Graduations

January 26, 2026
Robert Staeck, PhD in Health Sciences (Psychology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Sofia C. Zambrano
Thesis: "Clinician-Patient Communication and Relational Aspects in the Context of Serious Illness"

February 12, 2026
Fabio Simon Ryser, PhD in Health Sciences (Medicine)
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Urs Steiner
Thesis: "Molecular endotyping and clinical translation of biomarker signatures in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders"

March 26, 2026
Artemisa Gogollari, PhD in Health Sciences (Applied Health Sciences)
Institute for Medical Education (IML)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Sissel Guttormsen
Thesis: "Implementing effective digital learning and teaching in higher education beyond the Covid-19 pandemic"

March 30, 2026
Marie-Anna Sedlinská, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis advisor: PD Dr. Anja Gysin Maillart
Thesis: "Psychological Pain in Suicidality: Nonverbal and Interpersonal Process Mechanisms of Therapeutic Change in Suicide Specific Therapy ASSIP"

April 23, 2026
Aleksandra Tuleja, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Department of Angiology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Yvonne Döring
Thesis: "Clinical, Imaging, and Molecular Characterization of Extracranial Vascular Malformations"

April 28, 2026
Erik Fink, PhD in Health Sciences (Psychology)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Michael Kaess
Thesis: "Improving the risk stratification and suicide prediction in adolescents with non-suicidal-self-injury using neurobiological markers"

May 13, 2026
Ola Hysaj, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Nicolas Rodondi
Thesis: "The associations among thyroid function testing, age, and cardiovascular disease."

May 20, 2026
Alexander James Smith, PhD in Health Sciences (Applied Health Sciences)
Department of Forensic Psychiatry (FPD)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Michael Liebrenz
Thesis: "Psychopathology and dark personality traits in politics"

February 24, 2025
Bernhard Matthias Siepen, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. David Seiffge
Thesis: "Deciphering outcomes in intracerebral haemorrhage associated with different types of oral anticoagulants"

February 26, 2025
Leonie Daria Schreck, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Claudia Kuehni
Thesis: "Participatory research in primary ciliary dyskinesia: the Living with PCD study"

February 27, 2025
Nicole Schönenberger, PhD in Health Sciences (Pharmacy)
Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Carla Meyer-Massetti
Thesis: "Exploring Risk Factors, Prevalence and Mitigation Strategies for Preventable Medication-Related Readmissions in Older Adults with the Subsequent Development of a Screening Tool"

Februrary 27, 2025
Natalia Ortega Herrero, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Nicolas Rodondi
Thesis: "Estimating the causal effect of dairy intake on cognitive function using observational data"

March 3, 2025
Morin Beyeler, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Simon Jung
Thesis: "USE OF BIOMARKERS IN ISCHEMIC STROKES: THE PARTICULAR CASE OF CANCER-RELATED STROKES"

March 11, 2025
Farnaz Khatami, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Pedro Marques-Vidal
Thesis: "Iron biomarkers and status as potential mediating factors contributing to sex differences in cardiometabolic diseases"

March 20, 2025
Adrià Ramírez Mena, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Gilles Wandeler
Thesis: "Understanding the Hepatitis B Continuum of Care to Inform Elimination Strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa"

April 4, 2025
Ursina Wernli, PhD in Health Sciences (Pharmacy)
Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Carla Meyer-Massetti
Thesis: "Optimizing drug therapy in palliative care through pharmacists' involvement with a focus on prescribing practices and off-label use"

April 8, 2025
Valerie Aponte Ribero, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Nicolas Rodondi
Thesis: "Cardiovascular disease among older adults: association with diabetes, risk prediction, and statin discontinuation"

April 25, 2025
Laura Gallucci, PhD in Health Sciences (Psychology)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: PD Dr. Roza Umarova
Thesis: "Post-stroke cognitive impairment: risk factors and impact of cognitive reserve"

May 2, 2025
Samuel Elias Christen, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Evangelia Liakoni
Thesis: "Factors influencing Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in E-cigarettes as Smoking Cessation Tool"

May 21, 2025
Marta Menéndez Granda, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Jessica Peter
Thesis: "Prospective memory and healthy ageing: neural substrates and the influence of motivation as well as task-related factors"

May 22, 2025
Sreemanjari Kandhasamy, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Alice Panchaud
Thesis: "Potential Pharmacy services for community pharmacies: A focus on substance use in pregnancy"

June 11, 2025
Anne-Christianne Kentgens, PhD in Health Sciences (Medicine)
Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Philipp Latzin
Thesis: "Lung function testing in paediatric respiratory diseases"

June 12, 2025
Roberta Borg-Bartolo, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
School of Dental Medicine (ZMK)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Hendrik Meyer-Lückel
Thesis: "Oral Health and its Related Factors in Different Age Groups"

June 25, 2025
Michel Bosshard, PhD in Health Sciences (Psychology)
Institute for Medical Education (IML)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Christoph Berendonk
Thesis: "Thriving Under Stress: Optimizing Psychophysiological Stress Responses and Communication Performance in Breaking Bad News Training"

