Vanessa Gambus

I am a Master’s student in neuroscience, studying how sensory inputs are transformed into neural activity and ultimately behavior in larval zebrafish. I am particularly interested in how past sensory experiences shape ongoing processing and enable flexible, adaptive behavior.

My current work focuses on how stimulus history influences sensorimotor transformations under controlled conditions. Using head-fixed larval zebrafish, I combine quantitative behavioral tracking with precisely controlled visual stimulation to probe how prior inputs bias future responses. A central goal of my project is to link these behavioral effects to their underlying neural dynamics by integrating two-photon microscopy.

I previously worked in the same lab during my Bachelor’s thesis, where I focused on multicolor fluorescent labeling of the nervous system in larval zebrafish using electroporation. I continued this work during a six-month research assistant position, further deepening my interest in experimental neuroscience. Early observations from a recent Master-level course (VTK) suggest that larval zebrafish retain information about previous stimuli and adjust their responses accordingly, providing a strong motivation for my current research.

Outside the lab, I am involved in university and HTWG theater, mainly working in make-up but occasionally also performing on stage. In my free time, I enjoy trying out new sports, solving escape rooms, and I am currently working towards my scuba diving certification.

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