Team
Team
Dr AmirHussein Abdolalizadeh Saleh
https://uol.de/biologische-psychologie/team
Education:
MD at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Research Background:
Identification of the neurobiological underpinnings of neurological and psychiatric disorders –
Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, autism – using
neuroimaging tools including diffusion and functional MRI
Current Project: His current focus at RTG is on predicting the optimal neuromodulation and its outcomes in patients with Parkinson’s disease using various statistical and imaging analytical methods.
Link to Scholar: scholar.google.com/citations
Linda Bergmann
https://uol.de/amt/mitarbeiter/linda-bergmann
P4: Sensor-based tracking of upper limb use in domestic environments
PI: Hein
Collaborator: Kranczioch
Education:
(2023 - present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Rebekah Brückner
https://uol.de/biologische-psychologie/team
P6: Combining cognitive training and tACS in stroke patients to improve interference control
PI: Özyurt
Collaborators: Herrmann, Thiel
Education:
(2022 - present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2018 - 2021) Master of Science in Neurocognitive Psychology, University of Oldenburg
(2013 - 2016) Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California Berkeley
Research Background:
MEG, EEG, MRI and tACS techniques, auditory processing, stroke rehabilitation
Current Project: Combining cognitive training and tACs in stroke patients to improve interference control
Jennifer Decker
https://uol.de/neuropsychologie/team/jennifer-decker-phd-candidate
P3: Motor imagery neurofeedback training at home for upper-limb motor recovery in stroke and associated changes in cortical motor-prefrontal functional connectivity
PI: Kranczioch
Collaborators: Thiel, Grefkes
Education:
(2022 - present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Research Background:
Motor imagery, Neurofeedback, Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), Motor and cognitive assessment, Stroke patients
Repeated practice of movement sequences enables these movements to be learnt and perfected. A similar effect can be achieved simply by imagining these movements, as the activity in the relevant brain areas overlaps significantly. This type of motor imagery (MI) training allows individuals with motor impairments (e.g., stroke patients) to work on improving their actual motor skills at a cognitive level and is therefore promising in the context of neural rehabilitation. To provide feedback on performance during practice, additional neurofeedback (NF) can be provided based on individual brain activity during practice, often using EEG. This allows for real-time objective error analysis as well as correction, so that neural activity is specifically modulated.
Current Project: In this cross-subject multiple baseline study, extensive testing of motor function and cognition, as well as structural and functional imaging using EEG and MRI, will be carried out before and after four weeks of MI-NF training. The aim is to further investigate the effects of intensive home-based MI-NF training on the connectivity of motor and prefrontal areas and on the recovery of upper limb motor function in stroke patients.
Motahare Delbari
https://uol.de/neuropsychologie/team
P2: TMS-induced EEG responses for the characterisation of brain network integrity
PI: Debener, Grefkes
Collaborators: Herrmann
Education:
(2023 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Yan Deng
https://uol.de/biologische-psychologie/team
P10: Noradrenergic and cholinergic modulation of functional connectivity related to motor performance and interference resolution in older volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease
Principal Investigator: Thiel
Collaborators: Witt, Grefkes
Education:
(2022–present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Tea Gjishti
P19: Comparing transcranial alternating current stimulation with EEG neurofeedback
Principal Investigators: Herrmann, Kranczioch
Education:
(2025 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Paul Grupe
https://uol.de/psychologie/statistik/paul-grupe
P8: Monitoring far-transfer effects of neuromodulation and cognitive training on interference control in daily activities following a stroke using experience sampling methods
Principal Investigator: Andrea Hildebrandt
Collaborators: Brütt, Özyurt, Kranczioch
Education:
(2023 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(10/2021 – 09/2023) MSc in Neurocognitive Psychology, University of Oldenburg
(09/2018 – 08/2021) BSc in Psychology, Leiden University, Netherlands
Shari Hiltner
P3: Motor imagery neurofeedback training at home for upper-limb motor recovery in stroke and associated changes in cortical motor-prefrontal functional connectivity
Principal Investigator: Kranczioch
Collaborators: Thiel, Grefkes
Education:
(2025 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Sina Khajei
https://uol.de/en/applied-neurocognitive-psychology/team/sina-khajei-msc
P7: Brain mechanisms of cognitive interference in the coordination of realistic action sequences in virtual reality
PI: Rieger
Collaborators: Hein
Education:
(2024 - present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Thuy Tien Mai
