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My name is Judith Homberg, I was born May 14th 1976 in Purmerend, in the northern part of The Netherlands. I am a Professor in Translational Neuroscience.
I live with my great and highly supportive husband and my two children aged 17 and 18 and his two children aged 16 and 17.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your childhood years?
As kid I actually had no clue of what I wanted to become, but I was highly motivated to do well at school. I spent my childhood in Almere, when it was still a new city with a lot of space. We often played outside. We crossed through empty undefined land or hung around construction places.
What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?
I got my Masters in Medical Biology and my PhD in addiction research at the VU in Amsterdam. During my Masters I was so intrigued by a course on drug addiction that I arranged an internship related to that topic. After I completed it, the internship supervisors sent me to other labs to acquire additional skills and finally I was asked to start a PhD in the group where I started my internship.
Which of your research discoveries are you most proud of?
The finding that serotonin transporter gene variance wasn't just causing sensitivity, stress, and vulnerability to depression, as was the common thought, but also sensitivity to reward and positive effects on cognition.
What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?
Understanding the brain mechanisms that explain how certain genetic factors as well as traits can bring both vulnerability and resilience to stress-related disorders.
If you could choose any mentor, who would it be?
Michelle Obama, it is great how she developed herself.
What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?
It is in between molecules and patients.
What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?
More recognition of team work in science.
Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?
Only for life threatening situations, I like to sleep 😊!
What is the thing that irritates you most?
I do not like full email boxes, which is why I often reply fast. But replying may lead to more emails...
Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?
My husband. As life is busy we do not often take time for just the two of us.
How do you relax from the demanding job being a scientist?
I like to run. It is a moment for free thoughts and it gives energy for the rest of the day.
Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?
Believe in what you do, every piece of research can be turned into something great, work hard and be persistent.
Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.
This photo is taken in Valencia, when my daughter went to go on holidays with friends. However, they were too young to rent a place. The solution was that I joined the group of 16 year old girls.