July 3, 2025
Rodrigo Soria Maldonado, PhD in Health Sciences (Medicine)
Department of Cardiology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Stefano F. Rimoldi
Thesis: "Pulmonary hypertension and underlying mechanisms in chronic mountain sickness"

August 11, 2025
Henning Jürgen Jean Nilius, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Michael Nagler
Thesis: "Improving the clinical value of laboratory tests using machine learning algorithms: Perioperative hemostatic disorders as a case study"

September 1, 2025
Miriam Stüble, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Jochen Kindler
Thesis: "The Clinical High Risk for Psychosis State – Neurocognitive & Clinical Aspects"

September 2, 2025
Natascha Schütz Hämmerli, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Christoph Aebi
Thesis: "Transition to Home after Preterm Birth: Evaluation of an Advanced Practice Nurse - led Model of Transitional Care"

September 2, 2025
Carlotta Louisa Schneider, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dierks
Thesis: "Sleep-wake perception: New insights and clinical relevance"

September 12, 2025
Nadja Zimmermann, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis advisor: PD Dr. Yosuke Morishima
Thesis: "Neural Network Dynamics in the Clinical High Risk State for Psychosis and a Novel Approach to Modulate Plasticity through Brain Stimulation"

September 29, 2025
Natascha Stoffel, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, University of Fribourg
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Selma Aybek
Thesis: "The Role of Oxytocin and Interoception in Functional Neurological Disorders"

October 7, 2025
Eric Lenouvel, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Stefan Klöppel
Thesis: "Fear of Falling in Older Adults: Cognitive Behavioral Approaches"

October 7, 2025
Claudia Salerno, PhD in Health Sciences (Dentistry)
Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine (ZMK)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Hendrik Meyer-Lückel
Thesis: "Non-invasive treatment of Initial Caries Lesions"

October 13, 2025
Werner Krammer, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Roland Wiest
Thesis: "Sensing form - finger gaiting as key to tactile object exploration"

October 20, 2025
Sophie Sidonie Meyer, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Annika Frahsa
Thesis: "Public Health Researchers' Roles in Tension during Public Health Emergencies. A Qualitative, Actor-Centered Approach"

October 24, 2025
Julian Jakob, PhD in Health Sciences (Medicine)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Reto Auer
Thesis: "Effects of vaping on respiratory health in adolescents"

November 5, 2025
Thomas Vetsch, PhD in Health Sciences (Applied Health Sciences)
Department of Anesthesiology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Matthias Wilhelm
Thesis: "Prehabilitation: The Challenge of Patient Selection and Optimization Before Elective Major Surgery"

November 12, 2025
Philippa Jörger, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Claudia Kuehni
Thesis: "Screening for hearing loss after childhood cancer"

November 26, 2025
Carmen Wyss, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Applied Research and Development, Division of Midwifery, Department of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Jennifer Inauen
Thesis: "Childbirth Care Decisions in the Context of Maternal Obesity: Understanding Pathways, Identifying Goals of Care, and Evaluating Childbirth Options"

December 2, 2025
Marc Dupuis, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Insitute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Alice Panchaud
Thesis: "Antidepressant use during pregnancy: Prevalence, trajectories of care and social determinants"

December 5, 2025
Aljoscha Noël Goetschi, PhD in Health Sciences (Pharmacy)
Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Carla Meyer-Massetti
Thesis: "Advancing chronic non-cancer pain care in older adults: integrating clinical pharmacy and epidemiologic perspectives"

December 9, 2025
Elena Sophie Wenz, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Claudio Bassetti
Thesis: "New biomarkers in central disorders of hypersomnolence – Multimodal phenotyping and a potential surrogate marker for hypocretin-1"

December 11, 2025
Nora Carmen Geiser, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurorehabilitation, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Nyffeler
Thesis: "Cross-modal interaction after brain lesion – the influence of auditory stimulation on visual neglect"

December 15, 2025
Anastasia Maklennan, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
Department of Preventive Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine (ZMK)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Henrik Meyer-Lückel
Thesis: "RESTORATIVE TREATMENT DECISIONS AND LONG-TERM SURVIVAL OF ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH: CLINICAL EVIDENCE, CROSS-NATIONAL SURVEYS, AND GLOBAL INSIGHTS INTO ROOT CARIES PREVALENCE"

December 18, 2025
Maša Žarković, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis advisor: Prof. Dr. Claudia Kuehni
Thesis: "Pulmonary health after childhood cancer: function, symptoms, and modifiable risks"

December 19, 2025
Lara Marie Aschenbrenner, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis advisor: PD Dr. Anja Gysin-Maillart
Thesis: "Differentiating Suicidal States through Implicit Cognition and the Intersection of Automatic, Affective, and Interpersonal Mechanisms"

January 11, 2024
Diana Buitrago Garcia, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Nicola Low
Thesis: "The science of prevalence: development of an evidence-based tool to assess the risk of bias in prevalence studies"

January 18, 2024
Marvin Bundo, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Ana Maria Vicedo Cabrera
Thesis: "The impact of ambient temperature on mental health"

January 30, 2024
Janine Bühler, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Selma Aybek
Thesis: "Identification of Demographic Risk Factors and the Potential of Neuromodulation in Functional Neurological Disorder."

