Since 2009: Lecturer (above the bar), National University of Ire shy;land, Galway2006-2008: Heisenberg-Fellow at Brain Research Institute, University of Bremen.1999-2005 Wissenschaftlicher Assistent at Brain Research Institute, University of Bremen: Habilitation in Zoology (2003).1998-1999 Fellow at Hanse Institute for Advanced Study, Delmenhorst.1996-1998 Postdoctoral fellow at University of Cali shy;fornia, San Diego.1995-1996 Postdoctoral fellow at University of Bremen1991-1995 PhD in Biology, University of Bremen1989-1991 Service as approved conscien shy;tious objector to German compul shy;sory military service1984-1990 PhD in Philosophy, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg1982-1989 Diploma in Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg1986-1987 MSc in Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

We are interested in the development and evolution of the vertebrate nervous system and sense organs. One major focus of our research are cranial placodes, the precursors of most ganglia and sense organs in the vertebrate head. We mainly use the clawed toad Xenopus laevis as a model organism to study their development. In addition, we try to elucidate evolutionary origins and modifications of cranial sense organs by comparative studies in other chordates.