Maartje C. de Jong
Curriculum Vitae

Research Summary
Visual experiences are inherently subjective. Visual illusions provide striking examples, when our experience conflicts with the features of the actual image. I am a neuroscientist interested in how our brain processes what we see. I want to understand how this influences our thoughts, behaviors and perception of the world around us; and how this goes wrong in clinical disorders.

Understanding the brain requires a multidisciplinary approach. I have worked at various institutes either specialized in clinical research, fundamental research or methodological advances. As reflected in my collaborations (see [Publications]), I enjoy working with specialists from different backgrounds. I also like teaching and supervision and I am co-promotor of PhD students.

I use various techniques to measure brain activity while my participants look at images, movies or optical illusions. These techniques include 7-Tesla functional MRI, intracranial recordings in humans and electro- & magneto-encephalography. By combining the unique information each techniques provides, I aim to get the best possible view of the computations that occur in the brain when we become aware of what we see.

I also have first-hand experience with being a neurological patient (see interviews in national newspapers [Trouw] and [AD (in Dutch)]). Both as a neuroscientist and as a neurological patient I have experienced that perseverance and a positive mindset help to reach full potential.

Academic employment history
2018-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].
2012-2018 Postdoctoral researcher: Visuo-tactile integration in near-body space
Dept. Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
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
2006 Research Assistant: Visual Perception in Autism
Chils Psychiatry Dept., University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Education
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
highest distinction, GPA=3.9; Dutch grading system: 8.8
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.

Grants and Awards
- 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 ([video] has 52K views).
- Fully sponsored attendance FENS (Forum of European NeuroScience) summer school on visual
  neuroscience, Germany, 2010.
- 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.

Selection of Media Appearances
- Algemeen Dagblad / Brabants Dagblad, interview, 21 Aug. 2024 (national and regional
  newspaper) [link Dutch]
- 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]
- Various short interviews in 2010 about a video-recorded dance I made about my PhD project,
  for example in Viva (popular national women's magazine), Arts & Auto (magazine for Medical
  Professionals), De Psycholoog (magazine Dutch Association Psychologists NIP) and CultureLab
  NewScientist (international online newspaper) [see more]
- Trouw, interview, 30 Sept. 2010 (national newspaper) [link Dutch]

Teaching and Supervision Experience
2022                  Series of lectures about the brain at a primary school (children aged 6-12 y/o).
2017-present    Co-promotor of 3 PhD students; Daily supervision of MSc and PhD students.
2017-present    Lecturing at University of Amsterdam, VU University and Utrecht University.
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.

Publications
See Publications tab.