February 9, 2024
Andrea Roccuzzo, PhD in Health Sciences (Dentistry)
Klinik für Zahnerhaltung, Präventiv- und Kinderzahnmedizin
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Guglielmo Campus
Thesis: "Evaluation of the Oral Health conditions (i.e., dental caries, periodontal and peri-implant diseases) in adult subjects"

March 4, 2024
Frauke Conring, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Katharina Stegmayer
Thesis: "Functional Correlates of Paranoia in Schizophrenia"

March 26, 2024
Nadine Schmidt, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Jessica Peter
Thesis: "Cognitive, motivational, and neural correlates of prospective memory in old age"

April 4, 2024
Lorin Begré, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Andri Rauch
Thesis: "Understanding treatment outcomes of HIV/HBV coinfection: A European prospective cohort study"

April 4, 2024
Kirstin Schürch, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Division of Hematology/Oncology and Division of Neuropediatrics, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Regula Everts
Thesis: "Understanding neuropsychological and cerebral late effects and exploring the benefits of training programs in pediatric cancer survivors"

April 24, 2024
Kalongo Hamusonde, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatstics)
Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Andri Rauch
Thesis: "Heterogeneity of sexual behavior and its role in the transmission of sexually transmitted infections in persons with HIV"

June 5, 2024
Céline Zeller, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Klöppel
Thesis: "Multi-night acoustic stimulation improves sleep and memory in older adults with cognitive impairment"

June 21, 2024
Renata Vidonscky Lüthold, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sven Streit
Thesis: "Exploring different aspects related to making and implementing deprescribing decisions in primary care settings"

June 24, 2024
Irina Filchenko, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Claudio Bassetti
Thesis: "The role of sleep in the evolution of cognitive functioning after stroke"

July 1, 2024
Maša Davidović, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
lnstitute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Julia Bohlius
Thesis: "Cancer prevention in women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa"

August 19, 2024
Adnan Mujanović, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Johannes Kaesmacher
Thesis: "Incomplete reperfusion in the era of endovascular therapy"

August 28, 2024
Lum Kastrati, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Lia Bally
Thesis: "Diagnosis and Prediction of Women's Health: Integrating Real-World Data and Meta-Research"

September 9, 2024
Stéphanie Fabienne Perrodin, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Guido Beldi
Thesis: "Core muscle physiotherapy after abdominal surgery: an integrated approach"

September 23, 2024
Tobias Ueli Blatter, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Alexander Leichtle
Thesis: "Personalized Reference Limits from Clinical Cohort Data"

October 17, 2024
Rafael Wespi, PhD in Health Sciences (Psychology)
Notfallzentrum, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Sauter
Thesis: "Breaking the boundaries of reality - Evaluating medical team performance in a virtual reality context"

October 18, 2024
Themis-Areti Andreoti, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Jochen Rössler
Thesis: "Vascular malformations in the era of precision medicine: phenotypic and genotypic characterization"

October 24, 2024
Esther Brill, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Stefan Klöppel
Thesis: "Can computerized cognitive training attenuate cognitive decline in older adults?"

October 28, 2024
Sharon Mitchell, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Education)
Institute for Medical Education (IML)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sissel Guttormsen
Thesis: "Elevating the design of continuing professional development for the healthcare workforce: An evidence-based example using precision medicine"

October 28, 2024
Gaëtan-Romain Joliat, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Department of Visceral Surgery, CHUV
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Markus Schäfer
Thesis: "Short- and long-term outcomes after pancreas surgery: predictability and prognosis"

October 29, 2024
Charlotte Kern, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Felix Hammann
Thesis: "The pharmacology of ivermectin in malaria vector control"

November 12, 2024
Elisabeth Jehli, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Translational Research Center, University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Matthias Grieder
Thesis: "The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) as a key player in anxiety"

November 27, 2024
Deborah Amstutz, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Paul Krack
Thesis: "The Impact of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease"

November 29, 2024
Seyed Ahmad Banihashem Rad, PhD in Health Sciences (Dentistry)
Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Guglielmo Campus
Thesis: "Oral Health, Nudge Theory and Migrants"

December 2, 2024
Emma Marchionatti, PhD in Health Sciences (Veterinary Medicine)
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Adrian Steiner
Thesis: "Preoperative Asepsis and Antimicrobial Resistance in Bovine Surgery: from Surgical Site Infections to Bacterial Characteristics"

December 6, 2024
Tinei Shamu, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Matthias Egger
Thesis: "Emerging challenges in HIV management in the modern antiretroviral therapy era: A Zimbabwean Experience"

December 9, 2024
Baudouin Zongxin Jin, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Roland Wiest
Thesis: "Predict and Monitor Epilepsy After a First Seizure"

December 12, 2024
Emeline Maisonneuve, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Alice Panchaud Monnat
Thesis: "Trends in management, medication and vaccination against COVID-19 in pregnant and lactating women : real-world data analyses"

December 13, 2024
Noushinsadat Ahanchi, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Pedro Marques-Vidal
Thesis: "Iron status/biomarkers as a potential causative factor contributing to menopausal differences in cardiometabolic diseases."

