My group aims to understand how neural networks perform critical computations. Many animals use visual information as a primary sensory source to make behavioral decisions, and guide behavior. We therefore use the visual system to study how neural circuits compute increasingly complex features from simple inputs. We mostly us the genetic model Drosophila as model that allows us to dissect visual circuitry at high resolution, both at the circuit level as well as molecularly. As one example, we have studied the circuits that compute direction-selective signals, a hallmark of motion detection.

More recently, we have become curious about the question how information processing is tuned the specific behavioral repertoire of an animal, and how visual processing strategies developed and evolved.

To answer these questions, we use a combination of experimental approaches, including molecular genetics, in vivo imaging of neural activity, and behavioral analysis, and combine these with theoretical modeling approaches. Studying vision in Drosophila as a model We are therefore excited about the environment provided by the IQCB, which fosters interactions between experimentalists and theorists / data scientists.

Positions held 

Since 2019   
Professor (W3) at Johannes-Gutenberg Universität Mainz

2014 - 2018   
Groupleader (Emmy Noether Group) at the European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen

2009 - 2014   
Postdoc, Dept. of Neurobiology, Stanford University, with Dr. Thomas Clandinin

2009   
Postdoc at the Institute for Neurobiology, University of Münster, with Dr. Christian Klämbt

Education

2005 - 2009   
PhD, Institute for Neurobiology, University of Münster, Lab of Prof. Dr. Christian Klämbt

2001 - 2005   
Studies of Biology (Dipl.), University of Münster

2001 - 2003   
Studies of Chemistry, Sek I/II, University of Münster parallel to Studies of Biology (Dipl.)

2001 - 2002   
Studies of Mathematics, Sek I/II University of Münster parallel to Studies of Biology (Dipl.)