PhD Candidates
PhD candidates currently carrying out their research projects within the framework of the GHS are listed below, sorted by GHS Expert Committees. Field of expertise of the Expert Committees are as follows:
Expert Committee I: preventive and social medicine, public health, medical education, psychology, rehabilitation and patient related studies.
Expert Committee II: cognitive neuroscience
Expert Committee III: accompanies the research activities of clinically active candidates who are completing a PhD program in parallel to their work in the clinic Mentor Guidelines GHS FKIII (DOCX, 64KB)
Expert Committee I
Adamus Christine
University Hospital for Mental Health Bern (UPD), Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Research and Development
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Dierks
Research project: «Independent Housing and Support for individuals with severe mental illness: Randomized controlled trial va. observational study»
Al-Alwan Heba
Bern Institute of Primary Care (BIHAM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Nicolas Rodondi
Research project: «fype 2 diabetes: association with subclinical thyroid dysfunction and the effect of antidiabetic treatment on clinical outcomes and thyroid function»
Berger Daria
ISPM Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Kühni
Research project: «Epidemiology of asthma, obesity and exercise-induced symptoms in population-based and clinical cohorts: disease burden and causal pathways»
Brunner Corinne
University Children's Hospital Zurich
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Hansjörg Znoj
Research project: «Educational videos for parents of children with atopic dermatitis - The EduDerm study»
Buitrago Diana
lnstitute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Nicola Low
Research project: «The science of prevalence: development of an evidence-based tool to assess the risk of bias in prevalence studies»
Bundo Marvin
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Franco Oscar
Research project: «Impact of ambient temperature on mental health»
Chalkou Konstantina
ISPM
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Giorgia Salanti
Research Project: «Real World Predictions of Heterogenous Treatment Effects Using Evidence Synthesis for Health Technology Assessment»
Chihota Belinda Varaidzo
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia CIDRZ
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Gilles Wandeler
Research Project: «Epidemiology of modifiable non-communicable disease risk factors among HIV-infected adults in Southern Africa»
Chiocchia Virginia
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Georgia Salanti
Research Project: «Methods for ranking competing treatment in network meta-analysis»
Davidović Maša
lnstitute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr Julia Bohlius
Research project: «Cancer prevention for women living with HIV in Africa»
De Schrijver Evan
lnstitute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar Franco
Research project: «Climate Change Adaptation and Future Health Impacts»
Folly Christophe
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Ben Spycher
Research project: «Modelling exposure to background ionising radiation in Switzerland»
Gastens Viktoria
Institure of Primary Health Care (BIHAM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Nicolas Rodondi
Research project: «Personalized preventive care and life expectancy among older multimorbid adults»
Gonzalez Jaramillo Nathalia
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar Horacio Franco Duran
Research project: «Impact of Physical Activity on Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events»
Gonzalez Jaramillo Valentina
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Steffen Eychmüller
Research project: «Identification of the need of palliative care in patients with heart failure: Validation of the German version of t he "Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease - Heart Failure (NAT: PD-HF)"»
Grisotto Giorgia
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar Horacio Franco Duran
Research project: «Cardiometabolic Health in Women: The role of Diet»
Gamba Rincón Magda Rocío
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar Horacio Franco Duran
Research project: «Role of diet and lifestyles in cardiometabolic health: concepts, determinants and associations»
Hamza Tasnim
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Giorgia Salanti
Research project: «Flexible generic framework for evidence synthesis in health technology assessment»
Hamusonde Kalongo
Center for Infectious Disease and Research in Zambia
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Andri Rauch
Research project: «Modelling secual behaviour, sexual contact structure and sexually transmitted infections in Switzerland»
Itodo Adam Oche
ISPM, University of Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Oscar H. Franco
Research project: «Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury»
Kentgens Anne-Christianne
lnselspital, University Childrens Hospital Bern, Peadiatric Respiratory Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Philipp Latzin
Research project: «Novel ways to assess lung function in cystic fibrosis»
Kurz Johanna
University Children's Hospital, Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Philipp Latzin
Research project: «Development of small airway physiology from early childhood to school age. Longitudinal assessment of small airway physiology in healthy children and children with cystic fibrosis using the multiple-breath washout technique»
Kern Charlotte
Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. med. et phil. Felix Hammann
Research project: «The pharmacology of ivermectin in malaria vector control»
Mallet Maria Christina
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med Claudia Kühni