December 13, 2024
Melanie Nuoffer, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Translational Research Center, University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Walther
Thesis: "Psychomotor Slowing in Psychosis - from Measurement to Treatment"

December 20, 2024
Maria Chiara Piani, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas König
Thesis: "Self-Disorder in the Schizophrenia Spectrum - An EEG and fMRI investigation of Pre-Reflective and Reflective Self-Experience"

December 20, 2024
Evgeniya Shalaeva, PhD in Health Sciences (Medicine)
Tashkent Medical Academy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Markus Laimer
Thesis: "Cardiovascular risk and prognosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease with partial foot amputation"

February 3, 2023
Luzia Renggli, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFID)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Andreas Kronenberg
Thesis: "From Hospital-Level to Patient-Level Antibiotic Consumption Data: How Can We Improve Surveillance of Antibiotic Use in the Frame of Antibiotic Stewardship Programmes?"

February 15, 2023
Itodo Ocho, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar H. Franco
Thesis: "Cardiovascular risk in individuals with spinal cord injury"

February 21, 2023
Viktoria Gastens, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Nicolas Rodondi
Thesis: "Personalized preventive care and life expectancy among older multimorbid adults"

February 28, 2023
Niluja Nadesalingam, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Sebastian Walther
Thesis: "Overcoming psychomotor slowing in psychosis. An interventional repetitive TMS-trial"

March 10, 2023
Tasnim Hamza, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Georgia Salanti
Thesis: "Flexible generic framework for evidence synthesis in health technology assessment"

March 13, 2023
Corinne Brunner, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
University Children's Hospital Zurich
Thesis Advisor: Prof. em. Dr. Hansjorg Znoi
Thesis: "Educational interventions for parents of children with atopic dermatitis (The Eduderm study)"

March 17, 2023
Sarah Diezig, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Koenig
Thesis: "The Borderlands of Wakefulness: Tracking the Transition from Reflective Thought to Dream-like Experiences at the Onset of Sleep"

March 20, 2023
Konstantina Chalkou, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Georgia Salanti
Thesis: "Real-world predictions of heterogeneous treatment effects using evidence synthesis for health technology assessment"

March 22, 2023
Christine Adamus, PhD in Health Sciences (Applied Health Sciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dierks
Thesis: "Independent Supported Housing for non-homeless individuals with severe mental illness"

March 24, 2023
Belinda Varaidzo Chihota, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Gilles Wandeler
Thesis: "Epidemiology of Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) risk factors among people living with and without HIV in Southern Africa"

March 24, 2023
Cristina Mesa Vieira, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health Sciences)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar H Franco.
Thesis: "Psychosocial risk factors of mental disorders and cardiovascular disease"

April 5, 2023
Caroline Schneider, PhD in Health Sciences (Sports Medicine)
Preventive Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Prisca Eser
Thesis: "Exercise training to combat cardiovascular toxicity in patients with cancer undergoing Anthracyline-based chemotherapy"

April 27, 2023
Yasmin Salem Mahmoud, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: PD. Dr. med. Sophie Yammine
Thesis: "Early-life exposures and lung development: The impact of perinatal risk factors on later lung function"

April 27, 2023
Raphaela Muri, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. phil. Regula Everts
Thesis: "Brain structure and function in adults with phenylketonuria - associations with cognition and metabolic control"

May 5, 2023
Magdalena Camenzind, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. René Müri
Thesis: "Creativity after focal brain lesions -  About neural correlates of creativity"

May 8, 2023
Daria Olena Berger, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Claudia Kuehni
Thesis: "Taking the Next Steps in Epidemiological Strategies to Predict Childhood Respiratory Disease"

May 15, 2023
Evan de Schrijver, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)/Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera
Thesis: "Climate Change and Health Impact"

May 24, 2023
Maria Christina Mallet, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Kuehni
Thesis: "Epidemiology of childhood cough in Switzerland"

May 24, 2023
Belén Rodriguez, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Werner Z'Graggen
Thesis: "Pathophysiology and treatment options in postural tachycardia syndrome and critical illness myopathy"

June 19, 2023
Simone Denzer, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Institute of Psychology
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Fred W. Mast
Thesis: "EEG Microstates Associated with Reality Monitoring during Dream-Like Experiences: An Immersive Virtual Reality Approach"

June 28, 2023
Sven Strebel, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Kuehni
Thesis: "Hearing loss after childhood cancer treatment"

July 10, 2023
Magda Rocio Gamba Rincon, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar H. Franco
Thesis: "Role of Dietary Phytochemical Intake in Cardiometabolic Health"

July 10, 2023
Marilyne Menassa, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar H. Franco
Thesis: "Defining Healthy Ageing: The Role of Ethnicity and Lifestyle Factors"

July 13, 2023
Dante Jr. Salvador, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Taulant Muka
Thesis: "Diabetes mellitus: associations with atherosclerosis, myocardial fibrosis, and implications for heart failure"

August 22, 2023
Heba Al-Alwan, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Nicolas Rodondi
Thesis: "Type 2 diabetes: association with thyroid disease and prevalence of diabetes overtreatment"

September 29, 2023
Victoria Chapellier, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Walther
Thesis: "What contributes to impaired communication in schizophrenia?"

