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Benedikt Warth is a Full Professor for Food Chemistry and Exposome Research at the Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna (since 2022). He coordinates the Austrian node of the ESFRI research infrastructure EIRENE and leads the 'Global Exposomics and Biomonitoring Laboratory' since 2017. His work bridges chemistry and toxicology, focusing on exposomics and metabolomics to assess chemical exposure and its health impacts. Education: PhD in Analytical Chemistry (2012), Master’s in Biotechnology (2009), Bachelor’s in Food Science and Biotechnology (2007) Research interests center on exposomics , metabolomics , and analytical chemistry , particularly for environmental and food-related toxicants. Recent articles highlight advancements in mass spectrometry for exposome-scale analysis, combining targeted and non-targeted approaches, and exploring chemical interactions (e.g., xenoestrogens, mycotoxins, flame retardants) in biological systems. Key trends in his publications include: Development of hybrid LC-MS methods (targeted/untargeted) for sensitive exposomics Integration of AI and cognitive computing for pathway analysis Global biomonitoring of mycotoxins and xenobiotics in vulnerable populations Standardization frameworks for non-targeted analysis (SRT) Notable awards include the 2025 Chemical Research in Toxicology Young Investigator Award , Brigitte Gedek-Science Award , and multiple grants (ERC Consolidator, Erwin-Schrödinger Fellowship). He has delivered over 20 invited talks on exposomics, including sessions at ACS Fall Meetings and international conferences. His laboratory's projects span: Breast cancer exposomics (linking environmental exposures to disease onset) High-throughput sample preparation for exposome-wide studies Systems toxicology of chemical mixtures (e.g., flame retardants, mycotoxins) Development of global metabolomic assays for toxicity prediction

• Exposomics
• Metabolomics
• Analytical Chemistry
• +4 more

Rainer Schuhmacher is a Full Professor for Plant and Microbe Metabolomics at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Sciences and the Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics in Tulln an der Donau. His research focuses on metabolomics, analytical chemistry, and plant-microbe interactions, with emphasis on fungal secondary metabolites, mycotoxin resistance, and environmental stress responses in crops. He leads projects funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), European Commission, and national agencies. Research interests span: Metabolomic profiling of plant-pathogen interactions (e.g., Fusarium -wheat systems) Stable isotope-assisted techniques for metabolic pathway analysis Cold stress mitigation in plants using Antarctic bacteria Development of computational tools for untargeted metabolomics data processing His work integrates analytical chemistry, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to study metabolic crosstalk in agricultural systems. Awards include the Fritz-Feigl-Preis (2012) and Dr.-Wolfgang-Houska-Preis (2005). He has supervised multiple PhD projects and leads the Plant-Microbe Metabolomics group, managing core metabolomics platforms and international collaborations. Key projects: Chemical crosstalk in mycoparasitic interactions (FWF) Metabolomics of cold stress tolerance mediated by psychrotolerant bacteria Extension of metabolomics platforms for plant-pathogen studies

• Metabolomics
• Analytical Chemistry
• Plant-Microbe Interaction
• +2 more

Martin Aigner is Associate Professor and Private Lecturer at the Karl Landsteiner Private University of Health Sciences, where he heads the Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine at Tulln University Hospital. He also teaches at the Medical University of Vienna and the University for Continuing Education Krems. A board member and president (2022–2025) of the Austrian Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics (ÖGPP), he is also involved in the Austrian Pain Society and Austrian Balint Society. His research interests center on the integration of biological, psychological, and social factors in psychiatry, with key areas including transitional psychiatry, obsessive-compulsive and mood disorders, the gut-brain axis, and the impact of environmental toxins like mycotoxins on mental health. He leads the PhD program in 'Mental Health and Neuroscience' and supervises doctoral research. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in interdisciplinary mental health research, combining clinical psychiatry with neuroscience, nutrition, and digital health. Themes include neurofeedback for addiction, microbiome influences on depression, and psychosomatic manifestations in chronic conditions. His work often involves neuroimaging and clinical trials. Three scientific prizes from the Austrian Pain Society Scientific prize from the Vienna Association for Neurology and Psychiatry Contributor to WFSBP guidelines on pharmacological treatment of eating disorders Co-author of guidelines for post-viral conditions He serves as principal investigator in multiple funded projects, including studies on depression and the microbiome, probiotics, and psychosis triggers. He is also co-investigator in follow-up care and community mental health initiatives. Aigner is editor-in-chief of psychopraxis. neuropraxis and advocates for digital health literacy and sustainable mental health structures, particularly in youth care. He leads the Research Center for Transitions Psychiatry, emphasizing early intervention, resilience, and patient empowerment through recovery companions. His team includes habilitated senior physicians, fostering innovation in clinical and research settings.

