LAB MEMBERS

Boris Chagnaud
Professor

I am a neuroethologist interested in understanding of how neuronal circuits (sensory and motor) are adapted to their respective tasks. I have pursued this question in a number of model systems, based on the Krogh principle (animals experts at respective tasks have characteristic and pronounced neural circuits especially amendable for investigations). Thus, my work is not centered on one animal model, but on the most suitable ones for my quite diverse research questions.

Maximilian Bothe

Postdoc

I am interested in the functionality and evolution of sensory-motor networks with a special interest in central pattern generators (CPGs) of the vertebrate spinal cord.

For current research see: https://homepage.uni-graz.at/en/maximilian.bothe/

Philipp Cargnel

IT-support

Daniel Carlos Corrales Parada

PhD candidate

I am a cognitive neuroscientist interested in the evolution of cognition and social behavior in different animal species. In all vertebrates the control of social related behaviors is mediated by the Social Behavior Network (SBN), a network of highly interconnected brain areas enriched in sex steroid receptors. The aim of my PhD studies is to investigate the neural substrates of the reception of social acoustic and electric signals in three different species of Synodontis, which differ in their communication channels. By using behavioral experiments and neurobiological methods, I aim to investigate how areas of the SBN are interacting with each other and with the electroreceptive and acoustic systems during social communication and which sensory modalities are fundamental for the recognition of conspecifics in these fish species.

Ismene Fertschai

Lecturer

Wolfgang Gessl

Animal caretaker

Ruth Gutjahr

PhD candidate

During my PhD, I am investigating sensory processing in the brain of goby fishes. For this, I will look at the neuroanatomical basis, the connectivity, as well as the function and the sensory input that can possibly be connected to the neuronal pathways.

I am also interested in the motoric dualism of the pectoral fin in hatchet fish and the underlying neuronal differences underlying this dualism.

Thorin Jonsson

Principle Invesitgator
Small Wings – Loud Songs

As a bioacoustician, I am interested in the morphology, mechanics and physics of sound production and hearing in animals, with a focus on insects. In the wide field of animal communication, I am especially fascinated by the ability of small insects to produce high-amplitude acoustic signals. For more information, visit my website.

Isabel Krobath

Lab Technician

Harald Pascher

workshop manager

It is my goal to support the research and development of the lab with my innovative technichal solutions.

Birgit Rönfeld

Lab Technician

Lea Thüminger

PhD candidate

I am interested in the functions of neural systems at network, cellular, and molecular levels, particularly during unusual firing behaviors. In pursuit of this, I work on the sonic motor network in Piranhas, where acoustic signals are produced through the rapid contractions of a specific muscle pair, resulting in a drumming effect on the swim bladder. My goal is to demonstrate how motoneurons can dynamically alter their properties to generate new behaviors, such as producing sounds underwater.

Iva Udovičić

Lab Technician

Jan Wille

PhD candidate

During my PhD, I am doing research on the wings of Orthopterans and their associated songs. I am interested in the characteristics of the wings, such as material, surface and vibration properties. I try to establish the connection between these properties and the differences in the songs of the insects. The aim is to implement methods that allow us to evaluate these properties in order to create a model of the insects wings.

Tuba Özcan

PhD candidate