Manchester Neuroscience Seminar Series - Altug Didikoglu, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey
| Dates: | 15 October 2025 |
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| Times: | 14:00 - 15:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health |
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| Who is it for: | University staff |
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| Speaker: | Altug Didikoglu |
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Please join the Division of Neuroscience, Wednesday 15 October 2025, for the Manchester Neuroscience Seminar Series, the speaker will be Altug Didikoglu, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey.
This seminar will be hosted by Professor Timothy Brown.
Title: Real-World Light Exposure and Its Impact on Sleep and Cognitive Function
Talk abstract: Light is a regulator of circadian rhythms and cognitive performance, as established by controlled laboratory studies. However, how everyday light exposure shapes individual differences in sleep and cognition remains less understood. To bridge this gap, we combined real-world behavioural monitoring with objective measures of light exposure. Our findings show that cumulative light exposure over several hours was linked to greater subjective alertness and faster reaction times, both during the day and at night. By contrast, higher pre-bedtime light exposure predicted longer sleep onset latency. More stable daily light exposure, characterised by earlier and stronger daytime light and reduced nighttime light, was associated with better cognitive performance, earlier sleep timing, and improved sleep quality. Importantly, we identified considerable inter-individual variation in photosensitivity under natural conditions - variation not captured by standard laboratory measures such as pupillometric or perceptual assays. Extending this approach across cultural contexts, we observed systematic differences in light exposure patterns and in the non-visual effects of light between countries. These findings point to both biological and sociocultural influences on light sensitivity. Together, our results highlight the central role of everyday light exposure in shaping sleep and cognitive health.
Bio: Altug Didikoglu is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey. He earned his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology from Istanbul Technical University before moving to the UK for a Master’s in Developmental Neurobiology at King’s College London and a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Manchester. Before returning to Turkey, he gained postdoctoral research experience at the University of Manchester with Prof. Robert Lucas. Throughout his career, he has studied various aspects of circadian rhythms, including their development, aging, and the influence of environmental and genetic factors in humans. His recent work focuses on the effects of light exposure on humans in real-world settings.
All are welcome
Speaker
Altug Didikoglu
Role: Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
Organisation: Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey
Travel and Contact Information
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Michael Smith Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester
