English 
German About me
I am a psychologist and neuroscientist with more than 12 years of experience in interdisciplinary research, teaching and mentoring. Having been embedded in the academic environment, I have developed a fascination for the topics of research integrity and its relationship with interpersonal dynamics and personal development.
My motivation
Scientists have an important, versatile, and often fulfilling job – one that also comes with many challenges, often driven by a less than optimal academic system. During my academic career, I experienced many of the ups and downs that are part of academic life, and I know how exciting but also stressful being a researcher can be.
Research groups usually provide technical training but leave limited room for broader issues such as scientific values and integrity dilemmas. Also, there is generally little guidance on how to deal with difficult situations or how to stay motivated and productive over time. I was lucky to experience how much good external mentors can help, offering support and a different perspective when needed.
At the same time, I have seen how poor supervision, unresolved conflicts, and poorly managed projects can lead to bad scientific practice and leave researchers frustrated and burnt out. In my current work, I aim to help prevent such situations by opening discussions on systemic issues, offering training in good scientific practice and technical solutions, and supporting individuals in recognising and using their own resources, addressing challenges, and staying connected to their original motivation and ideals. It is never too early to start.
Short CV
Currently:
- Part-time freelancer trainer, coach and mediator (since 2023)
- Part-time employed as open science officer at the University of Leipzig (since 2024)
Qualifications:
- Mediation (ImKonsens, Leipzig; 2020-2021, 220 hours)
- Systemic Coaching (CoachingSpirale, Berlin; 2021-2022, 205 hours;) and advanced modules on Career Coaching (Artop, Berlin; 2026)
- Thiagi’s Interactive Techniques for Instructor-Led Training (3 days, Berlin, 2023)
- Train-the-Trainer program of the Digital Research Academy (virtual, 2025)
- Applied Improvisation, Impulspiloten (3 days, Lichtung Pegnitz, 2025)
- Train-the-Trainer on Research data management, SaxFDM (2 days, virtual, 2026)
- Regular performance training (theatre, improv theatre and musical theatre)
Experience in academia:
- Degrees in Psychology (Mag.) and Molecular Biology (BSc; both at the University of Graz)
- PhD in brain imaging (Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre)
- 8 years of experience as a Postdoc (Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, and at the Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences)
- 1 year industry experience as a data scientist in a biotech AI start-up company
- University level teaching and supervision and mentoring of PhD, MSc and internship students
- Leadership positions in the Communication Committee of the largest international organisation for brain imaging (Organization for Human Brain Mapping)
- Co-founder of an Open Science Initiative
Professional networks:
- Digital Research Academy
- AI trainer team of the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy
- AI trainer network empowerpeopleAI
- Mediationsteam Leipzig
- Train Together Network
- Alumni and member of success team of the Max Planck Society’s Sign Up! career building program
- Open Science Officer network
- NFDI EduTrain working group on error culture in science
- Improberaum improv theatre ensemble and trainer for the Action&Drama improv theatre courses
Academic successes
- Publications: 10 published first-author, 2 last-author research publications, 2 review papers in international peer-reviewed journals, 1 book chapter, 13 conference proceedings, 2 publications on open-science related initiatives
- Own fellowships and own research grant by German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Prizes for my PhD and postdoctoral work
- For all my publications, look at my Google scholar profile or ORCID.