Sjoerd Murris is a neurobiologist, working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in the lab of Pieter Roelfsema. His research investigates higher cognitive functions such as perception and attention in primates, combining electrical microstimulation with neuroimaging.
Beyond the lab, Murris is an active voice in Dutch science communication and education. He lectures regularly and holds a university teaching qualification. He also answers brain-related questions from the public through the BrainHelpDesk and serves on the organizing board of the Dutch Brain Bee, a national neuroscience competition for high school students.
Murris earned his B.Sc. in biology at the University of Groningen and his M.Sc. in biology, majoring in neuroscience, at ETH Zürich. His master’s thesis research with Chris Petkov at Newcastle University ultimately set him on the neuroscience path. He went on to complete a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences (neurophysiology) with Wim Vanduffel at KU Leuven in 2020, while obtaining a B.A. in philosophy through evening study, with a thesis on bioethics.