As the 2024 Flux congress approaches, the Flux Trainee Committee is excited to introduce you to some of your conference peers via our trainee research profiles. If you are a trainee (student, post-bacc, postdoc) and would like to be featured, please fill out our interest form.
At Flux, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of researchers who are shaping the future of developmental cognitive neuroscience. In our new Trainee Spotlight series, we will highlight the achievements, aspirations, and contributions of outstanding trainees within our community. These young scientists are not only pushing the boundaries of research but also embodying the spirit of collaboration and innovation that drives our field forward.
Today, we are excited to introduce Lonneke Elzinga. Let's dive into their journey, insights, and what motivates them to make a lasting impact in developmental cognitive neuroscience.
Lonneke Elzinga
Graduate Student, Leiden University
What is the focus of your research?
I focus on the mechanisms and development of effortful prosocial behavior and its relation to neural reward sensitivity across adolescence. Additionally, I am interested in the influence of moderators such as stress and socioeconomic background on prosocial behavior and their influence on the developmental trajectories.
What is your most interesting research finding so far?
Recently, we have been investigating the effect of stress on effortful prosocial behavior in a student population during exam periods and regular periods. Stress seems to negatively impact effortful prosocial behavior. We are now looking into whether a quadratic relationship exists as well. Is there an ideal amount of stress which might foster effortful prosocial behavior?
What do you enjoy doing when not researching?
Going to record stores to find and collect second hand records and playing soccer!
Best piece of advice you have received as a trainee:
It is important to learn to say no, but don't forget to say yes too. It might lead you to new fun experiences or the discovery of a new talent.
Do you have any advice for early-stage trainees?
When you are doing a PhD, papers are not your only output. Workshops you give, outreach activities, personal development etc. are all part of it.
Most useful resource you would recommend to other trainees:
https://andysbrainbook.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
Where can people learn more about your work at flux?
Poster #S100