Welcome to my personal website!

My name is Maya Deniz Yilmaz, and I'm thrilled to have you here. I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, a vibrant city where East meets West.

From a very early age, I knew I wanted to seek opportunities for higher education beyond my home country. Driven by this goal, I achieved a remarkable milestone at the age of 13 by ranking in the top 0.03% of over a million students in Turkey in the high school entrance exam. This achievement allowed me to attend Istanbul Erkek Lisesi, an elite German high school.

At Istanbul Erkek Lisesi, I received a rigorous scientific education in German, which instilled in me an empirical orientation and a passion for understanding humans, particularly their brains. Following my aspirations, I moved to Zürich at the age of 18 to pursue my studies in psychology at the University of Zürich.

Despite facing financial challenges, I advanced in my studies with the invaluable support of scholarships provided by the University of Zürich. Over time, I found myself increasingly captivated by the convergence of neuroscience and psychiatry, acknowledging the significant potential for groundbreaking research to revolutionize our comprehension and treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Currently, I am writing my master’s thesis in the Addictive Disorders research group under PD Dr. med. Marcus Herdener at the Psychiatric University Hospital Zürich. My research focuses on investigating real-time fMRI Neurofeedback for training and quantifying individuals’ ability to self-regulate reward activation to have greater control over substance use.

Through this website, I aim to provide you with a glimpse into my journey, experiences, and ambitions. Whether you're here to learn more about my academic pursuits or simply to connect, I hope you find something of interest.

Thank you for visiting, and please feel free to explore further!

Exploring Machine Learning Applications in Brain Imaging for Enhanced Psychological Understanding

As my research journey unfolds, my passion for advancing the intersection of psychology and neuroscience grows ever stronger. I am particularly captivated by the evolving landscape of machine learning applications in brain imaging, specifically in the realms of EEG and fMRI.

Having immersed myself in diverse clinical trials involving cutting-edge interventions like psilocybin, ketamine, and neurofeedback, I've witnessed firsthand the profound potential of these methodologies to transform our understanding of brain function and psychopathology. My current focus centers on leveraging advanced imaging techniques to unlock deeper insights into cognitive processes and mental health disorders.

The prospect of applying machine learning algorithms to analyze and interpret brain-imaging data excites me immensely. I envision a future where these technologies not only aid in diagnosing psychopathologies but also pave the way for personalized therapeutic interventions.

In my doctoral pursuits, I aspire to delve into the development and refinement of machine learning models tailored to analyze EEG and fMRI data. By harnessing these methodologies, I aim to contribute to a nuanced understanding of brain function and dysfunction, ultimately translating these discoveries into innovative therapeutic strategies.

The integration of machine learning into psychological research will catalyze a new era of discovery, propelling us toward more effective treatments and interventions in psychiatry and therapy. In pursuing machine learning applications in psychological research, my goal is to contribute meaningful insights that directly impact mental health outcomes.

During my studies, I had the privilege of engaging in various research experiences that broadened my horizons and enriched my understanding of psychology and neuroscience.

Internship at the Department of Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention: My first research internship provided me with valuable exposure to the research process. Under the guidance of Dr. Shauna Roehner, I assisted the team with literature search, data entry in SPSS, and participant recruitment for qualitative interviews. Additionally, I served as a member of the organization committee for the "Cultural Clinical Psychology - Young Researchers Network" conference, where I relished the opportunity to plan and execute an academic event.

Internship at the Psychiatric University Hospital: At the "Psilocybin & Depression" study, I embarked on a rewarding journey of research and patient interaction. Initially tasked with data entry in REDCap, I later transitioned to assisting with fMRI measurements and engaging directly with study participants. Witnessing the positive impact of interventions on participants solidified my passion for patient-oriented research. Subsequently, I contributed to data analysis using MATLAB and R, examining changes in empathy among depressed patients post-intervention.

Research Assistantship with Dr. Susanne Fischer: Since February 2022, I've had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Susanne Fischer, gaining insights into meta-analyses and scientific rigor. Our collaboration has thus far involved extracting data for meta-analyses and evaluating scientific practices. We are currently working on a publication on temperature changes and their effects on depression, anxiety, and mood. Additionally, I've managed social media accounts for multiple studies, participated in team meetings, and expanded my knowledge of ongoing projects.

Bachelor's Thesis: For my Bachelor's Thesis, I conducted a literature review on suicidal ideation detection from social media posts using machine learning algorithms. Despite the initial challenge of unfamiliarity with machine learning, I immersed myself in the literature and explored various feature extraction methods and classifiers. This experience deepened my appreciation for scientific writing and introduced me to novel research domains.

Master's Thesis: Currently, I am investigating real-time fMRI Neurofeedback for training individuals to self-regulate reward activation and its implications for substance use control. Utilizing data from the pilot study of the "Co-Boost" project at the Psychiatric University Hospital in Zurich, I have gained hands-on experience in rt-fMRI Neurofeedback training and expanded my understanding of addiction neuroscience.

Through these diverse experiences, I have honed my research skills, developed a passion for patient-oriented research, and cultivated a strong foundation for my future academic endeavors. I am excited to continue exploring the intersection of psychology and neuroscience in my doctoral studies and beyond.