Find Academic Supervisors

Fabian Pfrengle is a full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Institute of Organic Chemistry , Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Resources , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). He previously led research groups at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (2013-2020) and worked at The Scripps Research Institute (2010-2013). Research Focus: His work bridges carbohydrate chemistry and plant biology , specializing in plant cell wall glycans and glycosyltransferases . He develops synthetic glycan arrays for enzyme characterization and investigates immune response triggering mechanisms in plants through oligosaccharide fragments . His projects include automated polysaccharide synthesis and liposome-based immune tolerance applications. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles emphasize chemical synthesis of sugar nucleotides , plant glycan arrays , and enzyme specificity analysis , reflecting his focus on carbohydrate engineering and plant immunity . Key subfields include UDP-sugar derivatization , Xylan structure-function relationships , and Glycosyltransferase profiling . Grants & Projects: Currently leads 5 major projects including Automated Algal Polysaccharide Synthesis (EU-funded, 2023-2028) and Synthetic Glycan Ligands for Plant Immune Receptors (FWF-funded, 2022-2026). His research also explores thrombocyte biology and Rhamnogalacturonan-II fragments with support from FWF and City of Vienna . Community Service: Serves on editorial boards ( Monatshefte für Chemie , 2021-present) and as reviewer for 12 journals including JACS Au , Nature Communications , and Angewandte Chemie . Member of professional societies: Gesellschaft Österreichischer Chemiker (2020), Deutscher Hochschulverband (2019), and Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (2008).

• Organic Chemistry
• Glycobiology
• Plant Biology
• +3 more

Sabine Glasl-Tazreiter is a Lecturer at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Life Sciences , specifically within the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and its Division of Pharmacognosy . Her office is located in room 2E 412 on the 4th floor at Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, Vienna, Austria (1090). Contact details include telephone number +43-1-4277-55207 and email sabine.glasl@univie.ac.at . Principal research focus: Phytochemistry & Biodiscovery Specialization: Secondary metabolites from ethnomedicinally used plants across Europe, Mongolia, and Latin America Key techniques: Isolation of bioactive compounds, structural elucidation, pharmacological evaluation Quality control expertise: Macroscopic/microscopic identification, chemical analytics Recent publications highlight her work in: 2024 - Development of the VOLKSMED Database for Austrian folk medicine wound healing plants 2025 - Advanced mucociliary clearance research in respiratory systems 2023 - Innovations in optoacoustic imaging technology 2019 - Structure-function analysis of phycobiliproteins for medical imaging 2017 - Phytochemical characterization of Latin American antidiabetic plants

• Phytochemistry
• Biodiscovery
• Ethnomedicinal Plants
• +4 more

Thomas Reinthaler is a researcher at the Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, specializing in microbial oceanography and biogeochemical processes. His work investigates the role of prokaryotic organisms in marine carbon cycling, the influence of environmental factors like temperature and UV irradiation on microbial activity, and metabolic adaptations in deep-sea environments under in situ pressure conditions. Research Interests Reinthaler's research spans microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and oceanography. Key areas include dark ocean carbon cycling, anaplerotic carbon fixation, hydrostatic pressure effects on microbial communities, and the interplay between prokaryotic gene expression and environmental stressors like UV radiation. His work also addresses microbial contributions to the biological pump and nutrient recycling in mesopelagic zones. Publication Trends Recent publications highlight metaproteomic analyses of dark ocean trophic interactions, sulfur cycling dynamics, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in coastal systems. He has advanced methodologies for in situ pressure experiments and contributed to resolving paradoxes in carbon budget calculations through studies on heterotrophic autotrophy and microbial substrate utilization patterns. Projects and Activities BASS Project : Biochemical processes and air-sea exchange in the sea surface microlayer (active 2022–2025). Prokaryoten Project : Funded research on prokaryotic activity in the North Atlantic (2011–2016). Organized the 2024 Symposium on Microbial Oceanography and presented at the ECOTIP Photoexhibit (2024).

