Team

Simon Wiegert       CV

Prof. Dr. rer. nat.
Chair holder and head of the department
Phone +49 621 383-71405
simon.wiegert@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

Wolfgang Greffrath

Dr. med.
Deputy of the department chair, senior physician, Head of physiology internship
Phone +49 621 383-71412
wolfgang.greffrath@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I am specialized physician in physiology and certified physiologist of the German Physiological Society (DPG). After receiving full medical licensure and completing a neurophysiological experimental doctoral thesis on the electrophysiological regulation of neurohormonal secretion in the hypothalamus (summa cum laude), he has worked since 1988 as a researcher and laboratory director in the field of molecular and human experimental basic research on nociception and pain in vitro and in vivo. Extensive teaching experience across the entire field of human physiology; Medical Didactics Qualifications I and II from the Competence Center for Medical Education, Baden-Württemberg; ongoing continuing medical education through the State Medical Association. Associate Chair of Neurophysiology at Heidelberg University, Mannheim campus. AWARDS(?) 
Current primary research interest: Heat pain in the zebrafish and its pathophysiological influence in the context of diabetic polyneuropathy and other diseases.   

Alexander Dieter

Dr. rer. nat.
Deputy head of Research and Administration
Phone +49 621 383-71413
alexander.dieter@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I studied in biology and neuroscience before I obtained my PhD in Neuroscience. 
When I am not teaching physiology, I investigate catecholaminergic modulations of neuronal circuits and animal behavior.

Arda Yilmaz Ates

Phone +49 621 383-71421
arda.ates@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2021, and my Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Goethe University Frankfurt in 2023. 
I am currently working on my PhD project at the Institute of Neurophysiology, focusing on optogenetic tool development, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal information coding in the hippocampus. 
In my research, I use hippocampal organotypic tissue cultures as a model system and employ techniques such as patch-clamp electrophysiology, single-cell electroporation, viral transduction, two-photon microscopy, and two-photon holographic optogenetic stimulation. 

Cristina Baio

Dr. rer. nat. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71421
cristina.baio@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I am a PhD candidate holding a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology in University of Trento and a Master’s degree in Neuroscience in University of Trieste. During my Master traineeship I worked with holographic optogenetic stimulation and electrophysiology in slice culture to manipulate neural activity. Now, as a PhD student, I use in-vivo fiber photometry combined with fear conditioning and extinction paradigms to investigate how catecholamine-dependent cAMP dynamics in postsynaptic neurons shape memory formation. 

Vivian Blechschmidt

Dr. med. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71421
vivian.blechschmidt@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

Lena Eschholz

Dr. rer. nat. candidate
Phone +49 621 3838-71421
lena.eschholz@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg

I obtained my Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biology from the University of Hamburg.I then joined the Wiegert group in Mannheim for my PhD project, where I investigate the interaction between catecholaminergic neuromodulatory systems as well as pupil-linked arousal using in vivo fiber photometry recordings. 

Andrey Formozov

Dr.
Postdoc
Scientific Staff
Phone +49 621 383-71408
andrey.formozov@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

My research focuses on understanding how computation occurs in biological neural networks, in particular, the hippocampus under different conditions. I am also interested in developing new methods, including software and hardware, for interrogation of the brain with a focus on genetically encoded fluorescent indicators and optogenetics, spanning from relatively simple photometry techniques up to the analysis of the activity of thousands of neurons.  

Qi Gao

Dr. rer. nat.
Scientific Staff/LIMA
Phone +49 621 383-71415
qi.gao@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

With a background in computer science and computational science, I develop new computational methodologies for quantitative analysis of complex biological and medical imaging data and collaborates with experimental research groups. 

Ulrike Hortscht

MTLA
Technical Assistant
Phone +49 621 383-71417 | -71400
ulrike.hortscht@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I have been part of the working group as a medical technician since 2008. Over the years, I have increasingly taken on administrative responsibilities and, among other things, handles organizational and coordination tasks within the group. 

Sigrid Hugues

Dipl. BW (FH)
Secretary: Finance/Teaching/LIMA
Phone +49 621 383-71406 | -71400
sigrid.hugues@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

An organized, effective communicator with an ability to remain calm even in stressful or unexpected circumstances. Confident team player, thriving on challenge and with a positive attitude. Adaptable, flexible and willing to learn as well as trustworthy, honest and reliable.  

Jonathan Husk

Dr. med. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71421
jonathan.husk@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I completed my training as a biological laboratory technician at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology in Heidelberg under Prof. Wink. Since 2001, I have more than twenty years of professional experience at the University Hospital Heidelberg in the role of a research- assistant as well as in industry. Since 2020, I have been guiding students through the practical lab experiments and supervising medical students. 

Fatma Coban Karaman

Technical leadership internship
Phone +49 621 383-71427
fatma.karaman@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I completed my training as a biological laboratory technician at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology in Heidelberg under Prof. Wink. Since 2001, I have more than twenty years of professional experience at the University Hospital Heidelberg in the role of a research- assistant as well as in industry. Since 2020, I have been guiding students through the practical lab experiments and supervising medical students. 

Carmel Kerem

Dr. med. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71421
carmel.kerem@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

Johannes Koegst

Technical Assistant
Phone +49 621 383-71403
johannes.koegst@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I acquired my bachelor’s degree in Biosciences at the University of Heidelberg followed by a master of science in Toxicology at the TU Kaiserslautern. 
Since 2024 I am part of our team and as lab technician responsible for plasmid modification and the production of AAV. 

