Judith M. Rollinger

Judith M. Rollinger is a Full Professor of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Biology at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Life Sciences, where she heads the 'Phytochemistry & Biodiscovery' division. She serves as a Member of the Senate of the University of Vienna and maintains an active research program focused on natural product drug discovery.

Education:

• Magister in Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck (1983-1990)
• PhD in Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck (1995-1999)
• Habilitation in Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck (2007)

Research Focus: Her work integrates ethnopharmacology with computational and experimental approaches to discover bioactive natural products against viral infections (especially influenza), inflammatory processes, and metabolic disorders. She pioneers in silico techniques like molecular modeling combined with phenotypic screening using Caenorhabditis elegans models. Her group also investigates cardiotoxic compounds in botanicals and quality control of natural medicines.

Publication Trends: Her 135+ publications demonstrate consistent focus on pharmacognosy innovations, with recent work emphasizing computational screening models, antiviral natural products, and mechanisms of healthy aging. Research frequently bridges traditional medicine knowledge with modern drug discovery paradigms.

Awards & Honors:

• Science Award 2020 (Vorarlberg)
• KIWIE Silver Medal (2010)
• PHOENIX Science Prize (2005)
• Multiple recognition awards from Innsbruck University

Leadership: Coordinates major projects including FWF doc.funds 'Anti-Infectives Drug Discovery' (2025-2029) and Schwabe Innovation Challenge (2022-2025). Currently Vice-President of the Society of Medicinal Plants and Natural Product Research and editorial board member of the Journal of Natural Products.