Kerstin Preuschoff

Kerstin Preuschoff is Associate Professor in Neurofinance and Neuroeconomics at the University of Geneva. Prior to joining the University, Professor Preuschoff was a researcher and lecturer at the Institute for Empirical Research in Economics at the University of Zurich and at the Brain Mind Institute at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Expertise

Professor Preuschoff is focusing on how the human brain employs inferential neural processes to overcome the problem of uncertainty. Inference is considered a fundamental process that occurs in highly diverse situations including value-based decision-making or perception. On the one hand, value-based decision-making involves a time-consuming process that requires the conscious consideration of multiple decision variables. On the other, perception is automatic and effortless. Due to possible uncertainty, however, both processes may require input from the general neural system. Using experimental data, Professor Preuschoff shows that uncertainty, whether occurring within a value-based decision-making environment or a perception environment, employs a common brain region—the anterior insula. These results provide empirical evidence that the brain interacts with its environment through inferential processes.