The Erasmus Brain Imaging Center, established by Erasmus University Medical Center and Erasmus University Rotterdam, is a state-of-the-art hub for MRI research. Equipped with a brand-new, research-dedicated 3 Tesla MRI scanner installed in 2025, the Center provides an exceptional environment for scientific exploration.
As a home for collaborative, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, the Center brings together experts from psychology, sociology, marketing and management, economics, psychiatry, epidemiology, radiology and neuroscience. Here, we conduct pioneering work in the emerging fields of societal neuroscience, fostering a vibrant community where diverse perspectives converge to advance our understanding of the human brain and its role in society.
News
The Erasmus Brain Imaging Center was made possible by the unique Convergence collaboration. This collaboration between Erasmus Medical Center, Erasmus University Rotterdam and TU Delft aims to unravel societal questions through inter- and transdisciplinary initiatives.
Research at the Erasmus Brain Imaging Center aligns with Erasmus University’s strategy, Making Minds Matter. We believe that today’s complex societal challenges cannot be understood from a single perspective. That is why research at the Center goes beyond traditional academic boundaries, bringing together interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches to generate new insights and real-world impact.
The Erasmus Brain Imaging Center currently hosts and supports research from the following groups:
Generation-R
Generation R is a large, ongoing prospective, population-based birth cohort study in Rotterdam that follows children from before birth into adulthood. The project investigates maternal and child health, specifically how genetic, environmental, and social factors influence growth, brain development, and health, aiming to improve the well-being of children and families in society. As of now, the Generation R study is continuing follow‑up into young adulthood, with participants now being assessed as they reach their early twenties.
Society, Youth and Neuroscience Connected (SYNC) Lab
At the SYNC Lab, we explore what it takes for young people to thrive in today’s complex world. Our flagship project, Growing Up Together in Society (GUTS), is a 10-year journey in collaboration with seven universities, tracking how the human brain develops from childhood to adulthood. So far, 400 young participants have joined the first wave, and they will return every 2–3 years, helping us uncover how experiences shape their growth. Our ultimate goal is to understand what young people need to flourish, become contributing members of society, and support their mental health.
Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM) / Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)
Researchers from the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM) focus on addressing real-world and societally relevant challenges through innovative, rigorous research. Examples include studying economic decision-making, choice behaviour by people in organizations, and consumer behaviour. ERIM researchers at EBIC using neuroimaging to try to better understand why managers, employees and consumers behave the way that they do and use this improved understanding to make better predictions of their predictions, and increase stakeholder value.
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (ESSB)
The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (ESSB) leads a diverse range of innovative, cutting-edge research projects. Current studies explore topics such as parental mental health, the brain regions involved in anxiety, how older adults maintain cognitive flexibility in a challenging world, and how young people develop social connections and prosocial skills. Despite their variety, all ESSB projects share a common goal: to understand how individuals stay resilient in a complex society and how they can make a meaningful impact.
The Erasmus Brain Imaging Center offers PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to receive hands-on training in neuroimaging through on-site courses and practical sessions. In addition, the Center hosts a seminar series where researchers can learn from one another.
Lastly, we are developing the first of a kind Transdisciplinary MRI course to train the next generation of researchers with the help of our societal partners and stakeholders, ensuring strong foundation for the future of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research with MRI.
Our researchers actively collaborate with societal partners, participant groups, and organizations to learn together, ask new questions, and share knowledge. These collaborations take many forms. Our researchers are committed to bringing science to the public through books, lectures, workshops and multimedia.
Mbo-students as co-researchers in MRI research
Project ‘mbo-students as co-researchers in MRI research’, engages MBO students as co-researchers, valuing their perspectives and lived experiences. Despite being the largest educational group in the Netherlands, MBO students are often underrepresented in research and policy. This transdisciplinary project explores the neural mechanisms behind youth self-disclosure on societal topics, with MBO students actively involved throughout the research process. This project is a collaboration with Albeda.
Touching Minds
In Touching Minds, complex brain data is transformed into tangible 3D brain models, which can be 3D-printed within 30minutes, making neuroscience more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. Here standardized 3D brain models are made available to the public in order to facilitate more interaction with MRI research, and to give researchers new tools to communicate their work with broader audiences.
Consumer Neuroscience
In Consumer Neuroscience projects, our researchers collaborate with industry partners such as banks, telecom providers and even the movie industry to better understand the decision-making process of consumers and thereby make better predictions of how consumers will behave at the societal level. The goal of this project is not only to increase commercial stakeholder value, but mainly also to enhance consumer well-being.
Organisation
The Erasmus Imaging Center's coordinator is dr. Carolina Deurloo-Mendez Orellana, who oversees the daily operations of the Center and serves as the primary point of contact for researchers. In her role, the coordinator is responsible for:
- MRI training and researcher certification
- Safety training
- Monitoring MRI quality, performance, and system updates
Contact
Erasmus Brain Imaging Center
- Email address
- ebic@eur.nl
For general inquiries, you can reach out to email address.
Users Committee
Prof. Maarten BoksemChair
Prof. Eveline CroneSeminar series and outreach
Dr. Ryan MuetzelEducation
dr. Suzanne van de GroupResearch planning
dr. Monique de WaardMRI radiology
Steering committee
- Prof.dr. Radjesh Manna - Research & Education, Erasmus MC, chair
- Prof. Aad van der Lugt - Head of the department of Radiology, Erasmus MC
- Prof. Semiha Denktaş - Vice-dean research ESSB
- Prof. Inga Hoever - Vice-dean RSM