Dr Gisela Helfer

Biography

Dr Helfer studied Biology and Zoology at the University of Salzburg, Austria. During her Master’s studies at the University of Salzburg, she investigated the neurobiology of learning and imprinting behaviour of Japanese quail chicks. She then moved to the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Andechs, Germany, where she initially worked on the hippocampal formation of migratory birds with Prof Ebo Gwinner. At the Max Planck Institute, Gisela developed a strong interest in chronobiology (circadian rhythms and seasonality research) which lead her to take a research assistant post at the same Institute to work on the circadian system of birds with Dr Roland Brandstaetter and Dr Andrew Fidler. In 2004, she commenced her PhD with Dr Brandstaetter at the University of Birmingham, where she graduated in 2007 for researching the molecular characterisation of the circadian system in passerine birds. After working as a teaching fellow at the University of Worcester, Gisela then took up a post as a research fellow at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen in 2009 working with Prof Peter Morgan. Her research at the Rowett focused on the seasonal neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating body weight and energy balance. In 2016, Gisela was appointed to her first academic position as lecturer at the University of Bradford and she is now a senior lecturer in Physiology and Metabolism. 

Professional activities