• Microbial Ecology
• Prokaryotic Respiration
• Carbon Cycling
• +7 more

Roland Ludwig is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Food Technology, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He is also the current Senate Chairman at BOKU, demonstrating strong institutional leadership. His research is centered on enzyme technology, biocatalysis, biosensors, and electrochemistry, with a particular focus on oxidoreductases such as cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), which are crucial in biomass degradation and bioenergy applications. His research interests span food biotechnology, enzyme technology, biocatalysis, biosensors, process engineering, electrochemistry, and nanobiotechnology. He investigates the molecular mechanisms of electron transfer in redox enzymes, their application in biosensors and biofuel cells, and their role in the depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass. His work integrates biochemical, electrochemical, and structural approaches to understand and engineer enzyme function. The recent publication trends highlight a strong focus on LPMOs and CDHs, with studies on their kinetics, substrate specificity, domain dynamics, electron transfer mechanisms, and engineering for improved stability and activity. These works frequently appear in high-impact journals such as ACS Catalysis and Bioelectrochemistry, reflecting the significance and innovation of his research in biocatalysis and bioelectrochemistry. International DropSens Award for Applied Electroanalytical Chemistry Medal of Honour, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb RIZ Genius Award for Innovative Sensor Technology Austrian APART Fellowship INiTS Award 2007 (Life Science) Förderpreis der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie Roland Ludwig actively supervises students and leads multiple externally funded research projects from FWF and EU, including grants focused on electron transfer in oxidoreductases and the kinetic analysis of oxidative biomass-degrading enzymes. He collaborates with international research groups and is a frequent speaker at major scientific conferences. His research contributes to sustainable bioprocesses, green chemistry, and the development of novel bio-based technologies. He is involved in research teams and collaborative projects such as the FWF-funded Doktoratskolleg "Biomolecular Technology of Proteins" and participates in interdisciplinary initiatives bridging food technology, biotechnology, and materials science. His lab focuses on enzyme characterization, protein engineering, and the development of bioelectrochemical devices.

• Food biotechnology
• Enzyme technology
• Biocatalysis
• +13 more

Yuri Y. Gleba is a renowned academic scientist affiliated with the Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering at the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in Kiev, Ukraine. As Founder and Director (1989–2010) and current Honorary Director, he has shaped plant biotechnology research through pioneering work in transient expression systems and molecular farming. Key Roles: Founder and Director of Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering (1989–2010), Honorary Director (2010–present) Research Interests Plant genetics , plant physiology , and biotechnology underpin his work in genetic engineering , viral vector systems , and transgenic plant applications . His innovations include the Magnifection platform for rapid plant-based vaccine production and methods for RNA silencing enhancement in molecular farming. Scientific Recognition includes membership in six international academies (World Academy of Arts and Science, Academia Europaea, Leopoldina, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Lithuanian Academy of Science, Bavarian Academy of Sciences) and prestigious awards like the Koerber Prize , A. von Humboldt Prize , and state prizes from the USSR and Ukraine. His work has appeared in top journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA and FEBS Letters . Publications : Gleba's 15 most recent articles (2004–2010) focus on plant biotechnology applications, viral vector engineering, and molecular farming. Key trends include plant-based pharmaceutical production , transient expression systems , and transgene containment strategies . Laboratory and Collaborations : Founded and led the Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering, fostering international collaborations in plant biotechnology and genetic engineering research.

• Plant genetics
• Plant physiology
• Plant cell biology
• +3 more

Assoc. Prof. Dietmar Pum is a leading researcher at the Institute of Biophysics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). With a career spanning over three decades, he has pioneered work on S-layer proteins as nanobiotechnological tools and biomimetic surface functionalization. His research bridges microbiology, biophysics, and nanomaterials science. Education & Career Doctorate (1984) and Habilitation (1992) at Vienna University of Technology Awarded FEBS (1987) and EMBO (1982) fellowships Assoc. Univ. Prof. since 1997, Deputy Head of Biophysics Institute since 2014 Research Focus Dr. Pum's work centers on leveraging S-layer proteins for nanoscale fluid mechanics , molecular imprinting , and biohybrid materials . His projects explore: Self-assembly of 2D protein crystals Functionalization of carbon nanotubes Biomimetic sensor development Applications in diagnostics and environmental technology Publication Trends His recent publications (2025-2019) highlight interdisciplinary advancements in: Nanoscale biofluid dynamics Gold nanoparticle synthesis via microbial enzymes Archaeal S-layer characterization Protein-directed nanomaterials Biosensor platforms Lipid quantification via machine learning Scientific Recognition Philip Morris Research Prize (1998) Cardinal Innitzer Prize (1992) ÖAGM Prize (1986) Peer reviewer for Nature Materials , Advanced Materials , and Biophysical Journal Advising & Collaborations Dr. Pum has supervised over 15 theses, mentoring students in topics ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans imaging to nanomembrane fabrication. He leads international collaborations under EU Horizon and FWF grants, including the Stimuli Responsive Materials project (2020-2025). Labs & Networks As a core member of BOKU's Center for NanoBiotechnology and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Molecular Nanotechnology , he develops bioinspired nanomaterials and contributes to global programs in molecular self-assembly.

