Frank Sengpiel

Professor of Neuroscience at Cardiff University

Frank Sengpiel is a prominent neuroscientist currently serving as a Professor of Neuroscience and the Head of the Neuroscience Division at Cardiff University's School of Biosciences. His research primarily focuses on developmental plasticity in the visual cortex, disorders of vision, and visuo-spatial memory.1 2

Educational Background and Career

Sengpiel began his academic journey at Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany, where he studied biology with a focus on animal physiology. He completed his DPhil at the University of Oxford under the supervision of Colin Blakemore, concentrating on mechanisms of binocular integration and visual cortex plasticity. Following his time at Oxford, he worked as a research associate at the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology in Munich before joining Cardiff University in 2000 as a senior lecturer. He has since risen to the position of Professor and has been influential in advancing neuroscience research at the institution.2 3

Research Contributions

His research encompasses several key areas:

Synaptic Biology: Understanding neuronal plasticity and function.
Neurocellular and Neurodevelopmental Biology: Investigating cellular processes that underpin healthy brain function.
Systems Neuroscience: Exploring neural circuits and connectomics that drive brain function.1

Sengpiel has authored numerous publications and is recognized for his contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly in understanding how visual processing occurs in the brain and how it can be affected by developmental disorders.4 5

Professional Affiliations

In addition to his role at Cardiff University, Sengpiel is actively involved with The Physiological Society, having served as a trustee and treasurer. His engagement with various scientific communities highlights his commitment to advancing neuroscience both academically and practically.2 4