• Psychiatry
• Neurology
• Psychotherapeutic Medicine
• +12 more

Joseph Strauss is a Full Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), leading the Institute of Microbial Genetics. With a career spanning over three decades, he has focused on fungal genetics, epigenetics, and bioactive metabolite discovery, particularly in filamentous fungi and pathogens. His work bridges fundamental research with applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental biotechnology. Research Focus: Epigenetic regulation of fungal secondary metabolism, chromatin dynamics, bioactive compounds, nitrate signaling, and microbial interactions. Projects: Leads multiple grants from Austrian Science Fund (FWF), European Commission, and industry partners, including studies on chromatin engineering, fungal biotechnology, and toxin biosynthesis. His recent publications highlight advancements in chromatin proteomics, fungal pathogenicity, and novel bioactive molecules like luteapyrone and rasfonin. Articles emphasize broad disciplines such as Fungal Genetics, Epigenetics, and Natural Product Discovery, with subfields including secondary metabolite clusters, histone modifications, and stress response mechanisms. Scientific Awards: 2021 - Keratinophyton straussii fungal species named after him 1999 - START Preis 1995 - EMBO Stipendium 1994 - OTTO LOEWI Stipendium He has supervised over 69 theses and contributed to 186 publications, reflecting his leadership in fungal genomics and its applications. Projects like 'Bioaktive Mikrobielle Metaboliten' and 'TASSMATA' underscore his commitment to translating research into sustainable solutions.

• Mycology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• +6 more

Dr. Chibundu Ngozi Ezekiel is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics within the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Previously, he served as Professor and Associate Professor of Food Microbiology and Mycotoxicology at Babcock University, Nigeria (2018-2022) and held roles at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Education: Ph.D. in Mycology/Mycotoxicology (University of Ibadan, 2009-2013), M.Sc. in Microbiology (University of Ibadan, 2005-2007), B.Sc. in Microbiology with First Class Honours (Babcock University, 2000-2004) Research Interests: Focus on mycotoxin contamination in food systems, microbiome interactions in agricultural products, and food safety in sub-Saharan Africa. Key areas include dietary exposure assessment, probiotic applications for toxin reduction, and molecular characterization of fungal communities. Recent Research Trends: His 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) span mycotoxin biomonitoring in infants, probiotic strain genomics, cereal contamination analysis, and microbiome-exposome interactions. Studies emphasize analytical methodologies (LC-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF), global health implications, and risk assessment frameworks. Scientific Awards & Fellowships Brigitte Gedek Science Award for Mycotoxin Research (2023) Top 50 Food Safety Expert Globally (2023) No. 2 Food Safety Expert in Africa (2021-2023) EU MycoRed Fellowship (2010) Babcock University First Class Graduate Assistantship (2005) Academic Service: Editorial Board Member for Mycotoxin Research (2023), Associate Editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2019), and reviewer for 20+ journals including Food Control , Environment International , and World Mycotoxin Journal . Active in EU-China-Safe and FoodSafeR advisory boards.

