Interview of two former instructors at the Workshop “Introduction to Experimental Neuroscience”

Ourania Semelidou, post-doctoral fellow at Neurocentre Magendie, and Simon Lecomte, PhD student at IINS, tell us about their experience as instructors in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the workshop.

The call for instructors is about to open

First, can you tell us about your background?

Ourania Semelidou: Originally from Greece, I moved to France four years ago as a postdoctoral fellow in the team of Andreas Frick. With an academic background in neuroscience, my research delves into the neurobiological mechanisms of sensory perception and how they change in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.

Simon Lecomte: I started my academic path with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Strasbourg, where I developed a strong interest in neuroscience. During my time there, I completed two internships that shaped my early scientific experience. The first focused on chronic pain and morphine withdrawal in mice, which introduced me to animal models and the physiological underpinnings of pain. The second internship was in chrono-neurobiology, where I explored how biological rhythms impact brain function. These experiences deepened my interest in neuroscience and led me to pursue further studies in the field. I then moved to Bordeaux to join the International Master of Neuroscience program. During this time, I completed two internships at the Neurocentre Magendie, both centered on astrocytes in the hippocampus, a brain area critical for learning and memory.

Currently, I am pursuing my PhD under the guidance of Christophe Mulle at IINS in Bordeaux. My project focuses on the impact of FMRP deletion on presynaptic mechanisms at DG-CA3 synapses. This work builds on my passion for synaptic biology and neural circuits, with an emphasis on understanding how Fragile X Syndrome influences synaptic transmission. 

How did you learn about the workshop?

SL: I heard about the workshop from my thesis supervisor, Christophe Mulle, who also directs the