International Research Training Group 2150

The Neuroscience of Modulating
Aggression and Impulsivity in Psychopathology

6th  S P R I N G   S C H O O L

September 8 – 10, 2022

Dear students and colleagues,

Welcome to the 6th annual Spring School of the International Research Training Group (IRTG) 2150: The Neuroscience of Modulating Aggression and Impulsivity in Psychopathology.

After the long break due to the pandemic, we are happy to announce that we are back to the offline format and can all meet in person in Philadelphia again. It has been a very long time since personal contacts and exchange between IRTG members have been possible. The 6th Spring School in Philadelphia follows the tradition of mutual scientific exchange between the partner universities. Doctoral students from all participating institutions will organize the scientific program for this Spring School, which covers the IRTG theme.

The second cohort of PhD students of the IRTG is approaching the end of their funding time and hopefully also the defense and we already welcome a few newcomers of the third generation of students. We all hope that this generation of students will have a smoother start than the last one, not anticipating stressful times that evaluations can bring and more importantly without heavy restrictions of the pandemic. On the other hand, a special praise of this second generation that went through all this resiliently and successfully overcame all obstacles.

Thesis committee meetings will hence either enable fruitful discussions of the planned research projects in detail or may be more focused on thesis completion. For the new students or those who have not planned the mobility period yet, we would emphasize to use the opportunity within the committee meetings to plan mobility periods and visits in Aachen and Philadelphia.

As usual, keynote lectures are highlights of the Spring School and we are happy to announce Ran Barzilay (UPENN) and Michael McCloskey (Temple University) and our associated PI David Mehler (RWTH) who will further enrich the program. Besides, the alumni session with former IRTG members from the RWTH Aachen University and the University of Pennsylvania will shed light on career tracks after graduation.

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 (Autumn) School!

With Best Wishes,

Ruben C. Gur and Ute Habel

Thursday, September 8

09.00 am – 09.15 am Morning coffee

09.15 am – 09.30 am Welcome and opening

09.30 am – 10.40 am Session 1: Impulsivity

10.40 am – 10.50 am Break

10.50 am – 11.35 am Keynote lecture: Ran Barzilay

11.35 am – 11.50 am Break

11.50 am – 01.05 pm Session 2: Sensory Processing

01.05 pm – 01.15 pm Photo session

01.15 pm – 02.00 pm Lunch break

02.00 pm – 05.00 pm Student thesis committee meetings

05.30 pm Welcome reception and dinner

Friday, September 9

09.00 am – 10.20 am Session 3: Hyperscanning and Neurofeedback

10.20 am – 10.30 am Break

10.30 am – 11.15 am Keynote lecture: Michael McCloskey

11.15 am – 11.30 am Break (IRTG Board Meeting)

11.30 am – 12.30 pm Alumni Session

12.30 pm – 01.30 pm Lunch break

01.30 pm – 04.30 pm Student thesis committee meetings

05.00 pm Farewell dinner

Saturday, September 10

09.00 am – 09.30 am Supervisors’ meeting

09.30 am – 10.00 am Keynote lecture: David Mehler

10.00 am – 11.45 am Session 4: Aggression and Methods

11.45 am – 12.00 pm Final Remarks