Heidi Jacobs

Heidi Jacobs obtained her master’s degree in Biological Psychology from Maastricht University (Netherlands) in 2002. She then worked for several years in a clinical setting as a psychotherapist and neuropsychologist and in 2006 started her PhD. She completed her PhD in structural and functional brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease at Maastricht University in 2011. After her postdoctoral training at the Research Center in Jülich (Germany), she received the prestigious VENI-independence award allowing her to return to the Netherlands in 2014. In 2015, Heidi started working at MGH with Dr. Keith Johnson to learn more about PET-imaging in aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, Heidi is an Assistant Professor of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital of Harvard Medical School and visiting associate professor at Maastricht University. She directs the Jacobs Lab, also referred to as the blue spotters, with a focus on improving the early detection and treatment of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease by targeting the earliest brain sites of pathology (“ground zero”). She is a co-investigator within the Harvard Aging Brain Study and vice-chair of the “neuromodulatory subcortical systems” professional interest area of ISTAART. Her work is currently supported by the NIH-NIA and Alzheimer foundation funding.

Companies

• Associate Professor Maastricht University (2021)
• Vice-Chair Alzheimer's Association - ISTAART - Neuromodulatory Subcortical Systems PIA (2020)
• Assistant Professor of Radiology Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (2019)
• Assistant Professor Maastricht University (2015 — 2021)
• Instructor in Radiology Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School (2015 — 2019)
• Senior Researcher Maastricht University (2015 — 2015)
• Postdoc researcher - Neuropsychology Maastricht University (2011 — 2014)
• Postdoc researcher Forschungszentrum Jülich (2011 — 2014)
• Neuropsychology Researcher (PhD-student) - Cum laude University Maastricht (2006 — 2011)

Education

• Applied Biostatistics Harvard Medical School (2016 - 2017)
• Gezondheidszorgpsycholoog (GZ-psycholoog), Specialist in health care psychology Equivalence via BIG, Ministry of Health, The Netherlands (2013)
• PhD Cum laude, Neuroimaging / Neuropsychology Maastricht University (2006 - 2011)
• BKO Certificate - Basic Teaching Qualification (University level) Maastricht University (2011)
• Clinical neuropsychology (post academy degree) Ghent University (2007 - 2009)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy KU Leuven (2004 - 2007)
• GPB-opleiding / Teacher's degree HOGENT (2002 - 2004)
• Psychodiagnostics essius Hogeschool Antwerpen (2002 - 2004)
• Cum Laude Maastricht University (1996 — 2002)
• Heilig Grafinstituut (1990 — 1996)
• BFP - Court specialist course (2007)