Research project: «Epidemiology of childhood wheezing illness and chronic non-specific cough in Switzerland»
Mazzei Antonella
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine ISPM
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Ben Spycher
Research project: «Background ionizing radiation and the risk of childhood cancer»
Mendoza Jaimes Yuly Paulin
Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR) / Inselspital Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Annalisa Berzigotti
Research project: «Prognostic stratification in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD)»
Mesa Vieira Cristina
lnstitute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar Franco
Research project: «Mental and cardiometabolic consequences of chronic exposure to violence»
Nabecker Sabine
Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Robert Greif
Research project: «Assessment in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training»
Oestreich Marc-Alexander
Inselspital, University Childrens Hospital Bern, Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Philip Latzin
Research project: «Development and longitudinal assessement of small airway physiology in healthy infants and infants with cystic fibrosis using the multiple-breath washout technique»
Ram Sai Sreenidhi
Institute of Medical Education
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Sören Huwendiek
Research project: «CPD Conferences»
Raguindin Peter Francis
University of the Philippines Manila - National Institutes of Health
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar H. Franco
Research project: «Early cardiometabolic changes in Spinal Cord Injury»
Ramírez Mena Adrià
Department of Infectiology
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Gilles Wandeler
Research project: «Understanding the hepatitis B continuum of care to inform elimination strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa and Switzerland»
Renggli Luzia
Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Kronenberg
Research project: «From hospital-specific to patient-specific antibiotic consumption data: how can we improve surveillance of antibiotic use in the frame of antibiotic stewardship programs? »
Roa Diaz Zayne Milena
lnstitute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Oscar H. Franco
Research project: «The interaction between lifestyle and menopausal ageing and their impact in cardiovascular disease in women»
Rüegg René
Social Work Division, Bern University of Applied Sciences
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas Abel
Research project: «Relations between health literacy and health outcomes in multifactorial models»
Salem Mahmoud Yasmin
Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, University Children's Hospital Bem
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Philip Latzin
Research project: «Combination of functional imaging and detailed longitudinallung function assessmentto describe lung development in preterm children»
Schütz Hämmerli Natascha
Health Division; Bern University of Applied Sciences
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Aebi, PD Dr. med. Mathias Nelle
Research project: «Transition to Home after Preterm Birth: Pilot testing an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)- led Model of Transitional Care»
Schneider Caroline
Preventive Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Cardiology, lnselspital Bern
Thesis Advisor: PD. Dr. Prisca Eser
Research project: «Importance of exercise training therapy timing with regard to cardiotoxicity and patient preference in early breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemo-therapy»
Seo Michael Juhn Uh
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Marcel Zwahlen
Research project: «Evidence-synthesis methods for personalizing the choice of treatment»
Severin Anna
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Matthias Egger
Research project: «Open Access and Standards of Quality Control in Scholarly Publishing»
Shamu Tinei
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Matthias Egger
Research project: «Viral evolution patterns in patients receiving dolutegravir based antiretroviral therapy»
Soria Maldonado Rodrigo
Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Cardiology
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Stefano Rimoldi
Research project: «Pulmonary Hypertension and underlying mechanism in Chronic Mountain Sickness»
Strebel Sven
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Kühni
Research project: «Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Hearing Loss in Childhood Cancer Survivors»
Vonwyl Celina Magdalena
Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, lnselspital, University Hospital Bern
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. med. Evangelia Liakoni
Research project: «Impact of the nicotine concentration on the efficacy of a nicotine salt vape pod system as smoking cessation tool»
Wyss Carmen
Division of Midwifery, Department of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Jennifer Inauen
Research project: «Facilitating optimal birth care for women with obesity by Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA): A multimethod study»
Expert Committee II
Abgottspon Stephanie
University Clinic for Diabetology, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine & Metabolism (UDEM), Inselspital, Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Regula Everts
Research project: «Executive functions, the cerebral working memory network, and cerebral blood flow in adult patients with phenylketonuria»
Brill Esther
University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Klöppel
Research project: «Tablet based cognitive training: Can a serious game-based cognitive training attenuate cognitive decline related to Alzheimer's disease?»