October 20, 2023
Florian Wüthrich, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Walther
Thesis: "An Examination of Psychomotor Retardation in Depression and Schizophrenia"

November 20, 2023
Martina Göldlin, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. David Seiffge
Thesis: "Classifying intracerebral haemorrhage subtypes — MRI-based phaenotype of small vessel disease"

December 4, 2023
Sai Ram, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Education)
Institute of Medical Education (IML)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Dr. Sören Huwendiek
Thesis: "The Changing Landscape of Medical Conferences: Investigating how future conferences can be designed to better cater to attendees' needs"

December 13, 2023
Jacqueline de Jong-Mazairac, PhD in Health Sciences (Physiotherapy)
Department of Urology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Fiona Burkhard
Thesis: "What do we know about abdominal and involuntary Pelvic Floor MuscleContractionsduring a cough and forced expiration as assessed by Visual Observation, Vaginal Palpation and Perineal Ultrasound in Healthy Nulliparous Women?"

December 15, 2023
Carlotta Riebensahm, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Gilles Wandeler
Thesis: "Determinants and progression of liver steatosis among people with HIV"

December 21, 2023
Nicole Gangl, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Katharina Stegmayer
Thesis: "Paranoia in Schizophrenia - A behavioral and neuroimaging study"

April 6, 2022
Nicole Göbel, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. René Müri
Thesis: "Creativity after focal brain lesions – A matter of paradoxical facilitation?"

April 25, 2022
Johanna Manuela Kurz, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Florian Singer
Thesis: "Validity of ventilation inhomogeneity measurements - an evolving biomarker in obstructive lung disease"

April 27, 2022
Sabine Nabecker, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Education)
Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Robert Greif, MME, FERC, FEAMS
Thesis: "Assessment in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training"

May 18, 2022
Michael Seo, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine ISPM
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Orestis Efthimiou
Thesis: "Evidence synthesis methods for personalizing the choice of treatment"

June 2, 2022
Stephanie Maissen, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Clinic for Diabetology, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine & Metabolism (UDEM), Inselspital, Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Regula Everts
Thesis: "Opportunities and Limitations of Research Methods in Clinical Neuropsychology - Insights from Pediatric Stroke and Adult Phenylketonuria"

June 7, 2022
René Alexander Rüegg, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)/BFH
Thesis Advisor: Prof. em. Dr. Thomas Abel
Thesis: "Health Literacy: Determinant of Health or Status Indicator?"

June 14, 2022
Yuly Paulin Mendoza Jaimes, PhD in Health Sciences (Medicine)
Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR)/Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Annalisa Berzigotti
Thesis: "Prognostic stratification in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD)"

June 29, 2022
Marina Wunderlin, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Stefan Klöppel
Thesis: "Acoustic stimulation during Slow Wave Sleep – a tool to counteract cognitive decline?"

July 1, 2022
Judith Jantine Willemijn Van Beek, PhD in Health Sciences (Rehabilitation Sciences)
Neurocenter, Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. phil. Tim Vanbellingen
Thesis: "Precision Work - Innovative Rehabilitation Techniques for Improving Dexterity in Neurological Diseases"

July 08, 2022

Giorgia Grisotto, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar H Franco
Thesis: "Diet and menopause"

August 19, 2022
Nathalia Gonzalez Jaramillo, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar H. Franco
Thesis: "The role of physical activity in established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease"

September 1, 2022
Johannes Kaesmacher, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Urs Fischer
Thesis: "On the value of thrombolysis in contemporary endovascular stroke treatment"

September 8, 2022
Marc-Alexander Heinz Oestreich, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Philipp Latzin
Thesis: "Development and longitudinal assessment of small airway physiology in healthy infants and infants with cystic fibrosis using the multiple-breath washout technique"

October 31, 2022
Thomas Raphael Meinel, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Sciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Simon Jung
Thesis: "Evidence-based cardioaortic imaging after an ischemic stroke"

November 28, 2022
Zayne Milena Roa Díaz, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Oscar H. Franco
Thesis: "The role of menopause and genes in cardiometabolic health"

December 2, 2022
Virginia Chiocchia, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Georgia Salanti
Thesis: "Methods for ranking competing treatments in network meta-analysis"

December 8, 2022
Peter Francis Raguindin, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Taulant Muka
Thesis: "Determinants of cardiometabolic health in spinal cord injury"

February 1, 2021
Lea Wildisen, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Primary Health Care, Lucerne
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Nicolas Rodondi
Thesis: "Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction and Depressive Symptoms: A Prospective Evaluation and the Impact and Prevalence of Levothyroxine Therapy"

February 2, 2021
Severin Pinilla, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Education)
Institute for Medical Education (IML)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Dr. Sören Huwendiek
Thesis: "Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) in the Psychiatry Core Clerkship"

February 24, 2021
Eva Hennel, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Education)
Institute for Medical Education (IML)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Sören Huwendiek
Thesis: "Improving Residency Training with the Help of Multisource Feedback"

