Danesh Shahnazian

former members

team

Ruth Krebs - PI

In our lab we investigate how motivational signals influence cognition and behavior, and the neural mechanisms that give rise to these modulations. We take a multi-dimensional approach, both in terms of methods (performance, neuroimaging, inter-individual differences) and functions (reward, emotion, effort). Beyond understanding the basic mechanisms, we aim to translate our research to applied contexts such as pro-environmental behavior as well as clinical conditions.  

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Vincent Hoofs

Arthur Prével

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Michel Quak

Thomas Carsten

Haeme Park

Julie Hall

Sarah Kusch - PhD student

As a PhD student I am working on a project that investigates whether cognitive effort can facilitate pro-environmental behavior. It is a joint project together with Ruth Krebs and Anne Urai (Leiden University) that consists of several behavioral experiments. First, we will investigate the positive role of cognitive effort in an adapted version of a well-established effort paradigm in the laboratory. As a second step, we will conduct intervention studies that move beyond the lab and assess real-world climate action, namely, sustainable food consumption and support for climate movements.

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Onur Asci

Joshua Eayrs

Adrien Grondin - PhD student

After completing a master’s degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, I began my PhD with Ruth Krebs (co-supervised by Florian Lange) at Ghent University. My research examines the overlap and differences between prosocial and pro-environmental behavior. Using a range of paradigms to assess different types of effort investment, I aim to better understand how we can enhance individuals’ motivation to act more sustainably. To achieve this, I will collect behavioral, neurophysiological and self-report data.

Shiwei Yang - PhD student

As a PhD student, I am working on a project that investigates the psychological barriers preventing people from translating environmental knowledge into action. My research focuses on understanding why people systematically devalue environmental outcomes when they feel distant in time, space, or probability—a phenomenon known as judgmental discounting. My project is supervised by Prof. Ruth Krebs at Ghent University, and I am funded by China Scholarship Council and Prof. Ruth Krebs. My research will examine how these psychological distances influence the cognitive effort people are willing to invest for pro-environmental causes.

Nanne Kukkonen

Emmeline Hoogland - teaching assistant

My background in social, natural, and educational sciences allows me to combine different perspectives on how people develop lasting connections with nature. My PhD research focused on how young environmentalists construct their environmental identities through family and more-than-human learning. Taking an interdisciplinary and holistic approach, I aim to understand how engagement with pro-environmental behaviors and nature conservation can be supported across different learning contexts. Within the research team, I support research and science communication efforts at the intersection of psychology, climate, behavior change, and education.