Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Lisa Genzel and I originally studied Medicine but now work in basic Neuroscience Research. I teach in the Biology Bachelor's and Master's (e.g. Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience Course) and supervise interns from a range of study backgrounds. I have been active for 20 years in my research field and 9 years here at Radboud University.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
I am trying to understand how we go from individual experiences to knowledge networks, especially the role sleep has to play in the process. Haven't you ever wondered why we spend 30% of our lives sleeping? Understanding the interaction of sleep and our memory systems is what I find so fascinating.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
We train rodents (and sometimes humans) to learn large environments and regularities therein. We combine this with molecular and electrophysiological methods (sometimes fMRI) to see how the brain learns and updates information.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice? And what is the best part of working with students?
Choose what makes you passionate and excited, then work and study can be a joy! To see students grow and gain resilience, confidence and skills is the best part of working with students for me.