Sascha Helduser successfully graduated on the 5th of December 2012 and was awarded with a PhD of Neuroscience. Sascha was able to achieve major insights into the neural basis of sequence learning and sequential behavior in pigeons. Given that many insights into the behavioral fundaments of sequencing were gained by studying pigeons, it was amazing that practically nothing was known about the brain systems that mediate this type of behavior. By training pigeons in various complex behavioral studies and subsequently blocking the activity of different brain areas, Sascha was able reveal that two brain structures were especially relevant. One was the NCL, the bird equivalent of the prefrontal cortex. The other was the pallial component of a "cortico"-basal ganglia-thalamus loop. The name of this structure in song birds is LMAN (please have a look at his t-shirt!). Both of these two structures contribute to sequential behavior, albeit slightly differently. In his final experiment Sascha was even able to increase the success of sequence execution by microstimulating the NCL shortly before sequence onset. The committee was truly impressed with Sascha's achievements and decided to award him the doctorate title with the grade magna cum laude.

CONGRATULATIONS SASCHA !!!