• Mycotoxicology
• Food Safety
• Microbiome Research
• +3 more

Margit Cichna-Markl is a Professor at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Chemistry, specifically within the Institute of Analytical Chemistry. With over 122 publications and active research spanning from 2000 to the present, she maintains a significant academic presence with recent publications extending into 2025. Her research focuses on analytical chemistry applications in food science and molecular biology, specializing in DNA-based authentication methods for food products. Key areas include DNA barcoding, high-resolution melting analysis, and metabarcoding techniques for detecting food adulteration and verifying species authenticity in complex food matrices. Dr. Cichna-Markl's work demonstrates a strong trend toward developing molecular methods for food authentication, with recent publications focusing on EU-authorized edible insects, seafood identification, and plant species detection in processed foods. Her research bridges analytical chemistry with practical food safety applications, contributing significantly to food fraud prevention and regulatory compliance. She has been actively involved in research projects including mycotoxin analysis (2004-2007) and has presented numerous lectures and posters on food authentication techniques, with recent activities documented through November 2024.

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Science
• Molecular Biology
• +6 more

Kristina Djinovic Carugo is a Full Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Vienna , affiliated with the Department of Structural and Computational Biology at Max F. Perutz Laboratories. Her career spans leadership roles including Head of Department (since 2009), Director of the Laura Bassi Center for Optimized Structural Studies (2010-2016), and Head of Structural Biology and Crystallography Unit at Sincrotrone Trieste (1999-2004). Education : PhD in Chemistry (1992, University of Ljubljana); Master's (1989, University of Ljubljana); Diploma in Chemistry (1986, University of Ljubljana) Her research focuses on structure-function analysis of metallo-enzymes involved in cellular protection, structural biology of actin-based cytoskeleton with emphasis on muscle Z-disk assembly, and X-ray induced radiation damage in protein crystals. Key techniques include X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and integrative structural approaches. Recent work explores liquid-liquid phase separation in sarcomeric Z-disc formation, Filamin C regulation by HSPB7 , and automated structural analysis tools like chalcogen bond detection in AlphaFold models. She has contributed to understanding protein interactions in hemidesmosomes, sarcomere mechanics, and redox-sensitive structural dynamics. Scientific Recognition : EMBO long-term postdoctoral fellowship (1995) Laura Bassi Center of Expertise (2010) EMBO member (2016) Her institutional roles include appointment committee memberships for tenure-track and professorship positions at Austrian universities and leadership in the Protein Technology Facilities user committee. Publications span high-impact journals including Science Advances, Cell, and PNAS, with over 145 peer-reviewed papers and an H-index of 44.

• Structural Biology
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• +4 more

Michael Sulyok is a prominent researcher at the Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), specializing in advanced analytical methods for food and feed safety. His work focuses on developing quantitative LC-MS/MS techniques capable of detecting over 1000 fungal metabolites and plant toxins at sub-μg/kg levels, leveraging one of the world's largest collections of fungal metabolite standards. He actively collaborates with international partners including Wageningen University and Nigerian research institutions. His core research interests include: Overcoming matrix effects in multi-toxin analysis Validation of high-throughput LC-MS/MS methods Climate change impacts on mycotoxin occurrence Infrared spectroscopy (NIR/MIR) for rapid on-field screening Diffusion patterns of toxins in mold-affected foods Emerging contaminants beyond EU-regulated mycotoxins Analysis of his 2025 publications reveals strong emphasis on real-time monitoring solutions, particularly portable infrared spectroscopy integrated into agricultural machinery for wheat quality assessment. His team is pioneering the use of CO2 sensors and 3D-printed modules for early contamination detection, while expanding multi-analyte coverage to plant-based alternatives and animal feeds under diverse environmental conditions. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. Sulyok supervises graduate theses at BOKU as indicated by his participation in Doc Day events, though specific student names were not disclosed. His research is supported by EU-funded consortia including FFoQSI and MycoKey, with extensive field work in Africa examining mycotoxin exposure in dairy cattle, maize, and infant foods. He leads a specialized team within BOKU's Tulln campus facility, utilizing cutting-edge mass spectrometers and chemometric approaches. The group maintains critical reference standards for fungal metabolites and is currently developing combine harvester-integrated NIR systems for wheat breeding, alongside investigating fungal metabolite profiles in aquaponics and novel matrices like vegan cheeses and moldy bread.