• Nanobiotechnology
• Biophysics
• Colloid and Interface Science
• +4 more

Lea Atanasova is a Senior Researcher and Principal Investigator at the Institute of Food Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). She holds a PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) and a Master’s degree (Mag. rer. nat.) and has extensive postdoctoral experience in fungal molecular biology and genomics. Her research is centered on mycoparasitic fungi such as Trichoderma and Clonostachys , with a focus on carbohydrate-active enzymes, signal transduction, gene expression, and ecological genomics. Her research interests span molecular biology, genetics, genomics, microbiology, mycology, and enzyme technology. She investigates the functional roles of genes and proteins in fungal biocontrol, nutrient acquisition, and host interactions. Her work integrates comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and functional proteomics to understand fungal evolution and ecological niches. The most recent publications highlight a strong trend in understanding fungal signaling pathways (e.g., TOR and MAPK), enzyme diversification (e.g., CDHs, pectate lyases), and the molecular mechanisms of mycoparasitism. Her work also extends to fungal secondary metabolites, host-microbe interactions, and advanced imaging techniques for protein localization. Scientific Awards: Carl Trygger scholarship for research at SLU (Uppsala, Sweden) GSA fungal meeting award, Genetics Society of America (Asilomar, CA, United States) FEMS Young Scientist Meeting Grant, Federation of European Microbiological Societies (Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Spain) Price Award for best Master-/Diploma research, Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (GFÖ) (Bayreuth, Germany) Austria National Park Research Award, Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (Vienna, Austria) Ad Futura Special Achievements Fellowship for studies abroad, Slovene human resources development and scholarship fund (Ljubljana, Slovenia) Lea Atanasova has supervised several Master’s and Diploma theses on topics related to fungal biotechnology and enzymology. She leads an Austrian Science Fund (FWF)-funded project on GMC oxidoreductases in Clonostachys rosea . She is actively engaged in the scientific community, serving on editorial boards and as a guest editor. She has organized and chaired sessions at major conferences, including ECFG, and frequently presents her research internationally. She is a key member of the research community at BOKU, contributing to knowledge transfer through student supervision, editorial roles, and conference participation. Her work bridges fundamental fungal biology with applications in agriculture and biotechnology.

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Genomics
• +21 more

Harald Pichler is an Associate Professor and Team Leader at the Institute of Biotechnology (IMBT) at Graz University of Technology. His research focuses on membrane biology, enzyme engineering, and industrial biotechnology using yeast systems like Pichia pastoris . Key projects include engineering microbial membranes for protein secretion, optimizing biocatalysts for terpenoid synthesis, and studying lipid interactions with membrane proteins. Collaborations with companies like DSM and LONZA highlight industrial applications of his work. Research interests span microbial membrane modifications, sterol biosynthesis, and metabolic engineering for producing valuable metabolites. Major contributions include developing yeast strains for high-throughput screening of terpenoids and engineering hydratases for biocatalytic applications. His team also explores protein secretion pathways and membrane protein expression in yeasts, with patent filings for key genetic targets. Current projects involve lipid raft dynamics, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interactions with membranes, and low-cost cell culture media alternatives. Collaborations with academic partners like the University of Geneva and Wageningen University emphasize interdisciplinary approaches. Publications frequently address membrane biophysics, enzyme mechanisms, and yeast strain engineering, reflecting a blend of fundamental and applied research.

