Source: Blog of Franziska Sattler-Morrison

Season 3 – Episode 2: Neural Networks & Breaking Barriers – A Journey Through Neuroscience and Disability

Join us in the latest episode of “Science with Milk, No Sugar” podcast, where we embark on an inspiring journey through the wonders of neuroscience and the resilience of academia.

Alexandra Tzilivaki is a neuroscientist specializing in the role of inhibitory interneurons in learning and memory. With a background in the field of Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, she is currently a PhD candidate at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Fellow at Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin. Her research, spanning over a decade, employs computational neuroscience techniques to unravel the complexities of neural circuitry. At the single-cell level, Alexandra investigates how inhibitory interneurons process information in the hippocampus and neocortex. She focuses on understanding the impact of electrical synapses on computational functions. Moving to the microcircuit level, Alexandra explores synaptic plasticity and dendritic processing during memory-related oscillations in the hippocampus. Her work sheds light on the dynamics of neural networks during cognitive tasks.

But Alexandra’s journey goes beyond the computer lab. As a disabled scientist, she embodies resilience and determination, breaking barriers and inspiring others along the way. Tune in to discover the power of perseverance, the beauty of neuroscience, and the remarkable contributions of disabled scientists in academia.

Don’t miss this enriching conversation filled with inspiration, empowerment, and the boundless possibilities of scientific discovery.