
Rafael Lazar (ESR06)
PhD student at University of Basel
- Country of residence
- Switzerland
- Country of origin
- Germany
- Supervisors
- Prof. Christian Cajochen
- Dr. Manuel Spitschan
- Starting date
- December 2, 2020
“How does light as the primary Zeitgeber influence human physiology, mental health, behaviour and performance?” – More specifically, my interest lies in the spectral composition of light, how it can be manipulated and used to enhance health, well-being, and performance. Furthermore, I am curious about interindividual differences in (non-visual) light sensitivity, as well as the development of homeostatic and circadian sleep-wake regulation during puberty.
I am motivated to build an expertise on light, the circadian timing system and homeostatic sleep-wake regulation while being in a stimulating work environment at the Centre for Chronobiology in Basel. I cherish the opportunity to network internationally in the science and light industry communities and learn more about ways of applying and communicating chronobiological findings beyond academia.
Background:
After a Semester abroad at James-Cook University in Townsville (AUS), I finalized my Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Psychology at Justus Liebig University Giessen, supervised by Dr. Manuel Spitschan (University of Oxford) and working at the intersection of vision and non-visual effects of light (“Regulation of pupil size in natural vision”). Previously, I completed my Bachelor of Psychology (B.Sc.) at the University of Giessen, working as a research assistant in Educational Psychology, mostly conducting research concerned with parents’ motivation strategies, test anxiety and self-esteem in teenagers.
Non-visual light sensitivity in teenagers: Inter-individual variability of light sensitivity
My LIGHTCAP project is concerned with non-image-forming responses to light in teenagers. We will investigate interindividual variability of light sensitivity and developmental changes during puberty in different circadian and homeostatic markers.
Meetings
- LIGHTCAP kick-off meeting, November 2020 (online)