March 2017
CURRICULUM VITAE
Dr. Olga Maria Klimecki-Lenz
(born: Klimecki)
Senior Researcher (Medicine and Psychology)
University of Geneva, Switzerland
date of birth: 08/01/1984
married, one child (born 2016)
STATEMENT OF INTEREST
I am a psychologist and neuroscientist interested in understanding the neural mechanisms that shape our social emotions in adaptive ways. Furthermore, I am interested in novel approaches to promote healthy ageing.
Jointly with Prof. David Sander, I am coordinating a research focus on the role of emotions in conflict resolution at the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences (University of Geneva, Switzerland):
http://www.affective-sciences.org/home/research/projects-and-foci/research-foci/emotions-and-conflict/ I am also the leader of the workpackage Emotion in the European project Medit-Ageing (deputy of the workpackage Emotion: Prof. Dr. Patrik Vuilleumier; main coordinator of Medit-Ageing: Dr. Gaël Chetelat). In our workpackage, we are investigating how mental health and well-being can be promoted through mental training in the ageing population. Our particular focus is on the role of emotions, their malleability and their underlying brain function: http://www.affective-sciences.org/home/research/projects-and-foci/research-foci/healthy-ageing/
In my doctoral research under the supervision of Prof. Tania Singer (2007-2012), I investigated neural, behavioral, and emotional plasticity induced by training social emotions like compassion and empathy with meditation-based techniques. The results of these longitudinal studies in adults provided evidence for the plasticity of social emotions spanning the levels of neural function, emotional resilience, and helping behavior.
I extended this line of research to aggressive behavior with a BRIDGE/Marie Curie fellowship at the University of Geneva from 2013 - 2015.
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October 2017
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
Since 09/2017 Maître Assistante (Oberassistent/ senior researcher and group leader) with
Prof. Patrik Vuilleumier (Medicine) at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.
08/2016-08/2017 Maître Assistante (Oberassistent/ senior researcher and group leader) with
Prof. David Sander (Psychology) and Prof. Patrik Vuilleumier (Medicine) at the
University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Since 01/2016 Leader of the workpackage “Emotions” and Co-PI in the European project
“Medit-Ageing” at the University of Geneva, Switzerland (deputy: Prof. Dr. Patrik
Vuilleumier).
Since 02/2015 Coordinating the research focus "Emotion and conflict resolution" (jointly with
Prof. Dr. David Sander) at the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of
Geneva, Switzerland.
01/2013 - 01/2015 Marie-Curie/Bridge postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Dr. David Sander
(Psychology) and Prof. Dr. Patrik Vuilleumier (Medicine) at the University of
Geneva, Switzerland.
09/2012-12/2012 Postdoctoral researcher with Prof. Dr. Tania Singer at the Max-Planck Institute
for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
09/2010-09/2012 Assistant researcher with Prof. Dr. Tania Singer at the Max-Planck Institute for
Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
10/2007-9/2010 Assistant researcher with Prof. Dr. Tania Singer at the Institute of empirical
economics (Director: Prof. Dr. Ernst Fehr), University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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October 2017
EDUCATION
09/2012 PhD defense in Psychology (“summa cum laude”) at the University of Zurich,
Switzerland; supervisors: Prof. Dr. Lutz Jäncke, Prof. Dr. Tania Singer.
9/2006-9/2007 MSc Neuroscience at University College London (UCL), UK. Supervisor: Dr.
Beau Lotto, Institute of Ophthalmology.
1/2006-8/2006 Diplomarbeit (comparable to a master’s thesis) in Psychology Johannes
Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gerd Vossel,
Matthias Gamer.
10/2005 Vordiplom (comparable to a BA) in Psychology at Johannes Gutenberg
University, Mainz, Germany.
6/2003 Abitur (final high school examination with "1,0", range 1-6 with 1 = very good) in
Wiesbaden, Germany.
