The Team
Lena van Giesen
Associate Professor
I am interested in how animals sense, integrate and encode external sensory stimuli to adapt to their specific niche in the environment. To answer these questions, I have worked with a number of different organisms and methods. During my PhD in Fribourg (Switzerland) I studied how the Drosophila larvae encodes a variety of chemical signals with a small number of neurons using calcium imaging in a custom designed microfluidic chip. After finishing my PhD, I moved to the US, first to Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) where I worked on the genetic basis of temperature sensation in flies and mosquitoes and later to Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) where I started working with marine invertebrates, using a combination of native cell electrophysiology, expression systems, transcriptomic and behavioral data analysis. In my free time I love to climb, ski, mountainbike or hike. I also draw as you can see in some illustrations on this page.
Marte Lønnum
PhD Candidate
I did my Bachelor's degree in animal physiology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and will continue at the same University for my Master's degree. For my master thesis I will dive into the intriguing field of sensory biology, and try to locate what sensory modalities the planula larvae of the cold water coral Lophelia pertusa use when choosing a suitable substrate for settling. In addition I will be making preparations and stainings of these planula larvae in order to locate the relevant sensory cells. I am a homebody who enjoys cooking very much, and I also like hiking. When the weekend arrives, I work as a bartender here in Trondheim.
Eline Rypdal
Staff engineer
I am head of the animal facilities at the Department of Biology at NTNU, making sure the animals here are thriving. I hold a Master's degree in ecology. I have experience working with fish and sea birds, both in the field and in the lab. In my free time I enjoy doing outdoors activities such as hiking, skiing, climbing and kitesurfing, often together with my two dogs.
Madeline Schuldt
PhD Candidate
I have always been interested in various aspects of marine organisms and I am excited to dive into sensory biology during my PhD. Before this, I completed my master’s degree in environmental toxicology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Trondheim, Norway) and received my bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College (Maine, USA) with a double major in biology and environmental studies. In my free time, I enjoy a host of outdoor activities as well as reading, cooking, and traveling.
Martinus Hals Skar
Master student
From the Bachelor’s level, I have a joint background in the fields of exercise physiology and biology, doing my Bachelor’s degree locally here at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. For my master’s project, I will explore aspects of sensory biology and information processing in the octopus Eledone cirrhosa. As a part of this endeavor, I will delve into the concept of valency and sensory specificity in relation to the conspecific detection of ink. In my spare time, I occupy myself with activities such as skiing, hiking, and climbing.
Johan Hovland
Bachelor student
From an early age I have always had an interest in the ocean, and I am excited to broaden my knowledge and experience working with different organisms in the lab. Today I study Biology at the bachelor’s level at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Trondheim, Norway) with a joint focus on cell biology and physiology. After my bachelor’s I look forward to taking a master’s degree in either one of the two directions. In my spare time I enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, but I also find joy in reading and cooking.
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Eirik Stamland Nilssen
Lab Manager
I am a neuroscientist and physiologist with a background in systems neuroscience research.
Before joining the lab, I completed my PhD and postdoctoral training at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience at NTNU. There I used multi-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, in combination with viral and anatomical tracing techniques, to study the organization of neural circuits in the rodent brain. I have a particular interest in electrophysiological methods and their application in examining the structure and function of the nervous system. In my free time I enjoy running, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
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Adrian Foroughi
PhD Candidate
I did my master's degree in neuroscience and bachelor's degree in psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. For my PhD in the van Giesen lab I will study chemosensory perception in the octopus Eledone Cirrhosa. I hold a longstanding interest in sensory biology and neuroscience as well as a deep care for environmental sustainability, particularly concerning human footprints on marine ecosystems. I look forward to contributing to our increasing knowledge on how sensation in marine animals is affected by the changing environment. I also enjoy drawing, music, chess, nature, and the company of others.
Malien Laurien
Postdoctoral fellow
I have always been interested in marine environments and their inhabitants. That’s why after finishing my Master’s in Marine Environmental Sciences, I decided to go for a PhD studying the “Sensory Basis of Orientation Behaviour in Fish” (Oldenburg, Germany). Combining Behaviour studies with molecular approaches, I shed light on how fish can use the Sun and Earth’s magnetic field for orientation and migration. Staying in Sensory Biology but switching the organism; I am now very excited to study the “taste-touch” sense of octopus, learning new techniques and methods. As well as getting to know a new country and culture now. When I get some free time, I like to be out in nature going on a hike or sailing; or get creative with drawing or photography.
You?
Master or PhD students/Postdocs
We are always interested in highly motivated individuals to join the team. Postdocs are encouraged to apply for external founding (EMBO, Marie Curie, HSFP or similar). If you are interested, please contact Lena directly.
Alumni
Óscar Menéndez García (Erasmus Student 2022/23)
The Team 2023 - serious
The Team 2023 - not so
serious
