How does the scent get into the brain? And what happens when we can no longer smell?
Moritz Engelhardt | credit: Moritz Engelhardt
After completing his studies in molecular medicine at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Moritz Engelhardt began his doctorate at the Department of Psychiatry at the University Hospital Erlangen in early 2023. In the research group "Neuroscience of Sensory Perception" (NeuroSense Lab) headed by Prof. Jessica Freiherr, he works on various aspects of the perception and neuronal processing of odors. A current project addresses loss of smell after corona infection and in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's.
As part of the SILBERSALZ Institute's "Media Training for Scientists" program, Moritz is working with media professionals to design a film project that will also address the topic of odor loss. Using the example of an affected person, the aim is to create understanding for this life-changing disease, to bring closer the importance of our sense of smell, and to awaken fascination for our oldest and most emotional sense.
Besides olfaction, Moritz is particularly interested in the human brain, science communication and current and future developments in science.