International Research Training Group 2150

The Neuroscience of Modulating
Aggression and Impulsivity in Psychopathology

3rd  S P R I N G   S C H O O L

May 1 – May 4, 2019

Dear students and colleagues,
Welcome to the 3rd annual Spring School of the International Research Training Group (IRTG) 2150: The Neuroscience of Modulating Aggression and Impulsivity in Psychopathology.
The annual Spring School, alternately held in Philadelphia (2017) and Aachen/Jülich (2018), reflects the intense cooperations between Ph.D. students and their American and German supervisors. The 3rd Spring School in Philadelphia follows the tradition of mutual scientific exchange between the partner universities. Ph.D. students from all participating institutions will organize the scientific program of this Spring School, which covers the IRTG theme. Thesis committee meetings will enable fruitful discussions of the research projects in detail, and keynote lectures by renowned experts of the University of Pennsylvania, Ted Satterthwaite, Michael Platt, and Konrad Kording will further enrich the program. Besides, the alumni session with former IRTG members will shed light on career tracks after graduation.
We are approaching the end of the first funding period of the IRTG. Hence, several students have already reached the end of their Ph.D. time. The IRTG offers 2 start-up grants to support the scientific career of graduates of the IRTG. Six applicants will present their research proposals for the IRTG start-up grant, of which 2 will be selected for funding.
This September, we will submit the progress report and the application for the prolongation of the IRTG to the DFG. We are looking forward to discussing plans for the next funding period.
Special thanks go to the DFG and the participating institutions: the RWTH Aachen University, Research Center Jülich, and the University of Pennsylvania. Particularly, we would like to thank all speakers for sharing their research findings and the organizing team for outstanding support.
We are very happy to welcome you here in Philadelphia and are looking forward to an exciting and stimulating Spring School!

With Best Wishes,

Ute Habel and Ruben C. Gur


Program Overview
Wednesday, May 1

08.45 am – 09.15 am Morning coffee
09.15 am – 09.30 am Welcome and opening
09.30 am – 10.30 am Session 1: Cognition and hormones
10.30 am – 11.15 am Keynote lecture: Michael Platt
11.15 am – 11.45 am Coffee break
11.45 am – 12.45 pm Session 2: Cells and genes in aggression
12.45 pm – 01.00 pm Photo session
01.00 pm – 02.00 pm Lunch break
02.00 pm – 03.00 pm Session 3:Neurofeedback
03.00 pm – 04.30 pm Student thesis committee meetings
05.30 pm Welcome reception and dinner

Thursday, May 2

10.00 am – 10.45 am Session 4: Methods
10.45 am – 11.15 am Coffee break
11.15 am – 12.30pm Session 5: Brain organization
12.30 pm – 01.45 pm Lunch break
01.45 pm – 02.30 pm Keynote lecture: Ted Satterthwaite
02.30 pm – 04.00 pm Student thesis committee meetings
05.30 pm – 07.30 pm Tour of Eastern State Penitentiary
06.00 pm Supervisors’ evening
08.00 pm Students’evening

Friday, May 3

09.00 am – 10.00 am Supervisors’ meeting
10.00 am – 11.30 am IRTG start-up grant proposals
11.30 am – 12.00 pm Coffee break
12.00 pm – 12.30 pm Alumni session
12.30 pm – 01.30 pm Students meet alumni / IRTG board meeting
01.30 pm – 02.30 pm Lunch break
02.30 pm – 03.30 pm Session 6:Impulsive, aggressive and antisocial behavior
03.30 pm – 05.00 pm Student thesis committee meetings
05.00 pm – 06.30 pm Student thesis committee meetings
07.00 pm Farewell dinner

Saturday, May 4

09.00 am – 10.00 am Session 7: Psychopathology of aggression and emotion
10.00 am – 10.30 am Coffee break
10.30 am – 11.15 am Keynote lecture:Konrad Kording
11.15 am – 11.30 am Synopsis and final remarks