Short bio 

I was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, and I obtained my master's degree in theoretical and experimental psychology at Ghent University in 2007. After my studies, I completed my PhD (10/2007 - 09/2011) as a member of the LipLab, under supervision of prof. dr. Geert Crombez (Ghent University) and in close collaboration with prof. dr. Jan De Houwer (Ghent University) and dr. Bruno Verschuere (Ghent University, now at the University of Amsterdam). Between 10/2011 and 04/2013, I worked as an honorary post-doctoral fellow associated with Ghent University while living in the Republic of South Africa. Upon my return to Belgium, I had a few brief post-doctoral appointments at Ghent University, and on 01/01/2014, I started a two-year appointment at the University of Amsterdam. As a post-doctoral researcher in affect regulation at the departments of developmental psychology and pedagogical and educational sciences, I collaborate closely with prof. dr. Reinout Wiers (ADAPT lab), prof. dr. Susan Bögels (UvA minds), and dr. Elske Salemink. 

Research interest 

Most of my research concerns the relation between attentional bias for threat and fear and anxiety. More specifically, through the use of attentional bias modification (ABM) training, I investigate whether attentional bias for threat is a cause of fear and anxiety. If attentional bias causally influences fear and anxiety, then reducing attentional bias through training should reduce fear and anxiety. Although there are some encouraging findings in this field, my research has also revealed that there are certain limitations to ABM in the context of fear and anxiety. At the University of Amsterdam, I will continue my research on cognitive training, comparing the effectiveness of attention training and mindfulness as means to reduce psychopathology, both in adolescents and young adults. 

Besides my main focus on attentional bias in fear and anxiety, I have an interest in the psychology of lying and lie detection (in collaboration with dr. Bruno Verschuere). I also have ongoing research collaborations with dr. Helen Tibboel and dr. Adriaan Spruyt (both at Ghent University) on the effects of stimulus salience in the attentional blink task and cognitive processes in addiction. 

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