Maartje C. de Jong
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Maartje C. de Jong |
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Curriculum Vitae |
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| Research Summary | |
| My ultimate research goal is to understand how the brain organizes and interprets visual information to build a meaningful image of the world around us and to understand how this goes wrong in clinical disorders. I am particularly interested in manipulating perception while measuring associated neural responses to unravel how perception is shaped by both external and internal factors. By combining the unique information that different recording techniques provide, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electro-encephalography (EEG) and electro-corticography (ECoG), I aim to get the best possible view of the computations that occur in the brain when we become aware of what we see. Reflecting the multi-disciplinary nature of this research topic, I have worked at various institutes either specialized in clinical research, fundamental research or methodological advances. As an undergraduate I published a project on atypical processing of social visual cues in a clinical population with autism spectrum disorders. During my PhD project I investigated how sensory processing and perceptual memory are intertwined in occipital regions in the brain and I set up an ECoG project on the brain's responses to visual illusions, which I currently still continue. I recently obtained an Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Centre (ABC) Talent grant for a project in which I combine population receptive field mapping (7T fMRI) with a pharmacological intervention that interferes with visual processing to directly link the system-level (brain regions) with the biochemical (neurotransmitters) mechanisms underlying conscious perception. I have a background in Biology and Cognitive Neuroscience (Master's degree with highest distinction). | |
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Academic employment history |
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| 2022-present |
Researcher: How brain regions work together to generate visual consciousness. Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam [see project description]. |
| 2018-2022 |
Postdoctoral researcher: Neural processing of visual illusions. Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging Amsterdam. Collaborations with Amsterdam Brain and Cognition centre (ABC) [see project description] and University Medical Centre Utrecht [see publication]. |
| 2012-2018 |
Postdoctoral researcher: Visuo-tactile integration in near-body space Dept. Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. See [first-author publication] and [senior-author publication] . I was unable to work during much of this period due to severe illness [see interview in national newspaper 'Trouw']. |
| 2007-2012 |
PhD student: How internal and external factors influence visual perception Dept. Physics of Man, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Collaboration with University Medical Centre Utrecht and Cognitive Neuroimaging Lab, Univ. of Birmingham, UK [PDF] [see project summary] |
| 2006 |
Research Assistant: Visual Perception in Autism Chils Psychiatry Dept., University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands [see publication]. |
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Education |
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| 2015 |
Helmholtz Research School Science Faculty, Utrecht University. Courses in MRI data analysis, linear systems analysis, visual neuroscience and scientific writing. [PDF of thesis] [project summary] |
| 2007 |
Neuroscience & Cognition International Prestigious Master (cum laude, GPA=3.9) Medical Faculty, Utrecht University. Two internships: EEG study on visual perception in autism (published in JACAAP) and fMRI study on ambiguous visual perception (part of PhD thesis). Literature thesis with Victor Lamme and Simon van Gaal on subliminal priming. |
| 2005 |
Biology Bachelor Biology Faculty, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Additional courses in psychology, physics, mathematics and teaching. Literature thesis with Rob de Boer and Daniël van der Post on mathematical models that describe collective movement of herbivores. |
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Grants and Awards |
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- VENI grant awarded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), 2021. - Talent grant of the Amsterdam Brain & Cognition centre (ABC), interdisciplinary centre for cognitive scientists, University of Amsterdam, 2019. - 'Dance Your PhD'-contest winner in the category Biology, Science Magazine, AAAS (Am. Ass. for the Advancement of Science), 2010. - Selected for FENS (Forum of European NeuroScience) summer school on visual neuroscience, fully sponsored visit to Rauischholzhausen, Germany, 2010 ([video] has 52K views). - VVB-BMT (Dutch Soc. for Biophysics and Biomedical Technology) travel award for foreign lab visit to Randolph Blake, Vanderbilt Vision Research Center, USA, 2010. - VSS (Vision Sciences Society) travel award, 2010. - Talma-Eijkman Award for outstanding undergraduate research project, 2008. - Prize for best poster presentation at the SWUMC (science event for undergraduates at University Medical Centre Utrecht), 2007. - Selected for Excellent Tracé, discussion group for excellent Biology students with Prof. Dr. ir. Ben Scheres. |
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Selection of Media Appearances |
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- Hersenletsel Magazine, interview, 30 Mar. 2020 (brain injury patient organization)
[link Dutch] - Trouw, interview, 8 Dec. 2018 (national newspaper) [link English] [link Dutch] - NEMO kennislink, interview, 18 Nov. 2015 (online national scientific newspaper) [link Dutch] - Dutch Research Council, website with new research results (NWO Actueel Nieuws MaGW), interview, 5 Oct. 2015 [link Dutch] - ScienceFlash wetenschapsjournaal, Nederlandse Televisie en Radio omroep (NTR), interview, 23 Sept. 2011 (national television) - De Redactie, interview, 21 Sept. 2011 (Belgian radio) [link Dutch] - 'Arts & Auto', magazine of Nat. Soc. Medical Professionals, interview, Nov. 2010 [link Dutch] - 'De Psycholoog', magazine of Dutch Ass. Psychologists (NIP), interview, Nov. 2010 [link Dutch] - CultureLab, NewScientist, 19 Oct. 2010 (international online newspaper) - Viva, interview, 5 Oct. 2010 (popular national women's magazine) [link Dutch] - Trouw, interview, 30 Sept. 2010 (national newspaper) [link Dutch] |
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Other Experience |
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Teaching and Supervision 2017-present Daily supervision of MSc and PhD students. 2008-2011 Teacher of lectures and practicals, Science Faculty, Utrecht University. 2008 Evaluator new education material 'Heart & Veins', Junior College Utrecht. 2007-2013 Daily supervision of BSc and MSc students. 2006-2009 Working as dance instructor and performer. 2004-2006 Mathematics tutor for high school students. 2004 Traineeship as high school biology teacher, Oosterlicht College, Nieuwegein. |
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Administrative Experience 2018 Organizer of Weekend of Science, public event at Spinoza Centre. 2010-2014 Editor of 'Helmholtz Herald', quarterly letter of Helmholtz Institute. 2009-2011 Member of PhD candidate council, Science Faculty, Utrecht University. 2005 Organizer of Neuroscience & Cognition symposium, Utrecht University. |
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Programming and Software Selection of programming and software skills: Matlab (MathWorks), Presentation (Neurobehavioral Systems), Mathematica (Wolfram Research), Photoshop & Illustrator (Adobe), BrainVision Analyzer (Brain Products), BrainVoyager (Brain Innovation), SPSS (IBM), Micorsoft Office. |
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Publications |
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See Publications tab.
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