Dr Ben Warren

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My fascination with sensory neuroscience was forged during my observations of swarming mosquitoes during my undergraduate degree. The female mosquito’s high-pitched whine (all too familiar to victims of their bites) turns out to be necessary for male mosquitoes to locate them. The remarkable auditory sensitivity of mosquitoes is underpinned by ~16,000 neurons, jam-packed into a tiny structure the size of a pin-head. My imagination was captured by these mechanosensory neurons and sparked a question which has guided my research journey ever since: How do insect auditory neurons convert sound-induced nanometre displacements into electrical signals that the insect can hear?

To pursue this question I migrated to the renowned Kloppenburg lab in Cologne to learn the art of patch-clamping: a powerful electrophysiological tool for understanding the inner electrical workings of neurons. I gained further experience in the world-famous Göpfert lab in Göttingen which utilised the fruit fly to understand the molecular basis of mechanotransduction.

Studies of auditory neurons in insects were hampered by a lack of electrical recordings of the fundamental mechanical-to-electrical step. To address this gap in knowledge I turned to the locust, which has large accessible auditory neurons, which I brought the powerful patch-clamp technique to bear. In the thriving neuroscience community at Leicester, and within the specialist Locust Labs (headed by Drs Tom Matheson and Swidbert Ott), I pioneered the first patch-clamp recordings from insect (locust) auditory neurons. I now use the locust ear as a model system to understand basic principles of auditory transduction that apply across animals.

Scientific Inspiration

Will Hunting (Fictional character from the film Good Will Hunting) – Because he was driven by his intellectual curiosity, was never intimidated by those above him and he liked apples.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Empathetic, Hands-on, Social.

Provision of Training

I will personally provide intensive hands-on training in the first weeks of your PhD and when you learn new techniques and protocols. As you gain in competency and knowledge of the field you will be able to adapt and mould the technical skills you have learnt in order to address novel challenges. The end-career of most PhD students is not in academia and I will make sure you are trained in all skills required to be competitive as a scientist no matter what you choose to do afterwards. This extra training will include: statistics, scientific and proposal writing, figure preparation, oral presentation skills. I have an excellent track record of helping my lab members secure positions in their chosen field.

Progression Monitoring and Management

In the first year of your PhD I will guide your progression with fortnightly meetings. As you gain independence, and especially if you know which direction you wish to take your career, you will take more of an active role in your progression. This might include selecting what type of international meetings you wish to attend and selecting training courses which best meet your requirements. I am in the lab every day and you can approach me almost anytime you wish. We will have bi-monthly lab meetings to discuss progress on papers and to agree everybody’s role on upcoming papers.

Communication

I am in the lab most days and I am very approachable. As such, I will expect to see you on most work days. The lab has a WhatsApp group that we communicate more informally or in case of emergencies. My lab and the Neurogenetics group is very social normally meeting once a week at the pub. We also organise away days in the winter and summer and for festive occasions.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per fortnight

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight

These meetings will be mainly face to face, and I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

In most cases I will provide feedback within one day but at latest I need 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Short and long-term genetic and behavioural consequences of traumatic brain injury in fruit flies

Co-supervisor on a project with Dr Roberto Feuda.

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

Mating in a disease-vector mosquito and global warming