Overview of our latest and upcoming PhD defences
May 2026
Stan van Boxel | June 8, 2026 | 16 hrs.
The vestibular implant: From electrophysiology to fitting.
Supervisor: Prof. dr. R. van de Berg, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisor: Dr. E. Devocht, Maastricht University
Selçuk Peker | June 10, 2026 | 10 hrs.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Skull Base Tumors. Focus on Schwannomas, Meningiomas and Cushing’s Disease.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Y. Temel, Maastricht University; Prof. Dr. D. Kunst, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisor: Dr. D. Eekers, Maastricht University
Daniël João Kreiter | June 15, 2026 | 13 hrs.
Spinal cord lesions in multiple sclerosis: Imaging and treatment monitoring.
Supervisor: Prof. dr. R. Hupperts, Zuyderland MC & Maastricht University
Co-Supervisor: Dr. O.H.H. Gerlach, Zuyderland MC & Maastricht University
Qingfeng Wen | June 16, 2026 | 13 hrs.
An Integrative miRNA Approach to Alzheimer's Disease: From Peripheral Biomarkers to Central Brain Mechanisms.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. H. Smeets, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisors: Dr. J. Briedé, Maastricht University; Dr. J. Krauskopf, Maastricht University
Irene Weltens | June 19, 2026 | 13 hrs.
Beyond the patient: Unraveling Staff and Ward Dynamics in aggression in psychiatry.
Supervisor: Prof. dr. T. van Amelsvoort, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisors: Dr. M. Bak, Maastricht University; Dr. M. Drukker, Maastricht University
Max Keizer | June 23, 2026 | 13 hrs.
Surgical and radiotherapeutic nuances in skull base tumors.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Y. Temel, Maastricht University; Prof. Dr. D. Kunst, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisor: Dr. K. Hovinga, Maastricht University
May 2026
Britt Arets | May 6, 2026 | 13 hrs.
Exploring thymic autoimmunity and complement-based interventions in myasthenia gravis.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. P. Martinez-Martinez, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisors: Dr. M. Losen, Maastricht University Dr. M. Mané-Damas, Maastricht University
Valentin Laroche | May 7, 2026 | 10 hrs.
Blooming hope: A Computational Autopsy of the Aging Brain and Alzheimer’s Dementia.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. D. van den Hove, Maastricht University; Prof. Dr. K. Lunnon, University of Exeter
Co-Supervisors: Dr. E. Pishva, Maastricht University; Dr. R. Cavill, Maastricht University
Julie Schulkens | 7 May 2026 | 16 hrs.
Towards optimized pharmacotherapy in older adults with personality disorders A clinical and empirical exploration.
Supervisors: Prof. dr. F. Verhey, Maastricht University; Prof. dr. S. Van Alphen, Mondriaan Ouderen / Vrije Universiteit Brussel / Maastricht University
Co-Supervisor: Dr. S. Sobczak, Mondriaan Ouderen / Maastricht University
Reine Ramaekers | May 20, 2026 | 13 hrs
MIND THE MAP: Navigating mental health treatment with stakeholders on board.
Supervisor: Prof. dr. K. Schruers, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisors: Dr. N. Leibold, Maastricht University; Dr. D. van Dijk, PsyQ Haaglanden
April 2026
Vincent Paquin | April 2, 2026 | 13 hrs.
Trusty Bits: Psychosis and Trust in the Digital Age
Supervisors: Dr. S. Gülöksüz, Maastricht University; Prof. Dr. A. Pinkham, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA
Co-Supervisor: Dr. B. D. Lin, Maastricht University
Yidan Zhang | April 7, 2026 | 10 hrs.
Genetic and lifestyle risk factors for brain health and dementia: insights from cognitive, neuroimaging, and longitudinal data.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. B. Rutten, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisors: Dr. G. Blokland, Maastricht University; Dr. S. Gülöksüz, Maastricht University
Mélissa Colin | April 7, 2026 | 15.45 hrs.
Double Doctoral Degree Maastricht University – Université de Lorraine
Impact of an Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Biased Agonist on Cerebral Circulation: Preclinical Insights into Health and Disease.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. F. Dupuis, Université de Lorraine; Dr. W. Matthijs Blankesteijn, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisors: Dr. S. Foulquier, Maastricht University; Dr. C. Perrin-Sarrado, Université de Lorraine
Maite van der Miesen | April 9, 2026 | 13 hrs.
Tracking pain over time: Individual differences in habituation and sensitization to pain.
Supervisors: Prof. dr. D. Linden, Maastricht University; Prof. dr. B. Joosten, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisors: Dr. C. Vossen, MUMC+; Dr. J. Peters,Maastricht University
Anastasia Galkina | April 16, 2026 | 10 hrs.
Double Doctoral Degree Universita Degli Studi Di Milano-Bicocca– MaastrichtUniversity
Dear Diary: Advances in Experience Sampling Methodology Studies.
Supervisors: Dr. W. Viechtbauer, Maastricht University; Prof. dr. M. Perugini, University of Milano-Bicocca
Co-Supervisor: Dr. G. Costantini, University of Milano-Bicocca
Sander Osstyn | April 17, 2026 | 10 hrs.
From burden to balance: Health-economic evaluations of interventions in dementia and acquired brain injury care and reflections on methodological transparency.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. M. de Vugt, Maastricht University; Prof. Dr. S. Evers, Maastricht University
Co-Supervisor: Dr. R. Handels, Maastricht University