Renate de Groot

Renate de Groot is appointed as Full Professor Biopsychology of Learning at the Welten Institute, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands. 

Renate’s scientific interest is centred on the biopsychological determinants (physical activity, nutrition, and sleep) of learning and cognition in lifelong perspective. Both observational studies as well as intervention studies are part of her core business. Since her own thesis defence in 2003 Renate supervised 19 PhD-students from which 10 already successfully defended their theses. Renate’s scientific input has up till now resulted in a hundred publications in peer reviewed scientific journals. 

Renate is chair of the department Fostering Efficient, Effective and Enjoyable Learning (FEEEL). In addition, she is program leader of the research group Biopsychology and Learning.

In that capacity she has the daily leadership, she chairs the monthly programme group, she supervises PhD-students, and she is in charge of the project coordination.

She is the contact person for a diverse range of collaborators both social as well as industry oriented. She is responsible for raising funds within the field of Brain and Learning and Biopsychological determinants for learning. This resulted in a substantial amount of financial support for her field of research. 

In addition, Renate is board member of ISSFAL (International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids), one of the most important scientific communities in her field. Renate also played an important role in the foundation of the ethical committee of the Open University and is now a well-respected board member of this committee. Renate is also applied as research coordinator of the Welten Institute.

Finally, Renate has an honorary position as Associate Professor at Maastricht University, department of Complex Genetics.