P17: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for patients with Parkinson’s disease at home
Principal Investigator: Herrmann
Collaborators: Roheger
Education:
(2025 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Lea Mais
P1: The role of the prefrontal cortex in motor recovery following a stroke
Principal Investigator: Grefkes
Collaborators: Debener, Kranczioch
Education:
(2023 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Sophie Paape
P18: Implicit assessment of dual-task interference
Principal Investigator: Debener
Collaborators: Hein, Witt
Education:
(2025 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Lara Papin
https://uol.de/neuropsychologie/team/lara-papin-phd-candidate-1
P12: Gait-related brain activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A mobile EEG study and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation
Principal Investigator: Debener
Collaborators: Witt, Hein
Education:
(2022 - present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Wolf Pink
https://uol.de/ambulantes-assessment-psychologie/team
P5: Frequency-specific neurofeedback to promote interference reduction in memory consolidation
PI: Roheger, Kranczioch
Collaborators: Notbohm
Education:
(2024 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2018 – 2024) Master of Science in Neurocognitive Psychology, University of Oldenburg
(2014 – 2018) Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Trier
Research Background:
EEG, neurofeedback, sonification
Lena Pinkert
https://uol.de/biologische-psychologie/team
P10: Cholinergic modulation of functional connectivity related to motor performance and interference resolution in older volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease
PI: Thiel
Collaborators: Witt
Education:
(2024 - present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Selma Polte
https://uol.de/ambulantes-assessment-psychologie/team
P15: Transcranial Pulse Stimulation: Neuro-navigated ultrasound-based brain stimulation to treat cognitive
deficits in Parkinson’s disease.
Principal Investigator: Roheger
Collaborators: Herrmann, Witt, Thiel
Education:
(2024 - present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Foroogh Razavi
https://uol.de/allgemeine-psychologie/mitarbeiter
P9: Interference resolution in older volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease
PI: Herrmann
Collaborators: Witt
Education:
(2024 - present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Luisa Schmidt
https://uol.de/neurologie/mitarbeiter
P11: Effectiveness of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on motor performance and interference resolution in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Principal Investigator: Witt
Collaborators: Thiel, Debener
Education:
(2022–present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Evgenii Shvedovskii
https://uol.de/humanmedizin/abteilungen/universitaetsklinik-kjpp/team
P16: Interference control across the lifespan: bridging neurological and psychiatric rehabilitation
PI: Thiel
Collaborators: Hildebrandt
External collaborator: Prof. Dr Yulia Golub
Education and Work:
(2024 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2023 – 2024) Clinical Neuropsychologist, Child Development Centre “Jo-Ha-Ku” (Georgia)
(2014 – 2023) Research Fellow at the Laboratory of Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Research Centre (Russia)
(2009 – 2014) Diploma in Clinical Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education (Russia)
Research interests•
Cognitive impairments in psychiatric and neurological conditions•
Substance use disorders•
Neuropsychological assessment•
Autism spectrum disorders
Emelie Wienecke
https://uol.de/rehaforschung/mitarbeiter
P13: How to translate neuromodulation into routine care?
Principal Investigator: Brütt
Collaborators: Hildebrandt, Hein
Education:
(2024 – present) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Miguel Contreras Altamirano
PI: Karsten Witt
https://uol.de/neurologie/team
Education:
(2025 – present) PhD associated with the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Dr Hadis Imani
Principal Investigator: Witt
Expertise and Background
I hold a Diploma in Psychology and Clinical Neuroscience and a PhD in Neuroscience. My work centres on Clinical Movement Science, focusing on motor learning, movement analysis, and motor development across the lifespan and in people with neurological conditions.
Research Focus
My primary research objective is to clarify how motor control, brain function, and cognitive processes work together during movement, and to explain the differences in how individuals learn motor skills. By identifying the behavioural, cognitive, and neural factors that shape sensorimotor learning, I seek to explain why some people respond well to training whilst others do not. A major pillar of my research investigates the therapeutic potential of non-invasive brain and neurostimulation techniques to modulate neural activity and behaviour, particularly in the context of ageing.
Translational Goal
I aim to advance our understanding of how these processes interact in health and disease. My ultimate goal is to translate this knowledge into personalised, evidence-based therapeutic strategies that enhance functional performance and dramatically improve the quality of life for individuals affected by neurological conditions.
