Biography
Dr A.A.T. Simone Reinders joined KCL in February 2007 and developed herself to become a leading neuroscientist and international expert in the brain imaging correlates of dissociative identity disorder disorder (DID). Simone studied Applied Physics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands), where she also obtained her doctorate in Medical Sciences with the highest Dutch distinction Cum Laude. She received the most prestigious grant for young investigators, only awarded to the top 5% most promising researchers in the Netherlands, which allowed her to successfully lead a multi-center neuroimaging project.
Simone’s current work entitled “Neuroimaging the Aetiology of DID” aims to provide objective data to aid the debate on the aetiology of DID. In parallel Simone is developing her research line to disseminate neurobiomarkers of trauma-related dissociation. Simone’s pioneering research was the first to show identity-state-dependent blood-flow patters in the brain in individuals with DID. Follow-up research showed that these patterns cannot be simulated and that DID and PTSD share trauma-related neurobiomarkers. Her research has significantly advanced the understanding of brain function and structural brain abnormalities in DID. She has published 40 peer-reviewed publications and has an H-index of 22.
Simone is Chair of the ENIGMA-Dissociation Working Group and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Clinic for Dissociative studies (CDS-UK). Her work has been honoured with a David Caul Memorial Award (2005) from the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSTD), an Honorary ISSTD Fellowship in 2010, an ISSTD Pierre Janet writing award as well as an ISSTD Morton Prince Award for Scientific Achievement in 2017. Her work has also appeared in the media, including Nature News, New Scientist, Japanese television, and The Guardian in the UK and USA.
Research Interests
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Trauma-related Dissociation
- Neurobiomarkers of Trauma-related Dissociation
Research Groups
Currently aiming to set up my own research group.
Expertise and Public Engagement
- I am a member of the Board of Trustees for the Clinic for Dissociative studies (CDS-UK)
- I provide information and give interviews when requested, e.g. BBC or Guardian.