2004-2007: PhD in Biosciences, University of Birmingham, UK 1999-2001: MSc (Mag.rer.nat.) in Zoology, specialisation Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Austria 1994-1999: BSc in Biology and Zoology, University of Salzburg, Austria 2016-present: Lecturer in Biochemistry, University of Bradford, UK 2009-2016: Research Fellow, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, UK 2009: Teaching Fellow, School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, UK 2007-2008: Research Fellow, University of Birmingham, UK 2001-2003: Research Assistant, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany

Dr Helfer’s main interests and areas of expertise are in neuroendocrinology and chronobiology. Her research so far has centred on the control of circadian rhythms and seasonality in vertebrates and this has recently led to investigations in the central regulation of growth and energy balance

neuroendocrinology, biological clocks, photoperiod, obesity, energy balance, metabolism, neuroinflammation, hypothalamic plasticity

Helfer, G and Tups, A (2016) Hypothalamic Wnt signalling and its role in energy balance regulation. J Neuroendocrionol 2016 Jan 23. Doi: 10.1111/jne.12368. [Epub ahead of print} Bouscein, A, Benzler, J, Hempp, C, Stoehr, S, Helfer, G, Tups, A. (2016) Photoperiodic and diurnal regulation of WNT signalling in the arcuate nucleus of the femal Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. Endocrinology, 157 (2): 799-809 Stoney, PN, Helfer, G, Morgan, PJ and McCaffery, PJ (2016) Thyroid hormone activation of retinoic acid synthesis in hypothalamic tanycytes. Glia, 64(3): 425-439 Bolborea, M, Helfer, G, Ebling, FJP and Barrett, P (2015) Dual signal transduction pathways activated by TSH receptors in rat primary tanycyte cultures. J Mol Endocrinol, 54(3): 241-250 Ross, AW, Russell, L, Helfer, G, Thompson, L, Dalby, M and Morgan, PJ. (2015) Photoperiod regulates lean mass accretion, but not adiposity, in growing F344 rats fed a high fat diet. PLoS One, 10(3): e0119763 Tavolaro, FM, Thompson, L, Ross, AW, Morgan, PJ and Helfer, G (2015) Photoperiodic effects on seasonal physiology, reproductive status and hypothalamic gene expression in young male F344 rats. J Neuroendocrinol, 27(2): 79-87 Helfer, G, Ross, AW and Morgan, PJ (2013) Neuromedin U partly mimics thyroid stimulating hormone and triggers Wnt/β-Catenin signalling in the photoperiodic response of F344 rats. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 25(12): 1264-1272 Helfer, G, Ross, AW, Russell, L, Thomson, LM, Shearer, KD, Goodman, TH. McCaffery, PJ and Morgan, PJ (2012) Photoperiod suppresses vitamin A and Wnt/β-Catenin signalling in F344 rats. Endocrinology, 153(2): 815-824 Shearer, KD, Stoney, PN, Helfer, G, Ross, AW, Morgan, PJ and McCaffery, PJ (2012) Photoperiodic expression of two RALDH enzymes and the regulation of cell proliferation by retinoic acid in the rat hypothalamus. Journal of Neurochemistry 122(4): 789-799 Jones, C, Helfer, G and Brandstaetter, R (2012) Melatonin receptor expression in the zebra finch brain and peripheral tissues. Chronobiology International 29(2): 189-202 Ross, AW, Helfer, G, Russell, L, Darras, VM and Morgan, PJ (2011) Thyroid hormone signalling genes are regulated by photoperiod in the hypothalamus of F344 rats. PLoS One, 6 (6): e21351 Helfer, G, Fidler, AE, Vallone, D., Foulkes, NS and Brandstaetter, R. (2006) Molecular analysis of clock gene expression in the avian brain. Chronobiology International, 23 (1-2): 113-127