Alcami Lab

From Songs to Neural Computations

Studying the Neurobiological Computations underlying Natural Behaviour in Songbirds

Our Projects Meet Our Team

Our Projects

Explore our ongoing projects!

Songbirds Go Social

How social interactions modulate birdsong and song circuits

This project investigates how social context influences song production and neural activity in songbirds. We use a combination of behavioral quantifications, field recordings and data analysis.

Behavior Electrophysiology Social Context

Bridging Electrical Synapses and Birdsong

How do electrical synapses contribute to learning and production of birdsong?

We explore the role of electrical synapses in the songbird brain, particularly their contribution to song learning and production.

Electrophysiology Gap Junctions Neural Circuits

On Axons, Myelin and Songs

Analysis of axons and myelin in the song system

This project focuses on the structural properties of axons and myelin in the songbird brain. We investigate their contribution to birdsong.

Electron Microscopy Myelin Axonal Structure

Our Methods

We combine experimental and computational techniques to analyse the brain

Electrophysiology

Whole cell and extracellular electrophysiological recordings

Organotypic Cultures

A peek into neural migration with molecular techniques

Biophysical Modelling

Cm dV/dt = Iext − (gNa m3h(V − ENa) + gK n4(V − EK) + gL(V − EL))

Machine Learning

Computer Vision to decypher the brain

Brain Imaging

Light- and Electron Microscopy

Song and Behaviour

Vocalization Tracking and Spectral Song Analysis

Our Team

Principal Investigator

Dr. Pepe Alcami

Principal Investigator

I study how brain cells communicate to shape behavior, focusing on song circuits in songbirds.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Santhosh Totiger

PhD Student

Studying songbird behaviour and electrical synapses.

PhD Student

Pablo Izquierdo Ayala

PhD Student

Using computer vision and cable simulations to learn about the songbird brain.

Our Alumni

Former lab members and their current positions

Salem Ayasreh

MSc Intern

Current: Master Thesis @ Jakobs lab (Munich)

Alexandros Ilias Lambiris, MSc

MSc Intern and Msc Thesis

Adrian Zimmermann

BSc and MSc Intern

Current: Master Thesis @ LMU Klinikum (Munich)

Oleksandra (Sasha) Pavloska, MSc

MSc Intern

Current: Research @ Götz lab (Munich)

Aryna Kastsiusheuskaya

BSc Intern

Current: GSN MSc in Neuroscience

Anupama Nayak Manel, MSc

MSc Intern

Current: PhD @ Stöckl Lab (Konstanz)

Recent Publications

Our latest scientific contributions:

Canaries differentially modulate solo and overlapping singing during the transition to the breeding season

Totiger, S., & Alcami, P. (2025). bioRxiv

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Telemetry reveals rapid duel-driven canary song plasticity in a competitive social environment

Alcami, P., Ma, S., & Gahr, M. (2025). Frontiers in Psychology

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Functional interaction of electrical coupling and H-current and its putative impact on inhibitory transmission

Trigo, F. F., Alcamí, P., & Curti, S. (2025). Neuroscience

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Mitochondria induce anisotropy and delays in action potential conduction

Castelfranco, A., & Alcami, P. (2023). bioRxiv

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More on Google Scholar

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Lab News Timeline

Recent updates and milestones from our lab.

Munich Brain Day 2025

Don't miss Santhosh's poster!

Santhosh will present his latest findings on songbird behavior at the upcoming Munich Brain Day.

Winter 2024

Salem joins the lab for his internship!

Fall 2024

Adrian joins the lab for his internship!

October 2023

Pablo joins the lab for his PhD!

Pablo begins his PhD journey in the lab, focusing on computational approaches to songbird neuroscience.

June 2023

Alex defends his master thesis!

March 2022

Santhosh joins the lab for his PhD!

Santhosh starts his PhD project investigating songbird behavior and electrical synapses.

Contact Us

We value curiosity, patience, and meaningful collaboration over fast results. If this resonates, we'd love to hear from you!

Before Applying

  • We prioritize applicants who engage deeply with our work (mention a project or paper you've explored in your application!).
  • Ask yourself: Does our research philosophy align with your own and with your goals?
  • Our internships require time to focus—ideal for those who thrive in slow and thoughtful work.

Stand Out by Showing:

  • Why our lab specifically excites you (hint: generic applications rarely fit here).
  • How your past experiences reflect a love for deliberate, reflective science.

Ready to apply?

What scientific questions and project you would like to work on?

Share your story and curiosity with us below!

Contact Details

Email

alcami@bio.lmu.de

Location

You can find us in the Section of Neurobiology (Chair of Prof. Grothe), Department of Biology at the LMU-Munich. We are also associated to the department of Manfred Gahr at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence.

Address:
Alcami Lab
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Faculty of Biology, Division of Neurobiology
Großhaderner Straße 2
D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried

Find Pepe in X and Google Scholar