Curious about the personal experiences of our students and alumni?
We like to ask our students and alumni to tell us about their experiences, passions and other reasons to follow the two-year Genes in Behaviour and Health Research Master’s programme.
You are welcome to read the testimonials of Diewertje, Noa, Melanie, Jana, Penghao, Shalina and Tim!
After finishing the Master Genes in Behaviour and Health, Diewertje Houtman chose to focus more on the societal aspects of developments in the field of genomics. 'I would recommend this master’s programme if you are intrigued by the role genes play in differences between people and you want to get to the bottom of its complexity.'
Noa van der Plas is fascinated in both biological psychology and complex behaviour. There is still much to be discovered, Noa experienced during her Master-period.
'When I first heard of the Master Genes in Behaviour and Health, I immediately knew this was what I wanted to pursue. And I have never regretted this decision ever since. During the Bachelor programme in Psychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam I was involved with genetic science due to the track I followed there. I enjoyed it so much I was truly excited when I heard about the set up of this Master.
Jana Hirzinger didn't expect that her background in Pyschology would fit in so well in a research master programme. 'I can say that this programme only increased my passion for research.'
After obtaining my Bachelor's degree in applied psychology, I decided to explore the biological mechanism underlying psychology in the future. This motivation guided me to this Master's program in Genes in Behavior and Health, which provides a very special combination of psychology and genetics.
'During the bachelor Psychology, which I also followed at VU Amsterdam, I mostly enjoyed all research and biology-related courses. This led me to consider a research master. My first thought was the master neuroscience, as this is was the ‘best known’ research master at the time and it fit my interests. However, during the minor ‘Genes, brain and behavior’ I noticed my interest in genetics was growing.'
Tim van der Es investigates the relationship between cognition and psychiatric disorders using genetics. 'I would recommend this program to students who are curious. To those who want to understand and dissect the driving forces behind human behavior.'
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