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October 2017
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
07/2017-07/2019 Funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for the Network
“Understanding Others – Integration of Social Cognitive and Affective
Processes” with Dr. Dana Schneider (EUR 35'291)
07/2016-08/2017 Funding from the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) for the
project “The Role of Emotions in Conflict Resolution” with Prof. Dr. David Sander
(CHF 77'000)
01/2016-12/2020 Leader of the workpackage "Emotion" and Co-PI on the European grant
"Medit-Ageing" (project ID: 667696; total grant volume: EUR 6’992’006; grant
volume for my workpackage "Emotion": EUR 860'375)
11/2015-08/2017 Funding from the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) for
project on “Affective and Social Signals in Mediation” (CHF 5'000)
2014 Early Career Award from the Society for Social Neuroscience (received in
Washington, USA)
2013 Evens Science Prize for the project “Upregulating the neural substrates of
empathy via neurofeedback” with Prof. Dr. John Gruzelier, Prof. Dr. David Sander
and Dr. Tomas Ros (EUR 30’000)
01/2013-01/2015 Marie Curie/Bridge postdoctoral fellowship for the University of Geneva,
Switzerland (about CHF 220'000)
10/2008-10/2009 Research Funding from the University of Zurich for “Neural Foundations of
Empathy Learning” (Forschungskredit No 53990601; CHF 43’776)
10/2008-09/2010 Research Funding from the Neuroscience Center Zurich for “Neural
foundations of empathy training“, (EUR 142’800) together with Prof. Dr. Tania
Singer
2004 - 09/2007 Scholar of the German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung des
deutschen Volkes)
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October 2017
ORGANIZATION OF CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND SYMPOSIA
10/2017 Organization of the international workshop "Concept Definitons of the
Phenomena Theory of Mind, Empathy, and Related Social Behaviors in
Interpersonal Interactions" with the speakers Prof. Dr. Shaun Gallagher
(University of Memphis, USA), Prof. Dr. Stephanie Preston (University of
Michigan, USA) and Dr. Matthias Schurz (Oxford University, UK) in the DFG-
network "Understanding Others – Integration of Social Cognitive and Affective
Processes" in Jena, Germany (with Dr. Dana Schneider, University of Jena).
03/2017 Organization of the symposium (with Dr. Dana Schneider) “The role of Theory
of Mind and Empathy in Human Interactions from a Psychological and
Neuroscientific Perspective” at the International Convention of Psychological
Science, in Vienna, Austria.
02/2016 Organization of a workshop with Prof. Eran Halperin (University of Herzliya,
Israel), Prof. Simon Hug (University of Geneva) and Maud Roure (interpeace):
“The role of emotions in conflict resolution”, in Geneva, Switzerland.
10/2015 Organization of workshop with Jeremy Lack, Lucien Gyger, Linda Amrar &
Matthieu Vétois: “How Can Neurobiology and Affective Sciences Contribute to
Conflict Resolution?” during the Geneva Peace Week, in Geneva, Switzerland.
10/2015 Organization of two workshops, together with Francois Bogacz and Jeremy
Lack, “What does neuroscience tell us about human conflict?” at the conference
"conflict matters" in Brussels, Belgium.
07/2015 Organization of the symposium “The Role of Emotions in Negotiation and
Conflict Resolution” at the International Society for Research on Emotion, in
Geneva, Switzerland.
07/2015 Organization of the workshop with Francois Bogacz and Jeremy Lack “Applying
affective sciences to conflict resolution and peacebuilding – bridging research
and practice” at the International Society for Research on Emotion, in Geneva,
Switzerland.
04/2012 Organization of the symposium “Neural Substrates of Compassion” at the
International Symposia for Contemplative Studies, in Denver, USA.
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October 2017
01/2006-3/2006 Assisted in preparing and carrying out the "Tagung experimentell arbeitender
Psychologen" (Conference on Experimental Psychology), in Mainz, Germany.
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October 2017
TEACHING
05/2017 Course: "Neuroscience of Conflict" for the "Executive Course: Neurophilosophy
of Global Security", Geneva Centre for Security Policy Geneva, Switzerland.
03/2017 Single Lecture: "Involvement of the social brain in cooperation and competition"
for biology and psychology students in the course "Science and Ethics: Inputs
from Neuroscience, Genetics and Evolution" at the University of Geneva,
Switzerland.
spring 2017 Block Lectures: ”Gehirn und Verhalten“ (Brain and Behavior) at the Institut für
Psychologie-Transfer, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
spring 2017 Seminar: “Emotions et conflits” (Emotions and conflitcs) for Master students of
Psychology, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
12/2016 Course: "Compassion et Neuroscience" (Compassion and Neuroscience) for the
"Diplôme Universitaire de Médecine Méditation et Neurosciences" (University
Diploma in Medicine, Meditation and Neuroscience) at the University of
Strasbourg, France.
05/2016 Course: "Neuroscience of Conflict" for the "Neuro-Philosophy of Global Security:
Governance, Geopolitics, and Leadership", Geneva Centre for Security Policy,
Geneva, Switzerland.
04/2016 Course: "Empathie et Compassion" (Empathy and Compassion) for the "Haute
école de travail social et de la santé", Lausanne, Switzerland.
04/2016 Single Lecture: "Compassion et Empathie" (Compassion and Empathy) for
undergraduates in psychology at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.
spring 2016 Seminar: “Emotions et conflits” (Emotions and conflitcs) for Master students of
Psychology, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
spring 2016 Block Lectures: ”Gehirn und Verhalten“ (Brain and Behavior) at the Institut für
Psychologie-Transfer, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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October 2017
02/2016 Course: "Neuroscience and Conflict Resolution" for the "Leadership in
International Security Course" at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy,
Geneva, Switzerland.
