People

All lab members are presented in alphabetical order.

Ayush-kumar Chaudhary, HiWi

I am a MSc. Machine Learning student in my final year. In the mental health mapping lab, I am researching and implementing effective and consistent benchmarking techniques to systematically compare (classical) statistical- and deep learning models for normative modeling. In my free time, I like to go to the gym, play football, lacrosse and also perform standup comedy.

Sicheng Dai, PostDoc

My research explores brain network modeling in health and disease by integrating Network Science and Machine Learning. I earned my PhD in Computer Science from ENS Lyon, focusing on dynamic patterns in large-scale temporal social networks. Outside of academia, I’m an avid nature enthusiast and animal lover.

Alexander Frotscher, PhD Candidate

My research centers on machine learning and unsupervised anomaly detection in neuroimaging data. I strive to enhance methodological rigor in clinical applications by developing robust models that illuminate biological variations and disease mechanisms. In my spare time, I enjoy various sports.

Samira Hajizadeh, MSc Student & Intern

I am passionate about applying machine learning to healthcare. After completing my BSc at the University of Tehran, where I focused on anomaly detection in medical imaging, I pursued an MSc at Columbia University. During my internship at the Laboratory for Mental Health Mapping, I am exploring the potential impacts of large language models on mental health. I enjoy traveling, socializing, and reading novels.

Mebin Muhammed Hamzakoya Sulaikha, PhD Candidate

I focus on reconstructing dynamic biological and behavioral systems using machine learning. My research includes predicting postpartum depression using digital phenotyping and evaluating model reliability. My M.Tech at IIT Ropar focused on embryo image analysis for IVF outcomes. I also enjoy traveling, social work, and public speaking.

Atharva (Athu) Kand, PhD Candidate

As a PhD candidate, I explore how individual brain structure and function diverge over time, aiming to model these trajectories to identify dysfunction and underlying mechanisms. I hold a degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from the Donders Institute. My research now focuses on stochastic, biologically informed models to capture the uncertainty inherent in psychiatric conditions. Outside the lab, I enjoy long walks, racquet sports, and contemplative art. I believe the best science is like the best art. It is porous, subversive and elegant. I try to meet both with alacrity.

Milin Kim, PhD Candidate

My research focuses on the development of the cerebellum across the lifespan and its role in neurological and psychiatric disorders. I use machine learning and neuroimaging from large populations to map cerebellar trajectories. Prior to my PhD at Oslo University Hospital, I studied psychology at Seoul National University and cognitive neuroscience at the University of Oslo. I enjoy exploring Norwegian nature, baking macarons, and reading.

Gülce Lale, PhD Candidate

With a dual background in Computer Science and Psychology, I pursued an MSc in Systemic Neurosciences in Munich to deepen my interest in neuroscience. Now in my PhD, I study how individual differences in brain structure and function influence cognition in mental health disorders, using neuroimaging and machine learning. In my free time, I enjoy nature, yoga, and writing short stories.

Marc Lemnitzer, BSc Student

I am a BSc student in Bioinformatics contributing to the development and validation of a machine learning package for mapping complex biomarker configurations. My main interests lie at the intersection of machine learning and biology. Despite a demanding schedule, I value time spent with friends.

Alia Mahama-Rodriguez, PhD Candidate

My research investigates psychiatric disorder and their heterogeneity through the integration of neuroimaging, transcriptomics, and behavioral data. I apply machine learning to identify individual-level deviations in disorders like depression and schizophrenia. Previously, I developed scalable pipelines in computational psychiatry and bioinformatics. Outside research, I enjoy yoga, hiking with my Borzoi Donatella, and experimental music through violin and theremin.

Francesco Mallus, PhD Candidate

My research focuses on understanding brain function across conscious and pathological states to identify reliable biomarkers of functional connectivity. Trained as a biomedical engineer at the Polytechnic University of Turin, I specialized in device design and bio-signal/image processing. I’m passionate about merging technology with neuropsychology. In my free time, I enjoy photography, tinkering, and sailing.

Minh-Hieu Nguyen, PhD Candidate

I develop computational models to study learning and decision-making processes, especially in individuals with mental health disorders. My academic journey began in Chemistry at the National University of Singapore, followed by a master’s in Neural Information Processing at the University of Tübingen. Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking, music, and reading.

Nikolaos Pahakis, HiWi

As a master’s student in Cognitive Science, I’m currently optimizing the use of brain scans for normative modeling, trying to make norms more robust to preprocessing strategies. I’m passionate about both brain science, hardware and technology. I spend my free time hiking, gaming, and discovering new foods.

