Ryuichi Shigemoto becomes member of Academia Europaea

Ryuichi Shigemoto has been named member of Academia Europaea (section: physiology and neuroscience). The neuroscientist, who has been Professor at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) since 2013, investigates the molecular basis of neuronal transmission mediated by neurotransmitter receptors or ion channels. More specifically, Shigemoto and his research group study the left-right asymmetry of the brain. This so-called laterality has been known for a long time, but the molecular determinants are not yet well understood.

IST Austria President Thomas Henzinger is delighted: “My congratulations go to Ryuichi Shigemoto on being elected to Academia Europaea. Such a membership is a great honor and a tribute to his excellent accomplishments in neuroscience.” In addition to Ryuichi Shigemoto, four IST Austria professors are members of the Academy of Europe: computer scientist Thomas Henzinger, neuroscientist Peter Jonas, and the mathematicians Herbert Edelsbrunner and László Erdős.

Academia Europaea is a European, non-governmental association acting as an academy. Its members are scientists and scholars who collectively aim to promote learning, education, and research. Founded in 1988, it has about 3800 members who are leading experts from the physical sciences and technology, biological sciences and medicine, mathematics, letters and humanities, social and cognitive sciences, economics and the law.