Team Çalışkan
We are a young research group situated at the Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology at the Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg.
Gürsel Çalışkan, PhD
Principal Investigator
Gürsel is a trained neurophysiologist (MSc, PhD) with a molecular biology (BSc) background. During his doctoral training at the Charité Medical Faculty in Berlin, he had an extensive training on in vitro electrophysiology combined with training on in vivo tetrode recordings and prepared a thesis on the effects of different stress-related neuromodulators on the hippocampal network oscillations. After his postdoctoral stage in the lab of Prof. Oliver Stork, studying how different types of interneurons are involved in regulation of different aspects of fear memory and generalization, he remained as Group Leader at the Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology.
He is a dad, a beer enthusiast, loves travelling and uses every oppotunity to take a nap.
Sara Enrile Lacalle, MSc
PhD Student
Sara studied Biology in Madrid, Spain before starting her MSc in Integrative Neuroscience in Magdeburg. Her PhD project deals with amygdalar modulation of hippocampal engrams for which she uses engram labelling methods, chemogenetics, one-trial learning behavioural paradigms and in vitro electrophysiology.
She is a cooking enthusiast, enjoys being inside the kitchen and appreciates good restaurants. Loves fashion and is always looking forward to new trends. Will be the one organizing spontaneous plans and making sure everyone is enjoying themselves. A good glass of wine and a nice conversation is enough to make her happy.
Daniel Frias Donaire, BSc
MSc Student
Daniel studied Biology in Complutense University of Madrid in Spain. He is a MSc student in the Integrative Neuroscience program and currently working on his thesis project on the impact of early life stress on adult hippocampal engrams and plasticity.
He is a cinema geek, an amateur painter (trying his best), loves talking to new people and outside the lab he will probably have a beer on his hand.
Debora Manz, BSc
PhD Student
Debora received her BSc in Neuroscience with Psychology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, and her MSc in Integrative Neuroscience from the Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg. For her PhD project she investigates how early-life stress affects social fear transmission and engram formation in male and female mice. She uses RAM labelling, behavioral paradigms, immunohistochemistry and in vitro electrophysiology.
When she’s not in the lab, Debora is all about whipping up new cookie recipes and baking
fancy cakes, crafting jewelry, sewing her own clothes and staying active with exercise.
Associated Members
Mariana Nunes, MSc
PhD Student
(Associated Stork Lab)
Mariana completed her BSc in Biology and MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Lisbon. She is a member of Stork Lab and part of SynAGE graduate program. Her PhD project deals with cholinergic mechanisms that support novelty detection in the hippocampus during aging with a strong interest in synaptic plasticity and engram encoding, she aims to uncover new insights into memory dynamics. Gürsel is taking active role in her supervision as junior faculty in the department.
When she’s not investigating memory and synaptic magic, Mariana’s on a mission to pet every dog she meets. Her favourite genres are comedy and horror and she enjoys swimming, drawing and experimenting with new art mediums. Her ambitions are not merely scientific, as she dreams of owning the biggest vinyl collection in Europe (at least).
Elif Gizem Kain, MSc
PhD Student
(Associated Stork Lab)
Elif received her BA in Psychology at Bogazici University, Istanbul. Then, she completed her master's in Brain & Cognition at Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona. She is a member of Stork Lab and part of SynAGE graduate program. Her PhD project deals with investigating the DG circuits in pattern separation and the recruitment of hippocampal interneurons as cognitive resources to improve cognitive flexibility during healthy aging. For her research, she trains mice in high-throughput tasks and uses DREADDs, RAM labeling, and immunohistochemistry. Gürsel is taking active role in her supervision as junior faculty in the department.
She does pottery, listens to various podcasts on various topics, and likes reading about social history.