The nervous system is composed of a complex network of neurons, which orchestrates the behaviors necessary for an organism’s survival. Animals are capable of exhibiting a broad range of behavioral responses, shaped by the stimuli they encounter and the context in which they find themselves. Choosing the most suitable one requires neuronal networks that can process and integrate different external stimuli and internal requirements. One layer of the nervous system performing these computations are descending neurons, which connect higher-level processing networks in the brain to lower-level executive motor networks in the ventral nerve cord (in flies and other insects) or the spinal cord (in vertebrates). Descending neurons integrate sensory stimuli and drive behavioral responses tailored to different contexts and sensory stimulus combinations. 

With in-vivo patch-clamp recordings, Sirin strives to pick up a method that enables her to stay as close to the neurological foundation as possible, by recording electrical currents and voltage changes in individual neurons. By combining patch-clamp recordings with precise sensory stimulation in behaving flies, Sirin aims to understand fundamental principles of descending motor control and adaptive behavior. 

Sirin’s academic journey began at the University of Münster, where she earned a B.Sc. in Biosciences. Her research during her Bachelor Thesis in Ralf Stanewsky’s lab focused on circadian rhythms in Drosophila. Subsequently, she moved to Leipzig for postgraduate studies, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Neurobiology and Behavior. For her Master’s Thesis, conducted in the lab of Andreas S. Thum, Sirin focused on anaesthesia-resistant memory in Drosophila larvae. Remaining captivated by the world of Drosophila, Sirin decided to continue her journey in science by joining the Ache lab for her PhD.