˈɛŋlɐ

Jürgen Margraf
Project Lead A13

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈjʏʁɡn̩ ˈmaʁɡʁaːf

Armin Zlomuzica
Project Lead A13

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈɑːrmɪn zloʊˈmuːzɪkə

Marcella Woud
Project Lead A13

University of Göttingen
mɑrˈsɛl.ə waʊd

Sen Cheng
Project Lead A14, F02

Ruhr University Bochum
sɛn tʃɛŋ

Martin Hadamitzky
Project Lead A18

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈmaʁ.tiːn ha.daˈmɪt.ski

Manfred Schedlowski
Project Lead A18

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈmanfʁeːt ʃɛdˈlɔvski

Jonas Rose
Project Lead A19

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈdʒoʊnəs roʊz

Melanie Mark
Project Lead A21

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈmɛləni mɑːrk

Metin Üngör
Project Lead F01

Marburg University
metin yʏnˈɟœɾ

Robert Kumsta
Project Lead F02

University of Luxembourg
ˈɹɒbət ˈkʊmsta

Tamás Spisák
Project Lead F02 (Associated)

Predictive NeuroImaging Lab
ˈtɒmaːʃ ˈʃpiʃaːk

Nina Winter
Project Lead INF

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈniːnə ˈwɪntər

Tobias Otto
Project Lead INF

Ruhr University Bochum
/toˈbiːas ˈɔto/

Research Fellows

Image
Name
Designation
Short Description
Social Links
Mina Khodadadi
Postdoc A01

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈmiːnə xoːdɑːˈdɑːdi

Robert Reichert
PhD Student A01

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈɹɑbɚt ˈɹaɪkɚt

Antoine Bouyeure
Postdoc A02

Ruhr University Bochum
æn.twan bu.jœʁ

Christoph Fraenz
Postdoc A03

IfADo
ˈkʁɪstɔf ˈfʁɛnts

Justinas Narbutas
Postdoc A03

IfADo
ˈjus.tɪ.nɐs ˈnar.bu.tɐs

Arslan Gabdulkhakov
PhD Student A03

IfADo
ɑːrslɑn ɡæbdʊlˈxɑːkɔv

George Jacob
PhD Student A03

Ruhr University Bochum
/ˈdʒɔrdʒ ˈdʒeɪkəb/

Josué Haubrich
Project Lead A04

Ruhr University Bochum
ʒoˈzweɪ ˈhaʊbʁɪç

Giorgi Batsikadze
Postdoc A05

Universität Duisburg-Essen
ˈɡiɔrɡi bɑtsiˈkɑdze

Thomas Ernst
Postdoc A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈtɔməs ˈɛɹnst

Michael Klein
PhD Student A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈmaɪkəl klaɪn

Alice Doubliez
PhD Student A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈælɪs duːˈbljeɪ

Enzo Nio
PhD Student A05

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈɛn.zoʊ ˈni.oʊ

Harleen Chhabra
Postdoc A06

IfADo
/hɑːrˈliːn ˈtʃɑːbrə/

Vuk Markovic
PhD Student A06

IfADo
vuk markovitɕ

Yuanbo Ma
PhD Student A06

IfADo
/jwæn.boʊ mɑ/

Hanna Böke
PhD Student A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈhana ˈbøːkə

Lennard Rohr
PhD Student A07

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈlɛnɑrd rɔːr

Lianne Wolsink
PhD Student A09

Ruhr University Bochum
liˈæn ˈwɔl.sɪŋk

Leander Fester
PHD Student A09

Ruhr University Bochum
liˈændər ˈfɛstər

Jaël Caviola
PhD Student A09

Ruhr University Bochum
ʒaˈɛl ka.viˈo.la

Franziska Labrenz
Postdoc A10, A12

Ruhr University Bochum / University of Duisburg-Essen
[fʁanˈtsɪska laˈbʁɛnts]

Genisius Hartanto
Postdoc A10

Ruhr University Bochum
d͡ʒəˈnisiəs hɑrˈtanto

Laura R. Lanters née Koenen
Postdoc A10

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈlaʊ̯ɹə ɑːɹ ˈlæntɚz neɪ ˈkuːnən

Dominic Pundt
PhD Student A10

Ruhr University Bochum
/dɒmɪnɪk pʊnt/

Katharina Koch
PhD Student A10

Ruhr University Bochum
ka.taˈʁiː.na kɔx

Cornelia Klukowski
PhD Student A10

Ruhr University Bochum
kɔrˈneːli.a kluˈkɔfski

Katja Wiech
Advisor A11

University of Oxford
ˈkatja viːç

Bálint Kincses
Postdoc A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈbaːlint ˈkint͡ʃɛʃ

Lea Busch
PhD Student A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈleːa bʊʃ

Jialin Li
PhD Student A11

University of Duisburg-Essen
[d͡ʒjɑː.lin li]

Hanna Öhlmann
Postdoc A12

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈhana ˈøːlman

Lena Nonnweiler
PhD Student A12

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈleːna ˈnɔnˌvaɪlɐ

Beray Macit
PhD Student A13

Ruhr University Bochum
/bɛˈɾaj maˈdʒit/

Annalisa Lipp
PhD Student A13

Ruhr University Bochum
ænəˈliːzə lɪp

Sandhiya Vijayabaskaran
Postdoc A14

Ruhr University Bochum
sænˈdɪjə vɪˌʤeɪəˈbɑskərən

Laura Heiß-Lueckemann
Postdoc A18

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈlaʊ̯ʁa haɪs ˈlʏkəman

Marie Jakobs
PhD Student A18

University of Duisburg-Essen
məˈʁi ˈjaːkɔps

Julia Bihorac
PhD Student A18

University of Duisburg-Essen
ˈdʒuːliə bɪˈhɔːræk

Juan M. Peschken
PhD Student A19

Ruhr University Bochum
wɑn ɛm pɛʃkən

Farina Lingstädt
PhD Student A19

Ruhr University Bochum
faˈʁiːna ˈlɪŋʃtɛt

Sara Santos Silva
PhD Student A19

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈsaɾa ˈsɐ̃tuʃ ˈsiɫvɐ

Carlos A. Gomes
Postdoc F02

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈkaɾ.lus a ˈɡo.mis

Javier Schneider Penate
PhD Student F02

Ruhr University Bochum
xaˈβjeɾ ʃnaɪˈdɐɾ peˈnate

Maryam Alashloo
Data Steward INF

Ruhr University Bochum
ˈmæriəm æˈlæʃlu

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New Year, New Me: The Facts

As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).

Most common new years resolutions:

  1. Saving more money (52%)
  2. Eat healthier (50%)
  3. Exercise more (48%)
  4. Lose weight (37%)
  5. Spend more time with family/friends (35%)

How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?

  • Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week. 
  • 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month. 
  • 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.

What makes resolutions stick?

Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.

The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all. 

Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to “take better care of themselves” could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.

So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.