Bühler Janine
University of Bern, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med Selma Aybek
Research project: «The role of stress and sense of agency in functional neurological disorders (FND). An interventional study using on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). »
Camenzind Magdalena
Department of Neurology and Clinical Research
Thesis Advisor: Prof. René Müri
Research Project: «Brain & Creativity»
Chiffi Kathrin
Department of Neurology, University hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. René Martin Müri
Research project: «Effect of TMS on sleep parameters in healthy subjects with a post-stroke hemineglect (Creativity and Sleep)»
Chapellier Victoria
Psychiatric University Clinic UPO
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Walther
Research project: «Brain stimulation And Group therapy to improve Gesture and Social Skills in psychosis (BrAGG-SOS)»
Conring Frauke
University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, University of Bern
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Katharina Deborah Lena Stegmayer
Research project: «Paranoia in schizophrenia: a behavioural and functional neuroimaging study»
De Jong-Mazairac Jacqueline Helena
Dept. of Urology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, & Physio Artos
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Fiona Burkhard
Research project: «Is there variability in pelvic floor and abdominal muscle response induced by different cough and forced expiration patterns?»
Denzer Simone
Institute of Psychology, University of Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Fred Mast
Research project: «"Reality-monitoring in Sleep, Psychosis and Virtual Reality" within the IRC "Decoding Sleep: From Neurons to Health & Mind"»
Diezig Sarah
University Hospital of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Electrophysiology Unit, Translational Research Center
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Thomas König
Research project: «Reality-monitoring in sleep, psychosis and virtual reality within the IRC Project "Decoding Sleep: From Neurons to Health and Mind"»
Gangl Nicole
Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Katharina Deborah Lena Stegmayer
Research project: «Paranoia in schizophrenia: a behavioural and structural neuroimaging study»
Göbel Nicole
Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. René Müri
Research project: «Creativity after focal brain lesions - a matter of paradoxical facilitation?»
Klink Katharina
Dept. of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Stefan Klöppel
Research project: «Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on associative memory formation in healthy young and elderly participants as well as in individuals with memory impairment»
Krammer Werner
Dept. of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Roland Wiest
Research project: «Effects of serotonergic neuromodulation on behavioural recovery and motor network plasticity after cortical ischemic stroke: A longitudinal, placebo-controlled study»
Krebs Christine
University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Stefan Klöppel
Research project: «Modulating the effect of different cognitive interventions with transcranial direct current stimulation in individuals with and without memory Problems»
Muri Raphaela
Dept.of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Regula Everts
Research project: «Impact of Phenylalanine on Cognitive, Neural and Neurometabolic Parameters in Adult Patients with Phenylketonuria - The PICO-Study, a Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial»
Nadesalingam Niluja
Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Walther
Research project: «Overcoming psychomotor slowing - A 3-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of add-on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for psychomotor slowing in psychosis»
Rodriguez Galdin Belén
Department of Neurosurgery, lnselspital Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Werner Z'Graggen
Research project: «Cognitive Dysfunction and Visual Exploration in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome»
Stahnke Antje
Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Werner Strik
Research project: «Symptom dimensions in psychopathology: From health to psychosis—Dimension of motor function disturbance»
Steiner Leonie
Dept. of Neuropediatrics, University Children's Hospital Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Regula Everts
Research project: «Cortical reorganisation of neural networks after childhood stroke and their relation to cognitive outcome»
