Interview with Keynote Speaker Onur Güntürkün

Onur Güntürkün is Professor of Biopsychology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. The question, “Can different types of brains produce identical cognitive performances?” constitutes a central focus of his research.

The cognitive and comparative neuroscientist works – in descending order – with pigeons, humans, dolphins, corvids, and crocodiles as test subjects. Research findings have shown that there is no cognitive ability of chimpanzees (brain weight 400 g) that has not also been demonstrated in corvids and parrots (brain weights 3–25 g). In his scientific work, Professor Güntürkün seeks to find an answer to the question: How can this be possible? In his lecture, he will provide insights into the scientific pursuit of an explanation.

Could you tell us the most important research findings and ideas you will be discussing in your presentation and explain why they are significant for neuroscience?

I’m interested in the neural fundaments of cognition and challenge the classic view that the existence of a cortex is the necessary condition for that. Working with birds, I outline a different view on brain and cognition, that could change our conception on the necessary neural factors that promote complex cognition.

In your opinion, what is the most exciting or pressing scientific question for computer-based/digital neuroscience in the future? And what role does EBRAINS play in this?

An organ that consists of 86 billion computational units of which each connects to about 10,000 other units cannot be understood without 2 preconditions: First, a detailed knowledge of its constituent properties that is accessible to all neuroscientists, and second, the computational means to analyse the dynamics within this system at the theoretical level. Both preconditions are provided by EBRAINS.

Professor Güntürkün's Keynote Presentation 'Converging Minds and the Evolution of Brains for Complex Cognition' will take place on Wednesday 10 December at 11:45. Register for the EBRAINS Summit here.

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