In her research, Oosterman focuses on understanding interindividual differences in cognitive functioning across the adult lifespan. What protects individuals against cognitive decline and which factors pose a risk for developing cognitive problems? To answer these questions, she works towards identifying behavourial and imaging correlates of cognitive performances across the adult lifespan.
‘This adult lifespan approach is crucial since mild cognitive changes can occur at a relatively young age, meaning that our activities at a young age can also influence our future cognitive aging trajectories,’ says Oosterman. ‘I furthermore explore how and when we can -or should- intervene to promote cognitive functioning, for example via cognitive training, and try to maximize these effects in daily life functioning.’
‘I want to identify the differences in and causes of cognitive decline between individuals to answer the question what works best for whom, and at which age. This will allow me to develop personalized interventions to delay or even mitigate cognitive decline.’
About Joukje Oosterman
Joukje Oosterman (Amsterdam, 1979) received her master's degrees in psychology from the University of Utrecht in 2002. In 2007, she obtained her PhD from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Her thesis was titled ‘Aging Matters. White matter and age-related conditions: a focus on cognition, pain, and the rest-activity rhythm’.
Following this, she worked as an assistant professor at Utrecht University from 2007 to 2008. She then continued her academic career at Radboud University, where she became an associate professor in 2020. Oosterman is also involved with the project ‘Maintaining Optimal Cognitive function in Ageing’ as a co-applicant, which received funding from NWO in 2020. Since 2021, she is also head of the department of Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology.