Dominik Heyers

I am a trained neuroanatomist who entered the field of navigation approx. 20 years ago. Since then, i was fascinated what happens inside the brains of birds during migration. Over the course of my research at university of Oldenburg my scientific contribution was instrumental in describing two brain pathways (one embedded in the visual and one embedded in the trigeminal system) likely to be involved in magnetoreception and navigation in night-migratory songbirds. To do so, a wide range of neuroanatomical techniques, such as classic histology, neuronal tract tracing, chemical/surgical inactivation of participating brain structures in combination with behavioural orientation experiments were used. More recently, we set out to use new imaging techniques, such as the generation of a 3D brain atlas and DTI imaging techniques. I highly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with internationally reknown experts in the field providing new analytic tools to finally unravel the mystery of magnetoreception in birds.