Sophie van Rijn works as an Associate Professor in the Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences group at Leiden University. Her research focuses on the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms underlying social behavioral problems and the risk of psychopathology.

More information about Sophie van Rijn

Sophie van Rijn works as an Associate Professor in the Clinical Neurodevelopmental Sciences group at Leiden University. Her research focuses on the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms underlying social behavioral problems and the risk of psychopathology.

She studies not only behaviorally defined disorders (such as autism, psychosis, and aggression) but also genetic syndromes. The emphasis is on understanding social development and the risk of psychopathology, as well as identifying the neuropsychological and neurobiological mechanisms that underlie these risks, with a specific focus on self-regulation and social cognition.

Her research is characterized by bridging fundamental neuroscience techniques (such as eye-tracking, psychophysiology, neurocognitive tests, and MRI) to clinically relevant outcomes, in order to improve psychoeducation, diagnostics, and (preventive) interventions.

Short CV

Sophie van Rijn obtained her Master of Science degree (cum laude) in Psychology from the University of Amsterdam in 2001. She earned her PhD (cum laude) in Neuropsychology and Psychiatry from Utrecht University in 2007.

In 2008, she was awarded an NWO VENI grant, and in 2011, together with Prof. H. Swaab, she received a large grant for research on autism. In 2013, she won the Gratama Science Award. In 2016, Sophie van Rijn was awarded an NWO VIDI grant for her research on developmental risks in young children with an extra X or Y chromosome.

She is internationally oriented and collaborates with researchpartners in the USA, Denmark, Norway, the UK, and Belgium.

Awards

• Gratama Science Prize 2013, for young scientists who distinguish themselves by their innovative, socially relevant and challenging research (€ 25,000)

Grants

• 2016: VIDI grant (personal grant, € 800,000), Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research NWO
• 2013: Leiden University support grant for talented female scientists (€ 15,000 )
• 2011: Research grant  Autism Center (€ 266,000), co-applicant Prof. Hanna Swaab
• 2008: VENI grant (personal grant, € 208,000), Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research NOW

PhD candidates

• Marcia Brandenburg: Hersenontwikkeling van kinderen met een extra X chromosoom en kwetsbaarheid voor autisme: inzicht vanuit MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• Gemma Zantinge : Emotie regulatie bij jonge kinderen met autisme: neurobiologische mechanismen Lex Stockmann: Ouder-kind interacties en de ontwikkeling emotie regulatie bij jonge kinderen met autisme: effectiviteit van behandeling.
• Jantiene Schoorl: Cognitieve en neurobiologische parameters van affectieve agressie en voorspellende waarde voor effectiviteit van behandeling (NWO FES Brain and Cognition Programme)
• Nienke Bouw: Early development of social cognition in children with Sex Chromosome Trisomies (SCT)
• Kimberly Kuiper: Development of self-regulation in young children with X and Y chromosome variations.
• Evelien Urbanus: Social Communication in Young Children with Sex Chromosome Trisomy. Neurocognitive Building Blocks of Behavioral Outcomes
• Myrthe Kamphof: Neurocognitieve profielen, gedrag en psychopathologie bij kinderen met het Coffin-Siris syndroom
• Nikki Nibbering: Neurocognitieve mechanismen onderliggend aan Selectief Mutisme: zicht op sociale cognitie en emotieregulatie
• Francien Martin: Neurocognitie en sociaal gedrag bij volwassenen met het Klinefelter syndroom: handvaten voor diagnostiek en behandeling

Publications

Activities