Guest speakers
Prof. David W. Miller (University of Warwick, UK)
Together with Karl R. Popper David Miller has been working on the philosophy of science and the development of the idea of critical rationalism that states that empirical scientific theories have to be falsifiable. In contrast to positivism that favors the most probable theories, critical rationalism promotes the least probable theories that are more prone to falsification. For his opening lecture "Putting Science to Work" David Miller will analyze the application of scientific laws in technology and engineering. Does improvement in scientific education automatically lead to accelerated technological innovation and economic growth?
Dr. Marcus C. Stensmyr (MPI for Chemical Ecology, Jena)
Situated in the group of Bill Hansson at the MPI in Jena Marcus Stensmyr is working on the adaptation and specialization of the insect olfactory system. The lab uses different animal model systems like the fruit flies Drosophila sechellia and D. erecta, the giant robber crab Birgus latro and more to study how extreme specializations affects the sense of smell. Different levels of the olfactory systems are analyzed from the molecular mechanism to the animals behavior.
Prof. Dr. Michael Hausser (University College London)
A central question of Michael Hausser's research addresses the functioning of neural circuits to generate animal behavior. The group is focused on dendritic function and processing of synaptic input. Electrophysiological, imaging, in-vitro and in-vivo preparations are employed to investigate the details of cellular mechanisms. Complemented by state-of-the-art computer modeling the dynamics of synaptic integration are analyzed.