• Mycotoxin Analysis
• Mass Spectrometry
• Food Safety
• +4 more

Stephan Freitag is a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics within the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) . He holds a PhD in Biotechnology from TU Wien (2017-2021) and has conducted research at institutions including Wageningen University and University of Ulm. Research Focus : Freitag specializes in infrared spectroscopy applications for mycotoxin screening in agricultural products. His work combines chemometrics , machine learning , and portable spectroscopic devices to develop rapid, green analytical methods for food contaminants. Recent projects include 3D-printed sample modules and quantum cascade laser spectrometers for farm-to-fork food safety monitoring. Publication Trends : His 24+ publications (2021-2025) focus on infrared spectroscopy for mycotoxin detection in wheat and maize, with applications in food safety , agricultural quality control , and environmental monitoring . Collaborative work spans multiple European institutions. Scientific Engagement : Freitag serves as reviewer for journals like Food Chemistry and Food Control , and is a member of the American Chemical Society and Society for Mycotoxin Research . He actively presents at international conferences including the World Mycotoxin Forum and RAFA symposiums.

• Infrared Spectroscopy
• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety
• +4 more

Gerhard Adam is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Microbial Genetics, Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His research focuses on mycotoxin metabolism, plant-fungal interactions, and microbial genetics, with a strong emphasis on Fusarium species and their impact on food safety. He leads and participates in numerous national and international research projects, including those funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), EU, and industry partners. His academic work centers on understanding the molecular mechanisms of mycotoxin production, detoxification, and resistance, particularly in cereals. Key areas include the role of UDP-glucosyltransferases in deoxynivalenol (DON) resistance, the formation of masked mycotoxins, and the metabolic fate of toxins in plants and animals. He has made significant contributions to the development of biological assays and genetic tools for studying Fusarium virulence and plant resistance. The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on metabolomics, enzyme characterization, and the biochemical transformation of mycotoxins. Trends show increasing use of stable isotope-assisted techniques, LC-HRMS, and functional genomics to dissect detoxification pathways. Research spans from fundamental fungal biochemistry to applied food safety solutions, including bioremediation strategies using bacterial lactonases and engineering plant resistance. Selected Scientific Contributions: Project leadership in FWF-funded SFB F37-Fusarium program (2009–2019) Development of yeast bioassays for Fusarium mycotoxins Characterization of UDP-glucosyltransferases involved in DON detoxification Discovery of novel Fusarium metabolites (e.g., gramiketides) Investigation of fumonisin self-resistance mechanisms in fungi Adam actively supervises research theses and collaborates widely within BOKU and international consortia such as FFoQSI and the World Mycotoxin Forum. He regularly presents at major scientific conferences and contributes to public science communication through media and outreach reports. Laboratories and Research Teams: Institute of Microbial Genetics, BOKU Tulln Collaborative work with Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics FFoQSI – Competence Centre for Food and Biotechnology International Fusarium research network

• Mycotoxin Research
• Fungal Secondary Metabolites
• Plant-Fungal Interactions
• +9 more

Dr. Beatrix Stessl is a researcher in the Department of Food Microbiology at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. Her work focuses on molecular epidemiology of foodborne pathogens, including phenotypical and genotypical subtyping methods, and the performance testing of rapid diagnostic techniques. Her research emphasizes understanding contamination pathways in food production environments, particularly Listeria monocytogenes and other zoonotic pathogens. She investigates microbial persistence in food processing facilities, environmental sampling strategies, and the molecular characterization of pathogens in diverse ecosystems such as dairy farms, poultry facilities, and retail food products. Her contributions bridge veterinary and human public health through studies on antimicrobial resistance, pathogen reservoirs, and One Health approaches. Research Themes: Molecular epidemiology, food safety, pathogen genomics, environmental contamination, rapid diagnostic methods Key Projects: Longitudinal studies on Listeria spp. in Kosovo's food chain, microbial diversity in ruminants, and biofilm dynamics in meat processing Dr. Stessl collaborates on international initiatives addressing foodborne disease risks in low-resource settings and has published extensively on contamination scenarios in food production environments. She actively contributes to improving pathogen detection protocols and food safety regulations.

