She received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Trier in Germany. Her research focuses on clinical studies elucidating the psychobiology of early-life trauma and subsequent vulnerability to mood, anxiety and functional somatic disorders. Dr Heim has authored or co-authored more than 80 articles and chapters. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Chaim Danieli Young Professional Award of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies and the Curt P. Richter Award of the International Society for Psychoneuroendocrinology.