Queen’s Trained Neuroscientist Awarded Best in Europe

Published on: 2011/07/13 - in Releases

Henrik Mouritsen has been recognized as the best young European neuroscientist under the age of forty at a recent awards ceremony in Germany.

Dr. Mouritsen spent three years, 1999 – 2002, as a postdoctoral fellow in Queen’s Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience Studies. His recognized research is a continuation of work he began at Queen’s.

“Dr. Mouritsen is a brilliant young scientist, and it was very gratifying for me to see him win the prestigious Eric Kandel Award and know that we at Queen’s played an important role in his professional training,” says Barrie Frost, a professor in the Department of Psychology who supervised Dr. Mouritsen’s postdoctoral work.

Dr. Mouritsen discovered that migratory birds may be able to see the Earth’s magnetic fields, which provide an accurate navigational system for the birds’ long winter journeys. His research focuses on the ability of migratory birds to travel thousands of kilometers to new wintering areas and return to their natural habitat for the breeding season.

“It was wonderful to be invited to Frankfurt to see Henrik receive this prize and join in the celebrations,” says Dr. Frost, “I am sure we are going to see many more of his accomplishments in the future.”

For more information about the Eric Kandel Young Neuroscientists Prize, please visit the Hertie Foundation website.

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Release source: Queen’s University | Photo:  Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg