Geert-Jan Will
Geert-Jan Will is an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology. His research seeks to understand how social adversity may lead to mental health problems. He received a B.Sc. in Psychology and an M.Sc. in Neuroscience from Utrecht University. He did a PhD supervised by Eveline Crone and Berna G眉ro臒lu at Leiden University where examined the impact of social rejection on the adolescent brain. During postdoctoral training in the group of Ray Dolan at University College London, he explored neural mechanisms that contribute to fluctuations in self-esteem when people learn what others think of them. He was awarded several research grants (e.g., Marie Sk艂odowska-Curie fellowship, KNAW Sara van Dam project grant) to return to Leiden to work with Bernet Elzinga, investigating the neural basis of self-esteem in adolescents with depression or a history of childhood trauma. At Utrecht University, he teaches courses in Clinical Psychology, Social Neuroscience and courses emphasizing the value of interdisciplinary research. To maximize the clinical and societal impact of his research, Geert-Jan regularly communicates his findings to young people, their parents and mental health professionals during science communication events.