Zoé Bürger

Hormonal contraception and stress reactivity in women

Zoé Bürger is a doctoral researcher in the research group „Innovative Neuroimaging“ (Head: Prof. Birgit Derntl). She joins the IRTG as an associate PhD student under supervision of Prof. Birgit Derntl and Prof. Erika Comasco. Her research focuses on the effects of hormonal contraception (specifically the hormonal IUD, but also oral contraceptives) on stress reactivity. For this, she investigates sex hormones and cortisol, but also subjective stress and physiological data such as heart rate and electrodermal activity. 

Before starting her PhD in 2019, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in biology in Strasbourg and did a masters in Neurobiology at the University of Tübingen.  

When she is not in the lab, she can be found taking care of her plants, playing board- and video games or doing yoga and bouldering.

Rui Wang

Rui Wang is a doctoral researcher in the “Women’s mental health and brain function” research group, led by Prof. Dr. Birgit Derntl. She joins the IRTG as an associate PhD student, supervised by Prof. Dr. Birgit Derntl (Tuebingen) and Prof. Dr. Erika Comasco (Uppsala). Her doctoral research focuses on sex differences in cortisol, the hormonal indicator of stress reactivity, and its relationship to mental disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. In addition, she also investigates brain structures related to stress.

Before coming to Tuebingen to start her PhD in 2021, Rui completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and her master’s degree in Applied Psychology in China.

In her free time, she enjoys walking and traveling with family and friends, unlocking ‘new maps’ and cuisines.

Luise Pfleiderer

 I am a medical student at the „Eberhard Karls Universität“ in Tübingen, currently in my eighth semester. Since May 2023, I have been engaged in an online study for the IRTG2804, which focuses on breast cancer, menopause, contraception, and their impact on female sexual health and arousal.

For my medical doctoral thesis, I am delving into the diverse effects of breast cancer surgeries on the sexual health and arousal of the patients.

Besides, I find great joy in beach volleyball and various outdoor sports.