01/2016 Course: "Compassion et Neuroscience" (Compassion and Neuroscience) for the
"Diplôme Universitaire de Médecine Méditation et Neurosciences" (University
Diploma in Medicine, Meditation and Neuroscience) at the University of
Strasbourg, France.
10/2015 Single Lecture: "Influence des émotions sur la cognition et la prise de décision"
(Influence of emotions on cognition and decision-making) for master students in
psychology at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Autumn 2015 Block Lectures: ”Empathie Training“ (Empathy Training) at the Institut für
Psychologie-Transfer (Institute for Psychology Transfer) in Zurich, Switzerland.
Spring 2015 Block Lectures: ”Gehirn und Verhalten“ (Brain and Behavior) at the Institut für
Psychologie-Transfer (Institute for Psychology Transfer) in Zurich, Switzerland.
12/2014 Teaching a one day course on "Compassion et Neuroscience" (Compassion and
Neuroscience) for the "Diplôme Universitaire de Médecine Méditation et
Neurosciences" (University Diploma in Medicine, Meditation and Neuroscience)
at the University of Strasbourg, France.
12/2014 Single Lecture: "Compassion et Empathie" (Compassion and Empathy) for
undergraduates in psychology at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.
08/2014 Teaching at Summer Research Institute of Mind and Life Europe: "Training
Compassion - Effects on Subjective Experience, Prosocial Behavior and Brain
Function", Fraueninsel, Chiemsee, Germany.
11/2013 Block course: ”Training: Mitgefühl und Empathie aus neuropsychologischer
Perspektive“ (Training compassion and empathy from a neuropsychological
perspective) at the Institut für Psychologie-Transfer (Institute for Psychology
Transfer) in Zurich, Switzerland.
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 9
October 2017
2008-2009 Teaching 2 Semesters of the Graduate Seminar “Social Neuroscience” at the
University of Zurich, Switzerland (with Romana Snozzi and Tania Singer).
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 10
October 2017
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
PhD students
Since 2016 Supervision of PhD thesis of Patricia Cernadas Curotto (funded by the Swiss
National Science Foundation): “Testing compassion as a new emotion regulation
strategy for promoting conflict resolution” University of Geneva, Switzerland (with
Prof. Dr. David Sander, Psychology, University of Geneva and Prof. Eran
Halperin, Psychologie, University of Herzliya, Israel).
Since 2016 Supervision of PhD thesis of Sebastian Baez Lugo: “Physiological and
Neuroscientific Basis of Emotion Regulation in Elderly” at the University of
Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. Patrik Vuilleumier,
Neuroscience Department, University of Geneva, Switzerland).
Since 2015 Supervision of PhD thesis of Francois Bogacz: “Using Affective and Social
Signals to improve conflict resolution in mediation” at the University of Geneva,
Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. Thierry Pun, Computer Science
Department, University of Geneva, Switzerland).
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October 2017
Master Students
2017/2019 Supervision of master thesis in Medicine (Clara Bordas): “Neural substrates of
ageing” at the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr.
Patrik Vuilleumier and with Sebastian Baez Lugo).
2017/2019 Supervision of master thesis in Medicine (Silvia De Cataldo): “Neural substrates
of ageing” at the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof.
Dr. Patrik Vuilleumier and with Sebastian Baez Lugo).
2017/2019 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Benjamin Boaz Feldman): “Does
compassion training improve couple interactions during conflict?” at the
University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. David Sander
and Patricia Cernadas Curotto).
2017/2019 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Gladys Balthasar): “The impact of
compassion training on couple conflict” at the University of Geneva, Geneva,
Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. David Sander and Patricia Cernadas
Curotto).
2017/2019 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Caroline Miron-Lapointe): “The
impact of compassion training on couple conflict” at the University of Geneva,
Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. David Sander and Patricia
Cernadas Curotto).
2017/2019 Supervision of master thesis in Neuroscience (Christel Maradan): “Comparing
empathic neural responses in young and old adults” at the University of Geneva,
Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. Patrik Vuilleumier and with
Sebastian Baez Lugo).
2017/2019 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Julia Sachs): “Comparing empathic
neural responses in young and old adults” at the University of Geneva, Geneva,
Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. David Sander and with Sebastian Baez
Lugo).
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 12
October 2017
2016/2018 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Matthieu Vétois): “The role of
emotions in conflict resolution” at the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
(together with Prof. Dr. David Sander).
2016/2018 Supervision of master thesis in Neuroscience (Niloufar Pouyan): “Relationship
between personality traits and responders vs. non-responders to meditation
training” at the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof.
Dr. Christine Mohr, University of Lausanne).
