I am trained as a developmental psychologist, with a focus on experimental (neuro-)psychology. I am associate professor at the Department of Educational and Family Sciences, and member of the 'LEARN!' Institute. 

The main focus of my research is on individual in the development of executive functions in relation to school performance. Executive functions are brain processes allowing someone to show goal-directed behavior, by flexibly adjusting to the changing circumstances in the environment. In doing so, we are, for example, able to show up on time, suppress outbursts for little reason, plan homework, or come up with alternative solutions. 

Together with Dr. Diana Smidts, I developed the Dutch adaptation of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) for children between ages 5 and 18. In addition, we co-authored a book on the development of executive function for the general audience: 'Gedrag in uitvoering'. 

Together with Dr. Dorien Graas and Dr. Anika Bexkens, I edited the book 'Kinderen met een licht verstandelijke beperking in het passend onderwijs. Visie op ondersteuning in de klas'. This book elaborates on a vision on the education of children with mild intellectual ability in inclusive education.

I am Director of Education of the Bachelor Program at the Department of Educational and Family Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

 In the academic year 2020-2021, I teach in the following courses:

• Leerling, Onderwijs en Begeleiding (B1; in Dutch)
• Mind, Brain and Education (B3)
• Educational Neuroscience (Research Master)

I coordinate of (and teach in) the course 'Passend Onderwijs' (B3)

I supervise several clinical internships and master's theses.

• Commissariaat voor de Media | Hilversum | Adviseur | 2012-12-01 - present
• Commissariaat voor de Media | Hilversum | Adviseur | 2016-12-01 - present

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