Neurobiology Research Unit

Christian Gaden Jensen

Psychologist, PhD Student

Scientific interests| Biography | Publications
Grants and Awards | Address

Scientific interests

Mindfulness can be described as an accepting, non-judgemental, and intentional presence – but also as a strategy for coping with disstress. I am interested in how genetic dispositions towards stress sensitivity, personality, and health are related to the individual capacity for – but also the appropriateness of – mindful coping with stress. Generally, I seek a more precise understanding of how meditation or meditation-based programs may facilitate positive change in distressed individuals, with a focus on basic attentional functions and emotional processing. I collaborate widely to establish meditation research on firm, scientific grounds in Denmark.

Biography

2011 -	PhD student at the Neurobiology Research Unit
2008 - 2011	Research assistant and MA-student, Neurobiology Research Unit
2006 - 2008	Research assistant, Center for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology (CERCAP), Lund University
2003 - 2010	BA and MA in psychology, University of Copenhagen.
2000 - 2002	BA-studies in philosophy and rhetorics, University of Copenhagen.

Publications

Haahr, M., Fisher, P., Holst, K., Madsen, K., Jensen, C. G., Marner, L., Szabols, L., Knudsen, G., & Hasselbalch, S. (in press). The 5-HT4 receptor levels in hippocampus correlates inversely with memory test performance in humans. Human Brain Mapping.
Jensen, C. G. & Parker, A. (in press). Entangled In The Womb? - A Pilot Study on the Possible Physiological Connectedness Between Identical Twins with Different Embryonic Backgrounds. Explore - The Journal of Science and Healing.
Parker, A., & Jensen, C. G. (in press). Further Possible Physiological Connectedness Between Identical Twins: The London Study. Explore - The Journal of Science and Healing.
Jensen, C. G., Vangkilde, S. A., Frokjaer, V. and Hasselbalch, S. G. (Accepted by Journal of Experimental Psychology - General, June 2011): MBSR Affects Attention – Or Is It Attentional Effort? Link to article, supplemenatary materials
Jensen, C. G., & Cardeña, E. (2009): A controlled, long-distance test of a professional medium. European Journal of Parapsychology 24(1), 53-67.
Jensen, C. G. (2007): The 2006 Annual Parapsychological Association Convention: A Review. The Paranormal Review, 41, 3-7.
Jensen, C. G. (2007): Parapsychology – For what it’s worth. R. R. Coly Prize-winning essay, published online at: http://www.parapsychology.org/dynamic/040604.html.
Callesen, K., Byrnitt, J., la Cour, E. & Jensen, C. G. (submitted to: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders): Does Cognitive Affective Training improve the Theory of Mind of adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders?
Jensen, C. G. (in press): Genet der påvirker dine stress-reaktioner. (Article on the SCL6A4-gene and stress-sensitivity). Accepted by Science Illustrated Jan., 2011 (Illustreret Videnskab).
Jensen, C. G. (2009) (book review): Neuroanatomi. Indput, 13, 14-15.
Jensen, C. G. (2008) (book review): Neurobiologi og den frie vilje – en kritisk læsning af John R. Searles bevidsthedsfilosofi. Psykolog Nyt (10), 20-21.
Jensen, C. G. (2008): ”Mindfulness på Hjernen”. On meditation and neuropsychology. In: Mandrup, C. (2008): Mindfulness i Hverdagen. København: Politikens Forlag.
Jensen, C. G. (2008): Sommer-effekten: Global opvarmning øger menneskets voldelige tendenser. Weekendavisen, (41), 51. (Article on global warming’s effects on human aggression).
Jensen, C. G. (2006): Pudsige postulater fra den aggressive ateist. Kristeligt Dagblad, 5. April. (Critical article on Richard Dawkin’s TV-programmes: Religion - The root of all evil?”).
Jensen, C. G. (2006) (book review): Subjektivitet og Videnskab: Bevidsthedsforskning i det 21. Århundrede. Zahavi, D. & Christensen, G. (eds.). Roskilde Universitetsforlag. Indput, Apr., 5-7.

Grants and Awards

2011 – Grant from the Nordea-foundation to support PhD-project on mindfulness, genetics, and health, 2.600.000 DKKR.
2010 – 4th place in poster competition. Copenhagen University Hospital.
2009 – Grant from Trygfonden to do research on mindfulness and attentional effects. 317.000 DKR.
2009 – Grant from Floraglades Foundation, FL, to examine mindfulness and self-concepts, $2000.
2009 – Scholarship from Brain, Mind, and Medicines; University of Copenhagen. DKR: 60.000.
2008 – Travel grant from Greenwood Publishing Group to go to APA-conference in Boston.
2007 – Grant from Helene Reeder Memorial Fund to do research on spirituality in DK. 2000 EUR.
2007 – R. R. Coly Prize from Parapsychological Foundation, NY, for the essay ‘Parapsychology: For what it’s worth’: $1000.
2006 – Travel grant from John Björkhem Memorial Foundation to participate in Parapsychological Association’s Convention, Stockholm.
2005 – Grant from Hjørring Gymnasium to support voluntary work in Angstforeningen (The Anxiety Union), København, 5000 DKR.

Address

Neurobiology Research Unit
Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Phone: +45 3545 6742
Fax: +45 3545 6713
E-mail: cgjensen#nru.dk