Dr Renate Reniers

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Birmingham Medical School, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Dr Reniers is a research psychologist investigating the neurobiological, clinical, and behavioural mechanisms underlying adolescent development and (youth) mental health, with a particular focus on the transition from health to disease and the at-risk mental state for psychosis. Her recent work investigates the impact of stress on brain and behaviour, and the integration of technology and AI in healthcare and medical education, encompassing neuroimaging, biomarkers, and behavioural science, as well as the application of natural language processing and extended reality tools in mental health care. Central to this research is the aim of using technology to foster empathy, improve clinical training and practice, and support patients and carers. Dr Reniers is the lead author of the widely used, translated, and validated Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy (QCAE).

Scientific Inspiration

Professor FG Moeller. As part of my MSc I undertook a research apprenticeship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H) under supervision of Professor Moeller. Convinced that my career would lie outside academia (policy making at government level really appealed at the time), I started my six months placement. It took less than three weeks for me to fall in love with research and the world of academia, and turn my career plans in this direction. Professor Moeller’s approach to science, being part of his incredibly dedicated, knowledgeable and accommodating research team, the opportunities to learn from the most talented and valued researchers in the field, and the freedom and space to develop, challenge and exceed my own knowledge and skills have shaped my approach, fascination and love for exploring the mysteries of the human brain and I will forever be grateful for that.

Research Groups

Institute for Mental Health

Centre for Human Brain Health (CHBH)

Institute of Clinical Sciences

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Engaged: I am interested and involved in your work, and work with you to make sure that you can accomplish your goals. Supportive: Doing a PhD is a challenging path that I will walk with you and I will support and guide you along the way. Vision: I will provide vision to your PhD; together we will look at the details without losing track of the bigger picture of your PhD and beyond.

Provision of Training

At the start of your PhD, we will share responsibility for your technical training. As you progress and become more and more an expert in your area of research, I will expect you to more independently figure out appropriate methods and changes to methodology.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I will expect you to take full ownership of your progression but to know that you can always come to me to discuss ideas, for guidance, or when you need help troubleshooting.

Communication

I like to have an open line of communication with my students and would like you to feel that you can contact me at any time. Sometimes, I will send e-mails in the evenings or at weekends; however, I will not expect you to do the same and encourage you to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I am there to support you and am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential. Together we can work towards solutions.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per month. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Stress: the good, the bad, …

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Stress: the good, the bad, …

Secondary Supervisor(s): Prof Zubair Ahmed

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Immunology, Neuroscience and Behaviour)

Project Outline

A little bit of stress in life is inevitable, and can actually be positive and promote wellbeing, for example by prompting you into action and helping you to meet your deadline. Research has shown that moderate, short-lived stress can improve alertness and performance, and boost memory, by strengthening connections between neurons in the brain. However, when stress is prolonged, severe, or chronic, it may leave you feeling overwhelmed, burned out, and unable to cope, and may have a harmful impact on your health and wellbeing.

How do we know when we have reached the point that the positive effects of stress are turning into negative consequences? How much stress, and for how long, can we endure before we reach this counterpoint? Answering these questions has the potential to impact on the development of interventions to improve outcomes in stress related (mental) illnesses and establish the conditions in which such an intervention would be effective.

The ambition for this project is to use the vast amount of knowledge and methodologies on assessing stress to investigate the mechanisms pointing towards and underlying this counterpoint. The project will draw on the supervisors’ expertise in stress research and methods including biomarker assessment using blood, urine, saliva, and hair samples, structural and functional neuroimaging, and questionnaire and behavioural assessments. The project will bring a unique biopsychosocial perspective to the causal inference of stress on (mental) health and wellbeing.

APPLY HERE