• Membrane Biology
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Enzyme Engineering
• +4 more

Stefanie Wienkoop is a University Professor at the University of Vienna's Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology within the Life Sciences faculty. She serves as Vice-Director of Studies for Ecology and Evolution and is part of the Directorate of Doctoral Studies. Her research focuses on plant-microbe interactions using advanced proteomic and metabolomic approaches. Her primary research interests center on molecular plant-microsymbiont interactions, particularly examining how legumes interact with nitrogen-fixing bacteria under environmental stress conditions. She investigates drought stress responses, symbiotic nitrogen fixation mechanisms, and the molecular systems biology of plant-microbe relationships using mass spectrometry and other omics technologies. Her work bridges fundamental plant biology with practical applications for improving crop resilience in changing climate conditions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on plant stress responses, particularly drought tolerance mechanisms in various plant species including legumes, maize, and barley. Her research integrates proteomics, metabolomics, and systems biology approaches to understand how plants adapt to environmental challenges at the molecular level. A recurring theme is the investigation of symbiotic relationships between plants and microbes as a strategy for enhancing stress tolerance while maintaining growth performance. Professor Wienkoop leads the SYMPROFERR project (P 33930), funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), which investigates the role of ferritin in nodule formation, symbiosis functioning, and priming of drought tolerance. This project runs from March 2021 to February 2024 and represents a significant research investment in understanding plant-microbe interactions under climate stress. She actively supervises multiple PhD and Master's students, including Carlos Perez-Rizquez, Sebastian Schneider, and others who have made notable contributions to the field. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on molecular ecology of plants, proteomics in systems biology, and biodiversity research. She is also involved in organizing major international conferences in plant proteomics and nitrogen fixation research, demonstrating her leadership in the international scientific community.

• Plant-Microbe Symbiosis
• Molecular Plant-Microsymbiont Interaction
• Plant Proteomics
• +7 more

Henk-Jan Guchelaar is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), part of Leiden University's Faculty of Science. He holds dual appointments across the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Science, reflecting his interdisciplinary focus in clinical pharmacy and translational research. As Chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology at LUMC, he leads research in personalized therapeutics and pharmacogenomics. He directs Leiden University’s Translational Drug Discovery and Development research profile and coordinates the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project Ubiquitous Pharmacogenomics (UPGx), advancing pre-emptive pharmacogenomic testing. His education includes a Pharmacy degree from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, followed by specialization as a hospital pharmacist and clinical pharmacologist. He has authored over 540 peer-reviewed articles (H-index=51) and co-developed the Master of Pharmacy program at LUMC. His leadership roles include membership in the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences’ Council for Medical Sciences, and former vice-chairmanship of the Dutch Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmacy (NVKFB). Research interests focus on optimizing drug therapy through pharmacogenetic insights, particularly in oncology and personalized medicine. Notable projects include genotype-guided dosing of fluoropyrimidines and tamoxifen metabolism studies in breast cancer. Awards include the 2018 PGRN Featured Investigator and NVKFB Education Award. Professional activities include advisory roles for the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board and EU consortia. He has led national and international initiatives, such as the CYPTAM study on tamoxifen pharmacogenetics, and founded the Leiden Network for Personalised Therapeutics (LNPT). His work bridges clinical practice, academia, and policy to improve drug safety and efficacy through precision approaches.

• Clinical Pharmacy
• Pharmacogenetics
• Personalised Therapeutics
• +3 more

**Pernilla Wittung Stafshede** is a Full Professor with Tenure and Head of the Chemical Biology division at Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg, Sweden). She previously held professorships at Umeå University (Sweden) and Rice University (USA). Her research focuses on protein folding, metalloproteins, biophysical methods, and applications to diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. She leads the Wittung-Stafshede Lab , part of Chalmers’ Chemical Biology infrastructure. **Research Interests**: Protein folding mechanisms, metal transfer proteins, spectroscopic techniques, amyloid formation, and biophysical studies of macromolecules. Her work bridges fundamental biochemistry with disease mechanisms, leveraging advanced experimental and computational methods. **Awards**: Notable honors include the Arrhenius Medal (2016), membership in the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences (2016), and sustained Wallenberg Scholar funding (2010–2022). She is recognized for pioneering contributions to chemical biology. **Key Contributions**: Her lab’s work spans protein dynamics, metallomics, and disease-related protein misfolding. Recent publications highlight systems biology approaches to yeast metabolism and drought stress responses in plants.

• Protein Biology
• Biophysics
• Biochemical Engineering
• +7 more

Professor Youming Zhang is a leading academic at Shandong University , serving as Director of the Shandong University–Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology and the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology since 2013. He has pioneered advancements in biotechnology through cross-border collaborations between Germany and China. Ph.D. in Medicine (University of Heidelberg, 1995) Postgraduate studies (Chinese Academy of Medical Science, 1988-1990) Bachelor’s degree (Xiamen University, 1985) His research focuses on synthetic biotechnology , genome editing , and microbial natural product biosynthesis , with groundbreaking work in Red/ET DNA recombineering and heterologous gene expression. His publications span high-impact journals like Nature , Nature Biotechnology , and PNAS , emphasizing techniques for efficient DNA manipulation and natural product discovery. He has received major accolades including the Elsevier 'Chinese Most Cited Researchers' (2018) and the National 'Thousand People Plan' expert (2013) . His career includes founding Gene Bridges GmbH (2000) and holding EMBO Long-Term Fellowships at EMBL (1997-2000).