March 4, 2021
Roger Hilfiker, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Stephan Reichenbach
Thesis: "Determinants of disability in patients with lower limb osteoarthritis"

March 11, 2021
Charlotte Warembourg, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Gertraud Schüpbach
Thesis: "Contribution to free-roaming domestic dog ecology and its impact on infectious disease control"

April 4, 2021
Daniela Anker, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Arnaud Chiolero
Thesis: "Blood pressure and frailty in older adults: description and prediction from population-based data"

April 23, 2021
Katharina Jungo, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), Faculty of Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sven Streit
Thesis: "Optimizing Medication Use in Older Adults with Multimorbidity and Polypharmacy"

April 27, 2021
Katharina Klink, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Universitätsklinik für Alterspsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Faculty of Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Klöppel
Thesis: "The Aging Brain: Neural correlates of episodic memory and their interaction with transcranial electric current stimulation"

April 27, 2021
Christine Krebs, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Klöppel
Thesis: "Forever Young: Innovative ways to assess and counteract cognitive decline"

June 1, 2021
Carole Wagnon, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Klöppel
Thesis: "Modulation of episodic memory with transcranial direct current stimulation and incidental learning"

June 20, 2021
Hamoon Zohdi, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Institute of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (IKIM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med.Ursula Wolf
Thesis: "Effects of exposure to colored light on cerebral and systemic physiology in humans"

June 29, 2021
Antonella Mazzei Abba, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: PD PhD Ben Spycher
Thesis: "Background Ionizing Radiation and the Risk of Childhood Cancer"

July 8, 2021
Leonie Steiner, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. phil. Regula Everts
Thesis: "Functional Brain networks in the healthy young brain and after pediatric stroke: insights from resting-state fMRI"

July 5, 2021
Folly Christophe, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Ben Spycher
Thesis: "Modelling exposure to background ionizing radiation in Switzerland"

September 3, 2021
Valentina Gonzalez, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Steffen Eychmüller
Thesis: "Challenges and gaps delivering palliative care to patients with heart failure"

September 29, 2021
Kathrin Chiffi, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR)/Department of Neurology, Inselspital 
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med.René Müri
Thesis: "Cognitive processes in healthy and stroke subjects, methodological considerations, and the relation to sleep"

December 17, 2020
Kaspar Küng PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Inselspital/BFH
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Jürg Schmidli
Thesis: "Medication Errors in a Swiss University Hospital and the Effect of an Electronically Assisted Medication Preparation and Medication Administration System on Medication Errors (Project e-RAMIS)"

December 3, 2020
Stephan Furger PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Werner Strik
Thesis: "The Domain of Emotion: Neurofunctional Correlates of Affect-Related Personality during Social Face Perception"

November 25, 2020
Thomas Benz PhD in Health Sciences (Rehabilitation Sciences)
Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Human Science
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. phil. nat. Achim Elfering
Thesis: "Health and health-related quality of life in chronic pain patients: Evaluation of interdisciplinary rehabilitation in chronic pain"

September 24, 2020
Brigitte Kaufmann PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research
Clinic for Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Thomas Nyffeler
Thesis: "Behavioural and neuroanatomical correlates of visual attention and response inhibition in neglect"

August 13, 2020

Hallie Batschelet PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. phil. Franz Moggi
Thesis: "Alcohol-Related Cognitive Biases and Inhibitory Control in Alcohol Use Disorder: Modification, Neurophysiological Correlates, and Association with Craving and Relapse"

June 29, 2020
Raphaela Martina Tschümperlin PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. phil. Franz Moggi
Thesis: "The Neurophysiology of Implicit Alcohol Associations in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders: Does Gender matter?"

June 11, 2020
Vera Mitter, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Department of Obstretrics and Gynecology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Michael von Wolff
Thesis: "Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of women treated for subfertility and children born after in vitro fertilisation"

May 13, 2020
Thimo Marcin, PhD in Health Sciences (Sports Medicine)
Department of Cardiology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Matthias Wilhelm
Thesis: "Exercise capacity in elderly patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation in Western Europe: the EU-CaRE project"

March 26, 2020
Eva Sophie Lunde Pedersen, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Claudia Kühni
Thesis: "Exercise-induced respiratory symptoms in childhood"

March 3, 2020
Andjela Markovic, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Michael Kaess, Dr. Leila Tarokh
Thesis: "Sleep, Development and Psychiatry: Insights Gained from Quantitative EEG Analyses"

December 12, 2019
David Schreier, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Johannes Mathis
Thesis: "Vigilance assessment and judgement of fitness to drive in sleepy individuals"

November 01, 2019
Anneke Grietje Elizabeth Godeschalk, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Johannes Mathis
Thesis: "What is sleepiness? - Characterizing the borderland between wakefulness and sleep by microsleep episodes"

August 23, 2019
Alvin Chesham, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Tobias Nef
Thesis: "Puzzling the Mind: Development and Evaluation of Puzzle Games to Assess Cognitive and Motor Function in Neurocognitive Aging"