2016/2018 Supervision of master thesis in Neuroscience (Halima Rafi): “Neural Bases of
Conflict Resolution” at the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together
with Prof. Dr. David Sander).
2015/2017 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Linda Amrar): “The effect of
Frustration on Aggression” at the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
(together with Prof. Dr. David Sander).
2014/2016 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Milica Garic): “Fostering Conflict
Resolution” at the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together with
Prof. Dr. David Sander).
2014/2016 Supervision of master thesis in Neuroscience (Lucien Gyger):
“Neurophysiological substrates of interpersonal conflict” at the University of
Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. David Sander).
2013/2015 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Alexandra Anastaze): “Relation
between character traits and brain responses in the inequality task” at the
University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (together with Prof. Dr. David
Sander).
2010/2011 Supervision of master thesis in Psychology (Etna Engeli): “Plasticity in
Compassion versus Empathic Distress: The Influence of Affective Dispositions
on Brain Responses to Aversive Stimuli” at the University of Zurich, Switzerland
(together with Prof. Dr. Tania Singer).
In addition supervision of more than 30 Bachelor- and Masterstudents in internships.
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 13
October 2017
PUBLICATIONS
Peer Reviewed
Forthcoming
Klimecki, O.M., Schweinberger, S.R. (forthcoming). Soziale Neurobiologie. In U.T. Egle, C. Heim, B.
Strauß and R. v. Känel (Eds). Psychosomatische Medizin 3.0 - Neurobiologisch fundiert -
Evidenzbasiert. W.Kohlhammer.
Klimecki, O.M., Sander, D. (forthcoming). A psychological and neuroscientific view on contempt. In
P. Lombardo and K. Mulligan (Eds.) Contempt. Oxford University Press.
Klimecki, O.M., Sander, D., Vuilleumier, P. (in revision at Scientific Reports). Distinct prefrontal
areas regulate anger and subsequent aggression. [impact factor 5.58]
Mayer, S., Jusyte, A., Klimecki-Lenz, O., Schönenberg, M. (submitted). Empathy and altruistic
behavior in antisocial violent offenders with psychopathic traits.
2017
Klimecki, O.M., Singer, T. (2017). The Compassionate Brain. In J.R. Doty, M. Worline, E. Simon-
Thomas, D. Cameron and S. Brown (Eds.) Oxford Handbook on Compassion Science. Oxford
University Press.
Bogacz, F., Klimecki, O.M. (2017). How do emotions impact conflicts? A neuroscientific perspective.
In B. Lewandowska-Tomaszczyk, P. Wilson and S. Croucher (Eds.). Approaches to Conflict:
Theoretical, Interpersonal, and Discursive Dynamics. Lexington Books.
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 14
October 2017
2016
Klimecki, O.M., Mayer, S.V., Jusyte, A., Scheeff, J., Schönenberg, M. (2016). Empathy promotes
altruistic behavior in economic interactions. Scientific Reports, 6, 31961. [impact factor 5.58]
Klimecki, O.M., Vuilleumier, P., Sander, D. (2016). The impact of emotions and empathy-related
traits on punishment behavior: Introduction and Validation of the Inequality Game. PLoS One, 11(3):
e0151028. [impact factor 3.23]
2015
Klimecki, O.M. (2015). The Plasticity of Social Emotions. Social Neuroscience. 10, 466-473. [impact
factor 3.65]
Klimecki, O., & Singer, T. (2015). Compassion. In: A.W. Toga (Ed.) Brain Mapping: An Encyclopedic
Reference, vol. 3, pp. 195-199. San Diego: Academic Press Elsevier.
2014
Singer, T., Klimecki, O.M. (2014). Empathy and Compassion. Current Biology, 24, R875-R878.
[impact factor 10.13]
Klimecki, O., Leiberg, S., Ricard, M., Singer, T. (2014). Differential Pattern of Functional Brain
Plasticity after Compassion and Empathy Training. Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 9,
873–879. [impact factor 7.37]
Bernhardt, B.*, Klimecki, O.*, Leiberg, S., Singer T. (2014). Structural Covariance Networks of the
Dorsal Anterior Insula Predict Females’ Individual Differences in Empathic Responding. Cerebral
Cortex, 24, 2189-98. (* shared first authorship) [impact factor 8.67]
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 15
October 2017
2013
Klimecki, O., Leiberg, S., Lamm, C., Singer, T. (2013). Functional neural plasticity and associated
changes in positive affect after compassion training. Cerebral Cortex, 23, 1552–1561. [impact factor
8.67]
Klimecki, O., & Singer, T. (2013). Empathy from the perspective of social neuroscience. In: J.
Armony & P. Vuilleumier (Eds.), Handbook of Human Affective Neuroscience, pp. 533-551. New
York: Cambridge University Press.
