Brandstätter, Johann Helmut

Curriculum Vitae

Academic Training

1988	PhD in Zoology, Biochemistry and Philosophy, Karl Franzens University, Graz, Austria
1988 – 1991	Postdoc and Research Associate, Department of Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada (Laboratory of Prof. I. A. Meinertzhagen)
1992	Postdoc, Institute of Biology III, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany, (Laboratory of Prof. K.-F. Fischbach)
1992-1993	Max Planck Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Department of Neuroanatomy, Frankfurt/M., Germany (Laboratory of Prof. H. Wässle)
1993 – 1998	Research Group Leader, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Department of Neuroanatomy, Frankfurt/M., Germany (Laboratory of Prof. H. Wässle)
1997	Habilitation and degree Privatdozent with the venia legendi in Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
1998 – 2003	Heisenberg Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Department of Neuroanatomy, Frankfurt/M., Germany (Laboratory of Prof. H. Wässle)
2003 – 2004	Research Group Leader, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Department of Neuroanatomy, Frankfurt/M., Germany (Laboratory of Prof. H. Wässle)
2004 – 2006	Associate Professor of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
since 2006	Full Professor and Chair of Animal Physiology/Neurobiology, Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany

 

Main Research Interests

• Sensory systems with a focus on the mammalian retina
• Molecular composition and function (physiology/pathophysiology) of chemical synapses with a focus on sensory
  ribbon synapses
• Mechanisms of synapse formation, plasticity, adaptation, degeneration and regeneration

 

Fellowships and Honors

1988	PhD with highest honors by the President of Austria “sub auspiciis praesidentis”
1992	Max Planck Fellowship
1998	Heisenberg Fellowship
2012 – 2016	Member of the Review Board of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for Neuroscience
since 2024	Member of the Review Board of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for Neuroscience

 

Executive and Administrative Functions

since 2005	Member of the Executive Board of the Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2005 – 2012	Member of the Executive Board of the Franz-Penzoldt-Center, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
since 2011	Founding Member and Co-Speaker of the Interdisciplinary Center of Neuroscience (ICN), Faculty of Medicine and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
	Scientific Advisor in the Universitätsbund Erlangen-Nürnberg e.V.
	Member of the Examination Board for the Bachelor and Master program, Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2011 – 2014	Chairman of the Examination Board for the Bachelor and Master program, Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
since 2013	Member of the Scientific Executive Board of the Biologisches-Technisches Entwicklungslabor (BTE), Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2015 – 2017	Chair of the Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
	Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2016 – 2025	Vice Speaker and Member of the Steering Committee of the DFG Research Training Group 2162 “Neurodevelopment and Vulnerability of the Central Nervous System”, Faculty of Medicine and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2016 – 2022	Member of the Executive Board of the FAU Optical Imaging Competence Centre Erlangen (OICE), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
since 2016	Member of the FAU Competence Center for Applied Philosophy of Science and Key Qualifications (ZIWIS), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
	Member of the Executive Board of the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Faculty of Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2017 – 2021	Member of the Executive Board of the Graduate School Life@FAU, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2021 – 2023	Senator of the FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
since 2023	Member of the Doctoral Examinations Board at the Faculty of Sciences, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
	Deputy Chair of the Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg