Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society, April 9-14, 2027, Montreal, Canada
PhD Defense Matej Djordjevic, Fall 2026
On May 20, 2026, Lan Zhou successfully defended her PhD thesis Unraveling Traumatic and Adverse Childhood Experiences (TRACEs). Her research focused on the long-term impact of traumatic and adverse childhood experiences.
On May 11, 2026, Franciska de Beer defended her PhD thesis To Continue or Not to Continue: How to Optimise Antipsychotic Treatment for First-Episode Psychosis and Personalise Psychiatric Care for Women. She obtained her PhD cum laude.
On behalf of the HAMLETT-OPHELIA consortium, researchers presented lessons learned from nine years of research into treatment strategies for first-episode psychosis. The presentation focused on personalized care and antipsychotic treatment outcomes.
The HAMLETT team attended the annual SIRS congress in Florence, where recent developments in schizophrenia research and treatment were discussed.
Shiral Gangadin gave a workshop for general practitioners on tapering antipsychotic medication. The session focused on practical challenges and recent insights into medication reduction.
The consortium published a manuscript containing results from the first four years of the HAMLETT-OPHELIA study. Early Dose Reduction or Discontinuation vs Maintenance Antipsychotics After First Psychotic Episode Remission: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Trials | JAMA Psychiatry | JAMA Network
Shiral Gangadin and Iris Sommer visited prof Chen-Chung Liu and Dr Liu to discuss how tapering of antipsychotic medication can be done as safely as possible.
Iris Sommer presented the first HAMLETT study results during the RANZCP congress. The presentation highlighted early findings on antipsychotic tapering and recovery.
HAMLETT researchers attended the Giessen International Schizophrenia Symposium, which focused on current developments in schizophrenia research and care.
The HAMLETT consortium participated in the SIRS congress in Chicago and presented ongoing work related to psychosis and recovery.
Marieke Begemann organized a symposium titled “The Changing World of Antipsychotic Medication Use: The Latest Evidence from the International Trials in the TAPER Consortium.” Researchers from England, Denmark, Taiwan, and Australia presented findings from their tapering studies.
Shiral Gangadin, Inge van der Heijden, and Marieke Begemann presented the HAMLETT study and discussed recent insights into medication tapering and personal recovery.
During the annual TAPER meeting, researchers from different tapering studies shared updates and discussed ongoing research projects related to antipsychotic reduction.
In January 2023, HAMLETT reached its target inclusion of 444 participants. On May 31, this milestone was celebrated together with everyone involved in the study.
The HAMLETT team attended the SIRS congress in Chicago, where current research in schizophrenia and psychosis was presented.
HAMLETT participated in the annual TAPER meeting, where participating studies shared progress updates and discussed common research themes.
Karin Groen, Shiral Gangadin, Franciska de Beer, and Marieke Begemann discussed the role of relatives in supporting antipsychotic tapering. The session also addressed advantages and disadvantages of long-term antipsychotic use.
The HAMLETT team delivered several presentations during the SIRS congress focused on schizophrenia research and treatment.
HAMLETT joined the annual TAPER meeting, where researchers exchanged updates on ongoing tapering studies.
The National Psychosis Congress brought together mental health professionals, researchers, patients, and relatives to discuss developments in psychosis care and recovery.
Marieke Begemann presented the HAMLETT study during the virtual SIRS congress. Wim Veling chaired the symposium “Discontinuation of Antipsychotic Medication – The Story Continues.”
This conference focused on medication-free treatment options for psychosis and different perspectives on antipsychotic use.
Researchers participated in the workshop (Dis)continuing Antipsychotic Medication, which explored challenges surrounding long-term antipsychotic treatment.
The first HAMLETT study results were presented by Nico van Beveren, Inge van der Heijden-Hobus, Evita Goossens, Martijn Kikkert, and Marieke Begemann.
Marieke Begemann gave a webinar lecture as part of the Scientific Afternoon Program for Adult Psychiatry.
HAMLETT shared experiences with participant recruitment and collaboration with mental healthcare centers during the OPERA symposium on tapering antidepressants.
An interview with Iris Sommer and Marieke Begemann highlighted the importance of personalized treatment approaches for people vulnerable to psychosis.
Marieke Begemann, Martijn Kikkert, Wim Veling, Chris Geraets, and Martijn van den Brink presented a symposium on psychological and social approaches to psychosis care.
Ilse Thompson presented the HAMLETT study during this educational course for mental healthcare professionals.
The documentary “The Voices of Vincent” by Maarten Kal was screened at the Groninger Forum cinema, followed by discussions about hearing voices and psychosis.
Several PsyCafé meetings were organized in collaboration with HAMLETT, Anoiksis, and Ypsilon. These meetings created space for discussion about psychosis, recovery, and medication tapering.
The HAMLETT study received national attention after UMCG was awarded €1.5 million in ZonMW funding for psychosis research.
Iris Sommer presented the HAMLETT study during the Phrenos Psychosis Congress.
Priscilla Oomen presented a HAMLETT poster, while Ilse Thompson presented findings from the PET substudy.
A PsyCafé meeting was organized together with Ypsilon and the HAMLETT study team to discuss psychosis, recovery, and experiences of relatives and loved ones.
The HAMLETT study officially launched with a kick-off symposium at UMC Utrecht, where the study objectives and design were introduced.
