Dr. Viona wijnen - neuro psychologist
Research Experience / Interests
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Senior researcher, psychology/affective neuroscience, Parnassia Academy/PsyQ, Intensive Specialistic Programme (ISP) for Psychotrauma.
Visiting researcher, Clinical Psychology Department, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Senior researcher, psychology/affective neuroscience, Parnassia Academy/PsyQ, Intensive Specialistic Programme (ISP) for Depression.
Visiting researcher, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht,
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Senior researcher, Psychogeriatric Observation Unit, Institution for Mental Health Care Parnassia, Parnassia Groep, Castricum, The Netherlands
Member of Dutch expertise-team on Delirium superimposed on Dementia
Visiting researcher, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, dep. Biological Psychology & Neuroplasticity, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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(Neuro) psychology
 Brain Injury and Neurorehabilitation
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Autonomic Nervous System (Heart Rate Variability, Electrodermal Activity) Neuroplasticity
Brain and Consciousness
Psychophysiological and Neurophysiological reactivity (EEG, ERPs) Biofeedback and Neurofeedback
Psychosomatics Psychopathology Longitudinal research
Future interests: Neuroplasticity in the healthy, developing, and aging brain; neuroimaging (fMRI, PET, DTI, fNIRS); developmental and social neuroscience; learning and memory
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Neuro science and dance theatre research collaboration and performances
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The collaboration with the neuro psychologist, Dr. Wijnen, started in 2009 as part of the preparations for the creation process of The living network/Cadance festival 2011. Here, we were interested to explore the human condition and consciousness, observing the dancers' responses to physical and mental assignments that were immanently connected to the building of their personages.
Wijnen and myself are in a process of making a manuscript of the project with the intention to present it to Prof. Beatrice de Gelder – leader of the Brain and Emotion Laboratory at Maastricht University.
For Pretext diptych, i.e. Pretext Solo and Donna nel presente Duet, I continue my collaboration with Dr. Wijnen, this time to explore the impact of the camera on the dancer in movement and in rest. The dancer is measured on Mindedness (BIPM), Mindfulness (FMI) and Empathy. The observations are taped on video and inspire the score of the project. (2018).
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Bomen en Wij - a new art-science collaboration 2025
My collaboration with neuropsychologist Dr. Viona Wijnen reflects our shared commitment to integrating dance, art, and science. We specifically explore how measuring body-mind conditions can inform dance and, in turn, how dance can influence body-mind measurements in relation to psychological and mindfulness assessments.
Dr. Wijnen and I decided to collaborate once again after the success of our dance-theater production The Living Network, produced by Dansmakers and performed at the CaDance Festival in 2011. Our mutual interest in the interconnection between the brain, nature, and well-being—particularly the impact of trees, movement, and the body on mental and physical health—made this new project a natural continuation of our research.
Our artistic and scientific languages resonate deeply, extending beyond dance and neuroscience into a broader multidisciplinary dialogue. With complementary skills, knowledge, and experience, we aim to continue this long-term collaboration, sharing our insights and artistic practice with the public.
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