• Genome-mining
• Synthetic biotechnology
• Natural product biosynthesis
• +3 more

Markus Neureiter is a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology within the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His research focuses on environmental biotechnology applications, particularly in bioprocess engineering, fermentation technologies, and waste valorization for sustainable chemical and biopolymer production. Key Research Areas: Bioprocess engineering, PHA production from agricultural and industrial waste, volatile fatty acid platform development, biorefinery processes, and renewable energy systems. Recent Trends: Publications emphasize pilot-scale biopolymer production, carbon source optimization, and integration of enzymatic pretreatment with microbial fermentation. Academic Awards & Community Services: Markus serves as a reviewer for journals including PLoS One , Metabolic Engineering , and Renewable Energy . He has organized conferences like the European Biotechnology Congress and contributed to EU-funded projects such as CAFIPLA and VOLATILE. Supervised Students: Guided 16 university theses (PhD and Master's) on topics like biopolymer synthesis, yeast cultivation, and waste-to-chemicals strategies.

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Fermentation
• +5 more

Zhimin Lu is a Professor and Dean of the Institute of Translational Medicine at Zhejiang University, China, and holds the Kuancheng Wang Distinguished Chair. Previously, he served at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for 18 years as a Professor and Director of the Cancer Metabolism Program. Education : MD from Taishan Medical College, PhD from City University of New York, and postdoctoral training at The Salk Institute. His research focuses on cancer metabolism , signal transduction , and molecular mechanisms of tumor progression . He pioneered discoveries on the non-metabolic roles of metabolic enzymes in cancer, including the protein kinase activity of PKM2, Warburg effect mechanisms, and histone modifications driven by metabolic enzymes. His publications (over 120 peer-reviewed articles, including 40+ in Cell, Nature, and Science sister journals) reveal trends in oncogenic signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and epigenetic regulation. Key subfields include PKM2 dynamics, Warburg effect, tumor microenvironment, and metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk. Scientific Awards : Fellow of AAAS (2017), Dallas/Fort Worth Living Legend Award (2016), James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar (2012), American Cancer Society Research Scholar (2009), and multiple MD Anderson awards. He serves as Chief Editor for Metabolic Discovery and Visualized Cancer Medicine , Deputy Editor for the Journal of The National Cancer Center , and editorial board member for over 10 journals. His work has transformed understanding of cancer metabolism and its diagnostic/therapeutic applications.

• Cancer Metabolism
• Signal Transduction
• Cancer
• +3 more

Dominik Kopczynski is a researcher affiliated with the Department of Analytical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry. His work focuses on lipidomics, mass spectrometry, and the development of bioinformatics tools for lipid structure analysis and experimental standardization. He has contributed to initiatives like the lipidomics reporting checklist and Goslin nomenclature system. Active in organizing academic events such as the de.NBI Spring School for lipidomics bioinformatics and Keystone Symposia on lipid biology, he collaborates extensively with international researchers. Research Interests: Lipid metabolism, mass spectrometry-based analytical methods, lipid nomenclature standardization, proteomics, and computational tools for omics data analysis. His work bridges biochemical experimentation with bioinformatics to enhance reproducibility and interdisciplinary collaboration in lipidomics research. Activities: Organized 36 academic events including conferences, schools, and poster sessions. Notable contributions include co-organizing the 2025 de.NBI Spring School and contributing to the Keystone Symposia on lipid cellular function and disease. Engaged in both presenting research and fostering collaborative research networks. Labs/Teams: Collaborates within the Department of Analytical Chemistry and participates in international lipidomics consortia. His work often involves cross-disciplinary teams focused on integrating biochemical and computational approaches. Grants/Advising: While specific grants are not detailed, his extensive publication record and collaborative activities suggest involvement in funded projects related to lipidomics infrastructure development and analytical method standardization.

• Lipidomics
• Mass Spectrometry
• Metabolic Pathways
• +3 more