2012
Gamer, M., Klimecki, O., Bauermann, T., Stoeter, P., Vossel G. (2012). fMRI-activation patterns in
the detection of concealed information rely on memory-related effects. Social, Cognitive and Affective
Neuroscience. 7, 506-515. [impact factor 7.37]
Klimecki, O., & Singer, T. (2012). Empathic distress fatigue rather than compassion fatigue?
Integrating findings from empathy research in psychology and social neuroscience. In B. Oakley,
A.Knafo, G. Madhavan, & D. S. Wilson (Eds.), Pathological altruism (pp. 368-383). New York: Oxford
University Press.
2011
Leiberg, S., Klimecki, O., Singer, T. (2011). Short-term compassion training increases prosocial
behavior in a newly developed prosocial game. PLoS One, 6, e17798. [impact factor 3.23]
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 16
October 2017
Other Publications Klimecki, O., Sander, D. (2017). Anger and its relation to Aggression. In D. Sander (Ed). Emotions. Zurich, BENTELI publishing. Klimecki, O., Vuilleumier, P. (2017). Anger. In D. Sander (Ed). Emotions. Zurich: BENTELI publishing.
Klimecki, O. (2016). Malleable Emotions. Insight for Webpage of Center for Empathy in International
Affairs. http://www.centerforempathy.org/malleable-emotions/
Klimecki, O. (2016). Mehr Mitgefühl. Gehirn und Geist. 2/2016, 52-57.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Plastizität im sozialen Gehirn – wie wir unsere Emotionen trainieren können.
(Plasticity in the social brain - how we can train our emotions.) In: H. Fink and R. Rosenzweig (Eds.)
Das soziale Gehirn - Neurowissenschaft und menschliche Bindung. Münster: Mentis.
Klimecki, O. (2014). Emotionales Verstehen. Die Rolle von Empathie und Mitgefühl. (Emotional
Understanding. The role of empathy and compassion) In: S. Schulte (Ed.) ach so verstehen wir.
Interdisziplinäre Gespräche übers Verstehen. Münster: Waxmann Verlag.
Klimecki, O., Ricard, M., & Singer, T., (2013). Empathy versus Compassion – Lessons from 1st and
3rd Person Methods. In: T. Singer & M. Bolz (Eds.) Compassion: From Theory, to Training, to
Neuroscience. A Multimedia Book.
Klimecki, O.M. (2013). Training the Compassionate and the Empathic Brain. (Doctoral dissertation).
University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 17
October 2017
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Klimecki, O. (2017). Das trainierbare Gehirn – wie Mitgefühlstraining den Umgang mit Leid
verändern kann. (The malleable brain – how compassion training can change the dealing with
suffering). Invited Talk for the Institute of Medical Psychology and for the Sozietät Jaspers, University
Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2017). Die Rolle von Empathie und Perspektivübernahme in Konflikten – Ergebnisse
aus psychologischer und neurowissenschaftlicher Forschung. (The role of empathy and perspective
taking in conflicts - results from psychological and neuroscientific research). Invited Talk for Landau
Peace Lecture, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2017) Effets de l’entraînement de la compassion: implications pour les professions
médico-soignantes. (Effects of training compassion: implications for medical and caregiving
professions) Invited colloquium talk at the University Hospital Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2017). Anger and the inhibition of aggressive behavior – the role of empathy, theory of
mind and neural control mechanisms. Talk at the Symposium “The role of Theory of Mind and
Empathy in Human Interactions from a Psychological and Neuroscientific Perspective” at the
International Convention of Psychological Science, in Vienna, Austria.
Klimecki, O. (2017). The impact of compassion training on dealing with suffering - evidence from
psychology and neurosciences. Invited talk at the English Speaking Cancer Association, Geneva,
Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2017). Entraînement de la compassion et du comportement prosocial. (Training of
compassion and prosocial behavior). Talk at the Semaine du Cerveau (Brain Week) at the University
of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2017). Invited discussion of the film " Vers un monde altruiste?" at the "festival du film
vert" in Rolle, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2016). Wie unser Gehirn adaptive Emotionen lernen kann. Invited talk at the
Symposium “Gesundes Lehren und Lernen (GLL) an der EAH Jena - Neurowissenschaftliche
Grundlagen und erste Evaluationsergebnisse” (Healthy Teaching and Learning at the EAH Jena -
Neuroscientific foundations and first results from the evaluation), Ernst-Abbe Hochschule Jena, Jena,
Germany.
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 18
October 2017
Klimecki, O. (2016). Multidisciplinary Approaches to Governance: Contributions of Neurosciences.