Schmidt Nadine
UPD Bern, University Clinic of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. phil. Jessica Peter
Thesis project: «Modulating prospective memory in older adults with non-invasive brain stimulation»
Wagnon Carole
Dept. of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Stefan Klöppel
Research project: «Supporting incidental learning with transcranial direct current stimulation in healthy young and elderly individuals»
Wunderlin Marina
Dept. of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Stefan Klöppel
Research project: «Boosting Slow Oscillations of Slow Wave Sleep to improve memory functions in older adults»
Florian Wüthrich
University Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sebastian Walther
Research project: «An examination of psychomotor disturbance in current and remitted MDD: An RDoC Study»
Zengaffinen Francilia Sabrina
Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Werner Strik
Research project: «Symptom dimensions in psychopathology: From health to psychosis—Dimension of language and thought disturbance»
Zohdi Hamoon
Institute of Complementary Medicine
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Ursula Wolf
Research project: «Effects of exposure to colored light on cerebral and systemic physiology in humans»
Expert Committee III
Amstutz Deborah
Inselspital Bern, Zentrum für Bewegungsstörungen
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Paul Krack
Research project: «Apathy and Impulse Control Disorders in Parkinson's Disease - Two Opposite States of a Behavioral Spectrum?»
Begré Lorin Aaron
Clinic for general internal and emergency medicine, Bürgerspital Solothurn
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Andri Rauch
Research project: «Understanding treatment outcomes of HIV/HBV coinfection: A prospective cohort of HIV/HBV-coinfected patients in Europe (Euro-B)»
Durand Alexane
Divison of Clinical Radiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Daniela Esther Schweizer
Research project: «Neuronal current and sodium imaging in epileptic dogs»
Göldlin Martina Béatrice
University Clinic for Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisors: Prof. Dr. Urs Fischer und David Julian Seiffge
Research project: «Classification of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) subtypes - MRI-based phenotype of small vessel disease»
Jakob Julian
BIHAM Institute of Primary Health Care Bern
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Reto Auer
Research project: «Effects of Electric Nicotine Delivery Systems on pulmonary health in teenagers»
Jin Baudouin Zongxin
Department of Neurology
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Roland Wiest
Research project: «Predict and Monitor Epilepsy after a First Seizure: The Swiss-First Study»
Kaesmacher Johannes
Dept. of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Urs Fischer
Research project: «On the value of tissue plasminogen activator in contemporary endovascular stroke treatment»
Lenouvel Eric
Universitäre Psychiatrische Dienste Bern (UPO), Universitätsklinik für Alterspsychiatrie
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Stefan Klöppel
Research project: «The cognitive basis of fear of falling and its treatment»
Meinel Thomas
Dept. of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Simon Jung
Research project: «Value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in etiological stroke workup»
Perrodin Stéphanie
Dept. of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Guido Beldi
Research project: «Impact of core muscle training on incisional hernia and pain after abdominal surgery»
Riebensam Carlotta
Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Gilles Wandeler
Research project: «Prevalence and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among HIV-infected individuals: impact of age, statins and antiretroviral drugs»
Rosner Jan
Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern, University of Bern & Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Claudio Bassetti
Research project: «Clinical and Pharmacological Determinants of Central Neuropathic Pain»
van Beek Judith
Center for Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Luzerner Kantonsspital
Thesis Advisor: PD Dr. Tim Vanbellingen
Research project: «Innovative rehabilitation techniques for improving manual dexterity in neurological diseases»
Wenz Elena
Department of Neurology, Inselspital
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. med. Claudio Bassetti
Research project: «Central disorders of hypersomnolence - prevalence, multimodal phenotyping and evolution»