Francesco Sammarco, PhD Candidate

I am a Computer Science Engineer focused on explainability in machine learning, particularly for mental health applications. I aim to make machine learning tools more transparent and trustworthy for clinical use. Outside research, I enjoy balancing intellectual challenges with physical ones through sports and gaming.

Elias Schreiner, Data Scientist & IT Infrastructure

I am a bioinformatics enthusiast working at the intersection of IT infrastructure and science. I apply deep learning to complex biological data to better understand neurodegenerative conditions and comorbid mental disorders.

Nitin Sharma, Research Scientist

I am pursuing a master’s in Neural Information Processing with a focus on machine learning for understanding mental disorders. My work involves analyzing multimodal data, including domain adaptation for multi-site depression datasets. I also explore normative modeling and individual differences as well as mechanistic interpretability in large language models. Outside the lab, I enjoy music, hiking, and time with friends.

Thomas Wolfers, PI

My research develops machine learning approaches to identify individual-level factors in mental health and other complex medical conditions. I earned my PhD from Radboud University and held research roles in the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK before founding the MHM Lab. My long-term goal is to translate technological advances into clinical practice. Outside of work, I enjoy yoga, meditation, socializing, and music. Thomas’s email & Homepage

Gokul Vijayakrishnan, HiWi & IT Infrastructure

I am pursuing a Master’s in AI with interests in computer vision, deep learning, and MLOps. With over seven years in data and embedded systems, I’ve worked at Bosch and Aptiv on visual quality inspection and keypoint estimation. Outside of academics, I enjoy travel and coding.

Jijia Xing, PhD Candidate

I studied Mathematics at Imperial College London, focusing on adversarial robustness and explainability in machine learning. Now, I’m applying mathematical tools to psychiatry, with a particular interest in improving understaning of complex brain disorders. In my free time, I enjoy brewing coffee, bouldering, and photography.

Yanwu Yang, PostDoc

My research interests include neuroimaging analysis and computational neuroscience. I focus on large-scale analysis of brain development and aging, integrating deep learning for clinical applications and examining foundational model behavior. I earned my MSc and PhD from Harbin Institute of Technology. I enjoy gaming, travel, and coffee culture.

Xinyun Yuan, MSc & Intern

As a Master’s student in Psychiatry at Shandong University, I’m currently interning at the MHM Lab, focusing on modeling individual differences. My work bridges psychiatry and computational models. Outside of research, I enjoy basketball, jogging, and literature.

Mariam Zabihi, PostDoc

I hold a PhD in Statistical Neuroimaging from Radboud University Medical Center and specialize in normative modeling to address heterogeneity in psychiatric disorders. As a BI research fellow and postdoc, I advance generative modeling methods for neuroimaging analysis. My role contributes to both methodological innovation and the broader understanding of psychiatric diversity.

Join Us

We’re always looking for motivated individuals to join our team! Check current opportunities here. If no positions are listed, feel free to reach out to inquire about future openings.

Alumni

Completed PostDoc/Data-Scientist
Hao-Chun(Chad) Yang (2024) -> Works in industry
Philipp Seidel (2025) -> Continued with PostDoc @ University of Tübingen

Completed PhD
Esten Leonardsen (2024) -> Continued with Postdoc @ University of Oslo & StartUp Founder
Rikka Kjelkenes (2023) -> Continued with Postdoc @ University of Oslo

Completed MSc/HiWi
Melis Oktayoglu (2025) -> Works in industry
Chiara Möller (2024) -> Travels the world
Alexander Frotscher (2023) -> Continued with PhD @ University of Tübingen with Thomas
Minh-Hieu Nguyen (2023) -> Continued with PhD @ University of Tübingen with Thomas
Sarah Sobotta (2023) -> Continued with a PhD @ Max Planck Institute Leipzig
Mai Han Hoang (2022) -> Works in industry
Milin Kim (2021) -> Continued with PhD @ University of Oslo with Thomas
Victória Trindade (2019) -> Continued with PhD @ University Medical Center Groningen
Christina Isakoglou (2017) -> Continued with PhD @ Radboud University of Nijmegen
Maria Paraskevopoulou (2016) -> Continued with PhD @ Radboud University of Nijmegen

Completed BSc/Honors/DAAD
Ponnuru Mahesh Datta Sai (2024) -> Continued with BSc @ SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Sacha ten Broeke (2023) -> Continued with MSc @ Radboud University of Nijmegen

Completed Labrotation/Internship
Mylla Marsiglia (2024) -> Continued with PhD @ Max Planck Institute Leipzig
Shun-chin Wu (Jim) (2023) -> Continued with MSc @ University College London
Can Demircan (2023) -> Continued with MSc @ University of Tübingen
María Berjano (2022) -> Continued with Labrotation @ University of Duisburg-Essen