Invited talk at the professional seminar on “Water Security: Enhancing Multi-Stakeholder
Partnerships”, Geneva Centre for Security Policy Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2016). Shaping the Social Brain for Cooperation. Invited talk at the University of
Lausanne, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2016). Empathie et Compassion. (Empathy and Compassion) Invited talk for the Haute
école de travail social et de la santé, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2015). How Can Affective Sciences Contribute To Conflict Resolution And
Peacebuilding? Invited talk for the Mediator Breakfast of the Chambre Suisse de Médiation
Commerciale, Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Conflict or Cooperation? - How can emotions shape our behavior. Keynote talk
at the conference "conflict matters" in Brussels, Belgium.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Testing antisocial behavior with the inequality game. Presentation at the
BBL/CIBM Research day Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Opposing influence of empathic concern and empathic distress on conflict
behavior. Talk at the symposium “The Role of Emotions in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution” at the
International Society for Research on Emotion, Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Empathy and Social Behavior. Invited colloquium talk at the University of
Tübingen, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Empathie und Compassion: Eine neurobiologisch fundierte Perspektive.
(Empathy and Compassion: a neurobiological perspective) invited talk for the Psychosomatic
Colloquium on Tuesdays, University of Freiburg, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Konflikt oder Kooperation? Menschliches Sozialverhalten aus
neuropsychologischer Sicht. Invited talk for the Studium Generale on the Evolution of Cooperation at
the University of Mainz, Germany.
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 19
October 2017
Klimecki, O.M. (2015). Konflikt oder Kooperation? Wie das soziale Gehirn unser Verhalten prägt.
(Conflict or Cooperation? How the Social Brain Shapes our Behavior). Symposium Talk at 28.
Jahrestagung des Symposiums Friedenspsychologie, Marburg, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Contributions to Conflict Resolution from Affective Sciences. Invited talk at
Interpeace, Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2015). Shaping the Social Brain for Cooperation. Invited talk at Centre of Research of
the Brain & Spine Institute, Hôpital de la Salpetrière, Paris, France.
Klimecki, O. (2015). The influence of empathy-related emotions on social behavior. Invited talk at
the University of Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Klimecki, O. (2015). The Role of Empathy in Social Interactions - a Tale of Two Systems. Invited talk
for the Colloquium Social Psychology and Social Neuroscience, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2014). Plasticity of Social Emotions. Early career award talk at Society for Social
Neuroscience meeting in Washington, DC, USA.
Klimecki, O. (2014). Plasticity of the Social Brain. Invited talk at Person Perception Workshop in
Jena, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2014). Plasticity of Empathy and Compassion – a Neuropsychological Perspective
Keynote lecture at the Workshop of Interpersonal Accuracy in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2014). Plastizität im sozialen Gehirn – Wie wir unsere Emotionen trainieren können.
(Plasticity in the social brain – how we can train our emotions) Invited talk at meeting „Das soziale
Gehirn“ (The social brain) in Fürth, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2014). Surmonter la souffrance par l'entraînement de la compassion. (Overcoming
suffering through compassion training.) Talk for the Red Cross Exhibition “Trop Humain”, Geneva,
Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2014) Einführung in Empathie, Mitgefühl und Achtsamkeit. (Introduction to Empathy,
Compassion and Mindfulness). Invited talk at Bundesgeschäftsführertagung der Waldorfschulen,
Berlin, Germany.
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October 2017
Klimecki, O. (2014). S'entraîner à l'empathie ou à la compassion ? Une perspective
neuropsychologique. (Training empathy or compassion? A neuropsychological perspective.) Invited
talk at Association Neuchâteloise d’Accueil et d’Action Psychiatrique, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2013). How can Empathy contribute to Social Problem Solving? Invited talk at
Research Seminar in Person Perception in Jena, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2013). Overcoming Empathic Distress. Invited talk at Conference on “Humanitarian
Workers: Personal Ethics, Psychology, and Lifestyle” in Oxford, UK.
Klimecki, O. (2013). Emotionales Verstehen – Empathie und Mitgefühl in neurowissenschaftlicher
Sicht. (Emotional understanding – empathy and compassion from a neuroscientific point of view)
Invited talk at the Meeting “ach so verstehen wir” (this is how we understand) in Münster, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2013). Training Compassion – Effects on Behavior, Experience and Brain Function.
Symposium talk at the 13. Biannual Congress of the Swiss Psychological Society in Basel,
Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2013). Differentielle neuronale und affektive Plastizitaet nach Empathie- und
Mitgefuehlstraining. (Differential neural and affective plasticity after empathy and compassion
training) Symposium talk at the conference Psychologie und Gehirn (Psychology and Brain),
Wuerzburg, Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2013). Neuronale Plastizität von Meditation. (Neural Plasticity of Meditation) Invited
talk at the Congress of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Klinische Neurophysiologie und funktionelle
Bildgebung (German Society for Clinical Neurophysiology and Functional Imaging) in Leipzig,
Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2013). La neuroscience de l’empathie et de la compassion. (The neuroscience of
empathy and compassion) Brain Awareness Week, Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2013). The Zurich Prosocial Game and Compassion Training. Invited talk in the
Bavelier Lab, Faculty of Psychology, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O. (2013). Differential Pattern of Functional Brain Plasticity after Compassion and
Empathy Training. Symposium talk at the Alpine Brain Imaging Meeting, Champery, Switzerland.