Georg Köhr

PD Dr. rer. nat.
Postdoc
Phone +49 621 383-71408
georg.koehr@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

Building on my long-term interest and experience in neuromodulatory mechanisms affecting the hippocampal-prefrontal circuitry in behaving rodents and ex vivo brain slices, a new project in fear-conditioned mice will apply optogenetic interventions to subcortical neuromodulatory regions and/or the circuit itself to prevent relapse of contextual fear memory, even after extinction training conducted more than 14 days prior.  

Sarah Krüssel

PhD
Scientific Staff
Phone +49 621 383-71408
sarah.kruessel@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab and received my PhD from Johns Hopkins University (USA), where I trained with Hyungbae Kwon, studying synaptic plasticity and the neuromodulatory control of behavior. My current research examines how locus coeruleus–derived noradrenaline and dopamine regulate network dynamics and synaptic plasticity in the dorsal hippocampus, with a focus on linking neuronal firing patterns and synaptic changes to neuromodulator release dynamics. 

Jorin Kühn

Dr. med. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71421
jorin.kuehn@remove-this.stud.uni-heidelberg.de

I study medicine at the Mannheim medical Faculty and I am researching the dynamics and influences of endogenous catecholamine synthesis on emotional learning as part of his doctoral thesis. 

Maximilian Löffler

Dr. med. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71421
maximilian.loeffler@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I am a medical student at the Medical Faculty Mannheim. In 2025–2026, I took a dedicated research year supported by a faculty stipend to complete my MD thesis in the Wiegert (Dieter) group. My work focuses on the role of catecholamine-related modulation of cAMP dynamics in brain regions of emotional learning. 

Walter Magerl

PD Dr. rer. biol. hum.
Scientific Staff
Phone +49 621 383-71404
walter.magerl@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

Martina Maio

Dr. rer. nat. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71421
martina.maio@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

In my PhD project, I investigate fear memory extinction in mice, focusing on neuromodulatory mechanisms involving catecholamine release, particularly noradrenaline and dopamine. I study the dynamics of brain circuits active during contextual fear conditioning using fiber photometry, optogenetics, and electrophysiology. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Tuscia (Viterbo) and a Master’s degree in Neurobiology from Sapienza University of Rome, with training in behavioural neuroscience, particularly in memory acquisition and consolidation, and in dendritic spine plasticity. 

Marton Molnar

Dr. rer. nat. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71421
marton.molnar@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

As a PhD candidate in the lab, I aim to explore and characterize the neurons of the locus coeruleus noradrenergic system and neuromodulation in its projection areas with a broad range of techniques such as electrophysiology and 2-photon imaging in mouse ex vivo, or fiber photometry in vivo. I completed my BSc in Biology at the University of Szeged, Hungary, and graduated with an MSc in 2022 at the University of Bremen, Germany with particular curiosity in understanding the brain across all levels, from ion channels to circuits and systems.  

Handan Mörz

BTA
Technical Assistant/Lab Manager
Phone +49 621 383-71410
handan.moerz@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I have been working as a biological-technical assistant (BTA) in research for over 28 years, including 18 years in neurophysiology, a field I am highly passionate about. In addition, I take on responsibilities as a laser safety officer, safety officer, first aider, and fire safety assistant. As a lab manager, I also coordinate the organizational processes within the department. 

Diego Pastene

Dr. sc. hum.
Research Staff/Head of LIMA
Phone +49 621 383-71419
diego.pastene@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I am a Biologist who specializes in field of microscopy, and currently lead the Core Facility for Light Microscopy Imaging (CF-LIMa) at the Mannheim Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University. 
I have a degree in Biology (BSc) and Analytical Chemistry (MSc) by the University of Oviedo in Spain, and completed my doctoral studies at the Mannheim Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University (Dr. Sc. hum.). 
During my academic formation at the University of Heidelberg, I gained expertise in applied microscopy, which shaped most of my research activities as a postdoc and subsequent collaborations. Since 2024, I support microscope users at the Medical Faculty as a CF-LIMa employee, and work in close collaboration with Prof. Wiegert’s department. 

Ina Schäfer

Dipl.-Ing.
Scientific Staff/LIMA
Phone +49 621 383-71414
ina.schaefer@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de

I am the technical head of the Live Cell Imaging facility at the CF LIMa in Mannheim. In this role, I am responsible for management, provides users with support and advice on sample preparation, image acquisition, and assists with experimental planning. 
As a member of the LIMa team, I assist with experimental planning and scheduling introduction and user meetings to discuss LIMa user agreements and project requirements. 
In addition, I serve as the laser safety officer for the departments of Neurophysiology, Neuroanatomy and the CF LIMa. 

Patricia Scharf

master's student
Phone +49 621 383-71421

I am currently pursuing my Master’s thesis in the Neuroscience program at Heidelberg University. I am particularly interested in uncovering neuromodulatory mechanisms linked to disease and in understanding key neural circuits in the brain. 

Stefan Vintila

Dr. rer. nat. candidate
Phone +49 621 383-71408

I am a PhD student investigating how the brain encodes memories of locations and rewards. How stable are these representations over time? How much information do individual neurons contribute? Which theoretical models best describe the dynamics of memory encoding in the hippocampus? I am developing data analysis methods and software solutions to provide insight into these open questions.  

Thomas Zahn

Photographer/Technical leadership internship
Phone +49 621 383-71428
thomas.zahn@remove-this.medma.uni-heidelberg.de