Before joining UT, I've worked at the Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (GER), the University of Saskatchewan (CAN), University College Dublin (IRE) as well as Trier University (GER), where I also got my PhD. Over the last years I've collaborated with researchers around the globe on a multitude of projects ranging from fundamental research on the neurophysiological underpinnings of cognitive control to investigating how motivation can shape performance and how games can shape motivation. Now I am also part of the Sector Plan Team Societal Transitions and Behaviour Change (my profile).
If you are interested in my research, a collaboration, a thesis project for your degree or an internship feel free to contact me. You can find my publications via GoogleScholar
I accept external internships and thesis students (as second supervisor) as well! For a small student club I run please refer to: The Research Enthusiasts Club
For a copy of my CV, please refer to this link (updated semi-regularly)
In general, I am interested in changing behavior. I want to understand human behavior and experience in order to be able to enhance it in performance-critical situations. In the past my work was funded by several national funding agencies (e.g., German Research Foundation (DFG), Irish Research Council (IRC)), and university-internal grants.
Currently, two major research topics for me are:
Human-Mediated Reality-Interactions: How do certain aspects of virtual agents influence human experiences and behavior? Can we elicit “realistic” behaviors and experiences in a game? What game-design features can be most motivating? How can we immerse people in a virtual environment best? For which goals is co-design in a mediated reality best suited?
Shaping Cognitive Control: How can we optimize processing of and reaction to stimuli (e.g., warning signals)? What are the constraints in which lab research can be translated to the real world? Can we enhance performance reliably? What is the impact of altered neurophysiological states (e.g., via acute stress or non-invasive brain stimulation)?
I'm open for research on other topics; don't hesitate to contact me. Similarly, if you'd like to collaborate: feel free to reach out!
If you're a student: extracurricular projects and internships are possible.
For UT-internal students please contact me through the normal means in case you want to write your thesis project with me or work on an internship project (also extracurricularly).
I accept external internships and thesis students (as second supervisor) as well.
Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.