Paria Jahansa
Principal Investigator: Adele Diederich
Education:
(2022 – present) PhD affiliated with the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2018 – 2021) MSc in Mathematical Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, Iran
Research Background:
Bayesian mixture models for clustering and data mining
of Big Data, including time series, regression, data mining, and multivariate analysis
. With nearly a decade of experience utilising statistical learning methods with the R programming language, I am always keen to broaden my knowledge and explore practical applications of statistics in interdisciplinary projects.
Current Project: A DFG-funded project focused on testing race models for the stop signal task using the copula approach. This project has enabled me to expand my knowledge and experience in the field of statistics, particularly regarding copula functions, and has provided me with valuable opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and experts in the field of mathematical psychology.
Franziska Kiene
PI: Mandy Roheger
Education:
2022–present: PhD student in Ambulatory Assessment in Psychology, University of Oldenburg
2020–2022: MSc in Psychology, University of Lübeck
Melanie Klapprott
https://uol.de/neuropsychologie/team/melanie-klapprott-phd-candidate
Principal Investigator: Stefan Debener
Thesis Project: Effects of different acute sport interventions on memory performance and (neuro-)physiological correlates
Education:
(2023 – present) PhD affiliated with the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2020 – 2023) MSc in Neurocognitive Psychology, University of Oldenburg
Katharina Meier
https://uol.de/neurologie/team
PI: Witt
Education:
(2022 – present) PhD (Dr. med. Excellence programme) associated with the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2018 – present) Medical Sciences, University of Oldenburg
Current Project: We are investigating transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation and analysing the effects of this neuromodulation procedure in healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson’s disease. In the study, I am primarily focusing on analysing pupil size, salivary alpha-amylase and adverse events. My aim is to continue pursuing this line of research in the future.
Luca Marie Reinema
MD Scholarship Fellow
https://uol.de/hals-nasen-ohren-heilkunde
PI: Radeloff, Herrmann
Education:
(Jan 2025 – Jun 2025) MD Scholarship from the RTG Neuromodulation
(2019 – present) studying Medical Sciences at the University of Oldenburg
Current Project: Improving the side effect profile of alternating current (AC) stimulation of the ear through appropriate placement of the return electrode
Dr Johannes Stalter, MD
https://uol.de/neurologie/johannes-stalter
PI: Witt
Research Background:
Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) is a new method for non-invasively stimulating deep brain
regions. The idea behind this is to transmit two very high frequencies that do not interfere with brain activity; these frequencies are slightly different (e.g. 2 kHz and 2.1 kHz) and overlap in the region of interest (ROI) within deep brain regions such as the basal ganglia. In this way, the frequencies cancel each other out, leaving only the difference between the two frequencies (in this example, 0.1 kHz) to target the ROI. This frequency then stimulates the deep-seated regions. Overlying cortical layers are not affected by this technique. The current is delivered via electrodes placed on the participants’ scalps. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of tTIS in an animal model and its safety in humans. The studies of this application extend the research question to a proof of principle of tTIS in a disease model, namely Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Current Project: In this project, tTIS will be applied for the first time in PD patients. One major symptom complex comprises the motor symptoms, which are caused by changes in neuronal oscillations in the basal ganglia, specifically the putamen. Another aspect of this disease involves non-motor symptoms such as apathy, which is characterised by a lack of motivation. This is thought to be caused by altered oscillations in the region of the nucleus accumbens.
To ensure precise stimulation, we will simulate the stimulation at an individual level using personal MRI scans. In the second phase, the two distinct aspects of this disease will be investigated. First, we will stimulate the participants’ putamen. Changes in motor performance will be measured using a finger-tapping task, which is analysed by a 3D video camera system. A further sequential finger-tapping task is performed to measure motor learning. Secondly, the nucleus accumbens will be stimulated at a gamma frequency to enhance effort-reward behaviour and thereby modulate motivation. This is tested using a well-established motivation task, in which participants must squeeze a hand grip to earn rewards. The studies will be accompanied by a standardised safety assessment. Using a crossover real- or sham-stimulation design, the impact of tTIS on motor and non-motor symptoms will be investigated in order to assess feasibility, safety and provide an initial proof of concept for tTIS in treating motor and non-motor aspects of a neurodegenerative disease.
