Post by University of Groningen

‘I want to make a difference for people with serious brain disorders,’ says Iris Sommer. The Professor of Psychiatry at the UMCG and University of Groningen won the NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) Stevin Prize last week for her groundbreaking research into brain functioning, serious psychiatric disorders, and better treatment for female patients. ‘It is a great honour,’ she says. ‘It confirms that my work has really contributed something.’ Sommer specializes in patients with psychosis, but she says she ‘takes an interest in anyone who has a brain!’ She believes her research is important for everyone who has a brain and that studying it requires an interdisciplinary approach as mental health lies at the intersection of biology, psychology, and sociology. ‘That is one of the things I appreciate at the UG and the UMCG. There is extensive expertise and a lot of collaboration, and it is fantastic to be able to link up with other teams. I learn a great deal from the people around me.’ The Stevin Prize is awarded to researchers who have made exceptional achievements in the area of knowledge utilization for society. But Sommer stresses that she did not win the prize alone, but that it was a team effort. ‘It is a fantastic team full of very talented people who have all worked extremely hard,’ she says. Read the full interview by clicking the link below.👇 https://lnkd.in/eJDPhrJn #stevinprize #healthcare #brainresearch #universityofgroningen #rijksuniversiteitgroningen Photo: Studio Oostrum