dr. B.C.M. (Benno) Haarman

Dr. Benno C.M. Haarman has built his career on a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of individuals affected by mood and anxiety disorders through rigorous research, clinical excellence, and innovative treatment approaches. His work is driven by the belief that understanding these disorders can transform care and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

Dr. Haarman currently serves as a Psychiatrist and Head of the Mood and Anxiety Disorder Program within the Department of Psychiatry at the University Medical Center Groningen. He is also a Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen.

His academic journey began with a focus on the immunopathology of bipolar disorder, culminating in a PhD (cum laude) from the University of Groningen in 2017. His research provided groundbreaking insights into neuroinflammation in bipolar disorder, including the first in vivo positron emission tomography study demonstrating activated microglia in patients. This work earned him the Samuel Gershon Award from the International Society for Bipolar Disorders.

Building on this foundation, Dr. Haarman expanded his research to include the gut-brain axis and neuromodulation, advancing precision psychiatry by integrating advanced imaging techniques and innovative therapies. As the principal applicant for the largest probiotics randomized controlled trial in severe mental illnesses, his research group significantly contributed to understanding the role of the intestinal barrier in mood and psychotic disorders. This work has resulted in highly cited publications and numerous invited lectures worldwide. His ongoing projects include investigating the interaction between vagus nerve stimulation and the gut-brain axis in treatment-resistant epilepsy, as well as using PET imaging to predict deep brain stimulation (DBS) outcomes in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

In his leadership role, Dr. Haarman has overseen the implementation of DBS for OCD at UMCG, a major advancement in treating refractory psychiatric conditions. He also led the initial draft of the national protocol on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for depression in the Netherlands. These efforts highlight his ability to translate research into impactful clinical innovations.

Committed to interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship, Dr. Haarman has guided numerous PhD students and residents, fostering the next generation of scientists and clinicians in psychiatry. He also engages actively in societal outreach, collaborating with patient organizations to ensure that research outcomes are aligned with patient needs.