Curriculum Vitae

Academic Training

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

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

Executive and Administrative Functions

since 2005Member of the Executive Board of the Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2005 – 2012Member of the Executive Board of the Franz-Penzoldt-Center, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
since 2011Founding 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 – 2014Chairman of the Examination Board for the Bachelor and Master program, Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
since 2013Member of the Scientific Executive Board of the Biologisches-Technisches Entwicklungslabor (BTE), Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2015 – 2017Chair of the Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
 Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2016 – 2025Vice 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 – 2022Member of the Executive Board of the FAU Optical Imaging Competence Centre Erlangen (OICE), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
since 2016Member 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 – 2021Member of the Executive Board of the Graduate School Life@FAU, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
2021 – 2023Senator of the FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
since 2023Member of the Doctoral Examinations Board at the Faculty of Sciences, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
 Deputy Chair of the Department of Biology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

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