March 27, 2018:
David Herzig, PhD in Health Sciences (Sports Medicine)
Department of Cardiology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Matthias Wilhelm
Thesis: "Exploring cardiovascular factors influencing heart rate variability. Findings from healthy volunteers, children, athletes and cardiac patients"

March 5, 2018:
Felicitas Lahner, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Education)
Institute for Medical Education (IML)
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Sören Huwendiek
Thesis: "Influence of Different Scoring Algorithms for Multiple True-False Items on the Measurement Precision of Multiple-Choice Exams"

February 28, 2018:
Andrea Lörwald, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Education)
Institute for Medical Education (IML)
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Sören Huwendiek
Thesis: "Mini-CEX and DOPS: educational impact and influencing factors"

February 19, 2018:
Petra Viher, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Walther
Thesis: "WHERE LANGUAGE MEETS ACTION: The neural underpinnings of gesture performance in schizophrenia"

February 16, 2018:
Anita Katja Feller, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Kerri Clough-Gorr
Thesis: "Trends, patterns and sociodemographic disparities in cancer in Switzerland: Evidence from population-based data sources"

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December 18, 2017:
Aysel Güler-Kaya, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Matthias Egger
Thesis: "Neighbourhood socioeconomic position, late presentation, and life expectancy in HIV-positive people in Switzerland"

December 14, 2017:
Kathrin Susan Bieri, PhD in Health Sciences (Sports Medicine)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Emin Aghayev
Thesis: "Dynamic Intraligamentary Stabilization: Preliminary Results of a New Treatment Approach for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury"

November 3, 2017:
Luís Pedro Gomes do Carmo, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health)
Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty Bern
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Gertraud Schüpbach, Dr. Ioannis Magouras
Thesis: "Usage of antimicrobials in livestock: quantifying, understanding, intervening"

October 18, 2017:
Annette Weiss, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Claudia Kuehni
Thesis: "Hearing impairment after childhood cancer"

September 22, 2017:
Monika Leitner, PhD in Health Sciences (Physiotherapy)
Bern University of Applied Sciences, Health Division
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Annette Kuhn
Thesis: "Pelvic floor muscle displacement and activity during running in continent and incontinent women"

May 31, 2017:
Kathryn Rieger, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Koenig
Thesis: "Let the voices fly away: Neurofeedback training of auditory evoked potentials in patients with auditory verbal hallucinations and healthy subjects"

March 24, 2017:
Soheila Aghlmandi, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Peter Jüni, Prof. Dr. Marcel Zwahlen
Thesis: "Statistical models used to answer prognostic and therapeutic questions: Applications in Cardiovascular Medicine"

March 24, 2017:
Ilir Hoxha, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Peter Jüni
Thesis: "Associations of caesarean section rates with characteristics of health care systems"

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October 21, 2016:
Xhyljeta Luta, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Matthias Egger
Thesis: "Regional Variation in End of Life Care in Switzerland"

September 19, 2016:
Noëmi Anne Eggenberger, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Deptartment of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. René Müri
Thesis: "Perception and Production of Co-Speech Gestures in Aphasic Patients"

June 30, 2016:
Rahel Schumacher, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Dept. of Clinical Research, Neurology, & Dept. of Neurology, Div. of Cognitive and Restorative Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. René Müri
Thesis: "Exploring and influencing language processing in the intact and damaged brain"

June 22, 2016:
Anja Katharina Bänninger, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Koenig
Thesis: "From Rest to Task: Functional Brain Networks in Schizophrenia"

June 20, 2016:
Andreas D. Haas, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisors: PD Dr. Olivia Keiser, Prof. Dr. Matthias Egger
Thesis: "Antiretroviral therapy for prevention of HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa"

June 20, 2016:
Stefan P. Minder, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Education)
Institute of Medical Education (IML)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Marcel Egger
Thesis: "E-Learning & Formative Assessment: Taking Multimedia Modalities and Student Guidance to a New Edge"

May 25, 2016:
Judith Eva Lupatsch, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Claudia E. Kuehni, PD Dr. Ben Spycher
Thesis: "Exposure to Infections and the Risk of Leukaemia in Children"

May 3, 2016:
Basil Christoph Preisig, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. René Müri
Thesis: "Aphasia and dialogue: What eye movements reveal about the processing of co-speech gestures and the prediction of turn transitions"

April 29, 2016:
Claudia Berlin, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Marcel Zwahlen
Thesis: "Cardiovascular disease in Switzerland—health care, mortality and geographical pattern"

April 18, 2016:
Laura Díaz Hernàndez, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Koenig
Thesis: "Feasibility of Resting-State Microstates Neurofeedback"

March 17, 2016:
Jittima Saengsuwan, PhD in Health Sciences (Rehabilitation Science)
Bern University of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Tobias Nef
Thesis: "Investigation of robotics-assisted tilt table technology for cardiopulmonary exercise testing in stroke patients"

January 21, 2016:
Simone Hopfner, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Nyffeler
Thesis: "Spatial neglect and motion: The influence of directionally non-specific and directionally specific motion on neglect behaviour"