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October 2017
Klimecki, O. (2012). The neuroscience of empathy. Keynote lecture at Empathy and Compassion in
Society Conference, London, UK.
Klimecki, O. (2012). The neuroscience of empathy and compassion. Invited keynote talk at Youth
Gathering preceding Empathy and Compassion in Society Conference, London, UK.
Klimecki, O. (2012) Können wir unser emotionales Gehirn trainieren? (Can we train our emotional
brain?) Science Slam during the Long Night of Science) Leipzig, Germany. (Winning presentation)
Klimecki, O. (2012). Plasticity in the Compassionate Brain. Symposium talk at the International
Symposia for Contemplative Studies, Denver, USA.
Klimecki, O., Leiberg, S., Lamm, C., & Singer, T. (2012). Evidence for neural plasticity and
associated changes in positive affect after compassion training. Symposium talk at the Tagung
experimentell arbeitender Psychologen (Conference on Experimental Psychology), Mannheim,
Germany.
Klimecki, O. (2011). Compassion vs. empathic distress and memory training as an active control
group. Talk presented at the workshop "How to Train Compassion", organized by Max-Planck
Institute Leipzig, taking place in Berlin, Germany.
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October 2017
POSTERS
Cernadas Curotto, P., Barsics, C., Klimecki, O., Sander, D., D’Argembeau, A., & Van der Linden, M.
(2017). The influence of future thinking on prosocial behavior. Poster presented at the workshop
"Concept Definitons of the Phenomena Theory of Mind, Empathy, and Related Social Behaviors in
Interpersonal Interactions" in Jena, Germany. (Best Poster Award)
Baez, S., Vuilleumier, P., Klimecki, O. (2017). Exploring the neural network of empathy and its
modulation in the ageing brain. Poster presented at the workshop "Concept Definitons of the
Phenomena Theory of Mind, Empathy, and Related Social Behaviors in Interpersonal Interactions" in
Jena, Germany.
Vétois, M., Sander, D., Klimecki, O. (2017). The impact of emotional awareness and perspective
taking on interpersonal conflicts. Poster presented at the workshop "Concept Definitons of the
Phenomena Theory of Mind, Empathy, and Related Social Behaviors in Interpersonal Interactions" in
Jena, Germany.
Cernadas, P., Vétois, M., Bogacz, F., Klimecki, O. (2017). Factors that lead to conflict escalation
and interventions that promote conflict resolution. Poster presented at the United Nations Geneva
Open Day, Geneva, Switzerland.
Gyger, L., Vuilleumier, P., Sander, D., & Klimecki, O. (2015). Neural substrates of anger and
forgiveness behavior. Poster presented at the 14th congress of the Swiss Psychological Society,
Geneva, Switzerland.
Gyger, L., Vuilleumier, P., Sander, D., & Klimecki, O. (2015). Neural substrates of anger and
forgiveness behavior. Poster presented at the Brain and Behavior Lab / Centre d'imagerie
biomédicale Research Day, Geneva, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O., Vuilleumier, P., & Sander, D. (2014). Emotions and actions in response to unfair
behavior. Poster presented at Consortium of European Research on Emotion Conference, Berlin,
Germany.
Klimecki, O., Vuilleumier, P., & Sander, D. (2014). Introducing the Inequality Game. Poster
presented at Annual Research Forum, Geneva, Switzerland.
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October 2017
Klimecki, O., Vuilleumier, P., & Sander, D. (2014). Introducing the Inequality Game. Poster
presented at Alpine Brain Imaging Meeting, Champery, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O., Vuilleumier, P., & Sander, D. (2013). The Unfair Game - A new paradigm to test
emotional and behavioral reactions to injustice. Poster presented at the Symposium on Stress, Brain
and Behavior, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O., Leiberg, S., Ricard, M., & Singer, T. (2013). First and third person perspective on
training empathy and compassion. Poster presented at the Summer School “Embodied
Intersubjectivity: from the 1st person to the 2nd person perspective”, Aegina, Greece.
Bernhardt, B.C., Klimecki, O.M., Leiberg, S, & Singer, T. (2013). Structural Covariance Networks of
Dorsal Anterior Insula Predict Individual Differences in Empathic Responding. Poster presented at
Human Brain Mapping, Seattle, USA.
Klimecki, O., Leiberg, S., Ricard, M., & Singer, T. (2013). First and third person perspective on
training empathy and compassion. Poster presented at Cortex, Lyon, France.
Klimecki, O., Leiberg, S., Lamm, C., & Singer, T. (2012). Functional neural plasticity and associated
changes in positive affect after compassion training. Poster presented at Social & Affective
Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting, New York, USA.
Klimecki, O., Leiberg, S., Lamm, C., & Singer, T. (2012). Neural and behavioral changes related to
compassion training. Poster presented at Alpine Brain Imaging Meeting, Champery, Switzerland.
Klimecki, O., Leiberg, S., Lamm, C., & Singer, T. (2011). Neural and behavioral changes related to
compassion training. Poster presented at the workshop “The Social Brain", organized by MRC
Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Leiberg, S., Clos, M., Sorger, B., Klimecki, O., Goebel, R., & Singer, T. (2010). Effects of real-time
functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback from the ventral striatum in
compassion meditation training. Poster presented at the “Alpine Brain Imaging Meeting”, Champery,
Switzerland.
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October 2017
Leiberg, S., Clos, M., Sorger, B., Klimecki, O., Goebel, R., & Singer, T. (2010). Effects of real-time
functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback from the ventral striatum in
compassion meditation training. Poster presented at the Human Brain Mapping Conference,
Barcelona, Spain.
Gamer, M., Klimecki, O., & Vossel, G. (2009). Emotionale Modulation des Gedächtnisses im
Tatwissentest. (Emotional modulation of memory in the guilty knowledge test) Poster presented at
the 35. Arbeitstagung Psychophysiologie und Methodik, Leipzig, Germany.
Leiberg, S., Klimecki, O., & Singer, T. (2008). Training compassion with real-time Functional
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - First Insights. Poster presented at the International Symposium
"Foundations of Human Social Behavior", University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Gamer, M., Klimecki, O., Bauermann, T., Stoeter, P., & Vossel, G. (2007). Relevanz von
Reaktionskonflikten und Gedächtnisprozessen bei der Verarbeitung verheimlichten Wissens. Poster
presented at the conference Psychologie und Gehirn (Psychology and Brain), Germany.
Curriculum Vitae: Olga Klimecki-Lenz 25
October 2017
COLLABORATIONS
In my research I currently collaborate, for example, with
In Switzerland:
• Prof. Dr. Nicolas Favez, Psychology, University of Geneva, Switzerland,
• Prof. Dr. Simon Hug, Political Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland,
• Prof. Dr. Christine Mohr, Psychology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland,
• Prof. Dr. Thierry Pun, Computer Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland,
• Dr. Ulrike Rimmele, Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Switzerland,
• Prof. Dr. David Sander, Psychology, University of Geneva, Switzerland,
• Dr. Virginie Sterpenich, Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Switzerland,
• Prof. Dr. Patrik Vuilleumier, Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Internationally:
• Prof. Dr. Thorsten Barnhofer, Psychology, University of Exeter, United Kingdom,
• Dr. Gael Chételat, Neuroscience, Director of Research at Inserm, Caen, France,
• Dr. Fabienne Collette, Psychology, University of Liège, Belgium,
• Prof. Dr. Beate Ditzen, Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Germany,
• Prof. Dr. Eran Halperin, Psychology, University of Herzliya, Israel,
• Prof. Dr. Philipp Kanske, Psychology, Universität Dresden, Germany,
• Dr. Antoine Lutz, Neuroscience, Inserm, Lyon, Frankreich,
• Dr. Natalie Marchant, Psychology, University College London, United Kingdom,
• Dr. Dana Schneider, Psychology, University Jena, Germany,
• Dr. Michael Schönenberg, Psychology, University Tübingen, Germany,
• Prof. Dr. Stefan Schweinberger, University Jena, Germany.
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October 2017
OTHER FUNCTIONS
Academic in Residence at the Global Centre for Security Policy (October 2017-December 2017)
Associate at the Center for Empathy in International Affairs (since 2016)
Member of the Steering Group of Rewiring the Brain for Peace in the Alliance for Peacebuilding (in
2016)
EDITORIAL SERVICES
Ad hoc reviewer for journals such as:
• Acta Psychologica,
• British Journal of Psychology,
• Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience,
• Emotion,
• NeuroImage,
• Neuron,
• Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews,
• Scientific Reports,
• Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (SCAN),
• Social Neuroscience,
• PLoS One.
for funding agencies:
• United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation
• Varela Grant (Mind and Life Institute)
• Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
MEDIA COVERAGE
In national and international media (e.g., DIE ZEIT, Spiegel, Stern, SWR2, The Independent, Le
Temps, Gehirn und Geist, New Scientist)