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November 23, 2015:
Lea Antoinette Meier, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dierks
Thesis: "Exploring the Emotional Brain: Neural correlates of homeostatic and sensory-evoked emotions and their interaction in emotional rivalry"

April 23, 2015:
Nicole Steck, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Marcel Zwahlen, Prof. Dr. Matthias Egger
Thesis: "The Epidemiology of Assisted Suicide in Switzerland"

March 31, 2015:
Daniela Schäfer, PhD in Health Sciences (Sports Medicine)
Department of Cardiology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Hugo Saner
Thesis: "Interface between physical activity, nutrition and the cardiovascular system with focus on heart rate variability"

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October 30, 2014:
Karen Hofmann, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Abel
Thesis: "Social inequalities in health and health behaviour—Determinants of health and health behaviour in young Swiss adults"

October 28, 2014:
Jennifer Andreotti, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Andrea Federspiel
Thesis: "The structural substrate of brain function: Analysis of brain structural networks based on diffusion-weighted imaging"

October 24, 2014:
Nicole Gruber, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Tobias Nef, Prof. Urs Peter Mosimann
Thesis: "The age-dependent effect of mesopic visual conditions on visual exploration behavior and on driving performance"

September 19, 2014:
Stéphanie Giezendanner, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Andrea Federspiel
Thesis: "White Matter Matters: A Multimodal Approach to Investigate White Matter Microstructure and Metabolism"

June 27, 2014:
Rahel Bieri, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Urs Peter Mosimann, Prof. Dr. Tobias Nef
Thesis: "Development of a novel assessment tool for driving-relevant motivational, behavioral, and cognitive factors in older adults"

June 17, 2014:
Georg Mikis Rees, PhD in Health Sciences (Psychology)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Tschacher
Thesis: "Nonverbale Synchronisation in Dyaden: Ein Vergleich von kooperativen und kompetitiven Interaktionen"

April 28, 2014:
Nadja Razavi, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dierks
Thesis: "When the systems fail to communicate: Cerebral resting state networks in schizophrenia spectrum disorders"

March 27, 2014:
Dominik Schori, PhD in Health Sciences (Medical Sociology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Abel
Thesis: "Social Inequality in Health and Social Differences in Health Behaviours in Young Swiss Adults"

January 30, 2014:
Johanni Brea, PhD in Health Sciences (Computational Neurosciences)
Department of Physiology
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Walter M. Senn
Thesis: "Aspects of learning and forgetting in functionalistic models of biological systems"

January 24, 2014:
Micol Gianinazzi, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology & Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisors: Dr. Gisela Michel, Prof. Dr. Claudia E. Kuehni
Thesis: "Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Psycho-oncological aspects & transition from pediatric to adult care"

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December 13, 2013:
Thomas Radtke, PhD in Health Sciences (Sport Medicine)
Department of Cardiology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Hugo Saner
Thesis: "Peripheral microvascular endothelial function for cardiovascular health assessment in children and adolescents"

December 4, 2013:
Simon Gabriel Schwab, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Andreas Altorfer
Thesis: "Measurement and analysis of eye-head coordination in patients with schizophrenia"

June 25, 2013:
Melanie Sarah Fisler, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dierks
Thesis: "Brain spotting: the phobic brain—special emphasis on the amygdala"

April 29, 2013:
Philip Homan, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dierks
Thesis: "On the neurobiology of hallucinations"

April 22, 2013:
Tim Vanbellingen, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. René Müri
Thesis: "Neural and behavioural correlates of gesture production and fine motor skills"

March 7, 2013:
Heike Gerger, PhD in Health Sciences (Psychology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Jürgen Barth
Thesis: "Sources of bias and variation in meta-analytic psychological outcome research: Revisiting the Dodo bird"

February 14, 2013:
Radoslaw Panczak, PhD in Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Matthias Egger, Prof. Dr. Marcel Zwahlen
Thesis: "Geographical and epidemiological studies of mortality in Switzerland"

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October 24, 2012:
Bindu Kalesan, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Peter Jüni, Dr. Thomas Gsponer
Thesis: "Modeling time-to-event data in estimating effectiveness and safety in interventional cardiology"

October 23, 2012:
Monica Bachmann, PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health)
Institute of Psychology
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Hansjörg Znoj
Thesis: "Health behaviour change in smokers: Five articles on the development of smoking behaviour"

August 28, 2012:
Matthias Grieder, PhD in Health Sciences (Neurosciences)
University Psychiatric Services (UPD)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dierks
Thesis: "Event-Relating to Potential Dementia—Semantic processing in the course of healthy and pathological aging"

July 4, 2012:
Bruno Cezar Roza da Costa, PhD in Health Sciences (Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Peter Jüni
Thesis: "Summarizing and expressing treatment effects in meta-analyses of trials with continuous outcomes"

February 24, 2012:
Thomas Munder, PhD in Health Sciences (Psychology)
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Jürgen Barth
Thesis: "Meta-analyses on risks of bias in randomized controlled trials of psychotherapy"

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December 13, 2011:
Regina Guthold, PhD in Health Sciences (Sport Science)
Institute of Sport Science
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Achim Conzelmann
Thesis: "Levels and patterns of physical activity in low and middle income countries"

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