• Molecular Epidemiology
• Food Safety
• Microbiology
• +3 more

Nicole Ollinger is a Researcher at the Research Center Wels Center of Excellence Food Technology and Nutrition, part of FH Wels – University of Applied Sciences in Austria. Her work focuses on food safety, mycotoxin research, and sustainable food alternatives. She leads studies on mold contamination prevention in dairy products like Camembert, palm oil substitution in food coatings, and mycotoxin distribution in bread. Collaborations include projects on wild boar carcass detection using digital sensors. Her research interests span food microbiology, sustainable food production, and nutritional science. Recent studies emphasize vegan cheese alternatives and anti-hyperglycemic effects of sea buckthorn. She actively participates in conferences, presenting on topics like fungal inhibition in cheese and bread contamination patterns. Notably, she co-leads a 2024-2025 project adapting electronic sensors for detecting wild boar carcasses. Her publications highlight innovative methods like multispectral imaging and electronic noses for food quality analysis.

• Food Safety
• Mycotoxin Research
• Food Technology
• +3 more

Dr. Elisabeth Varga is an Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna's Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, specializing in food and environmental analysis. She leads the Analytics and Chemistry Working Group, focusing on mass spectrometry-based method development for toxin detection. Her research examines mycotoxin/phycotoxin metabolism, analytical chemistry innovations, and food safety solutions. Education: PhD in Food Science (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 2014) MSc in Safety in the Food Chain (BOKU/University of Copenhagen, 2010) BSc in Food Biotechnology (BOKU, 2007) Research Focus: Dr. Varga's work bridges analytical chemistry and food safety, with emphasis on: (1) Development of LC-MS/GC-MS methods for toxin detection, (2) Metabolism of mycotoxins in biological systems, (3) Characterization of algal toxins (prymnesins, karmitoxin), and (4) Risk assessment of emerging food contaminants. Her recent publications demonstrate strong focus on toxin interactions, environmental impacts, and analytical method standardization. Professional Recognition: Erwin Schrödinger Postdoc Fellowship (FWF, 2016-2018) Head of Analytics Group, ALVA (since 2020) Member: Austrian Toxicology Society, Mycotoxin Research Society, Austrian Chemical Society Research Leadership: Coordinates international collaborations on mycotoxin/phycotoxin analysis and validation studies. Supervises graduate research in food chemistry and analytical method development.

• Food Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Mycotoxin Research
• +3 more

Herbert Michlmayr is a researcher at the Institute of Plant Breeding within the Department für Agrarwissenschaften at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna . His work focuses on plant-microbe interactions and mycotoxin detoxification mechanisms. Specializes in Trichothecene toxin metabolism Develops analytical methods for mycotoxin detection Investigates UDP-glucosyltransferase activity in plant defense Collaborates across disciplines in food safety and agricultural biotechnology Michlmayr's research addresses fungal contamination in cereals through biochemical approaches, including deoxynivalenol (DON) modification and masked mycotoxin analysis . His publications demonstrate expertise in enzymatic synthesis and toxin structural characterization . He has supervised Master's theses on heterologous enzyme systems and serves as peer reviewer for journals like Food Chemistry and Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology . His work informs EU-funded research on food safety and FWF projects on plant-pathogen interactions.

• Mycotoxin Research
• Plant Detoxification Mechanisms
• Food Safety
• +4 more

Harald Berger is a researcher at the Institute of Microbial Genetics within the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work centers on fungal genetics, epigenetics, and secondary metabolism, with a focus on chromatin dynamics and gene regulation in species such as Aspergillus nidulans and Fusarium . He has been actively involved in multiple long-term research projects funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and regional agencies, primarily as a project staff member under Prof. Joseph Strauss. His research interests include: Fungal epigenetics and chromatin remodeling Regulation of secondary metabolite and mycotoxin production Gene expression dynamics in response to environmental cues Plant-pathogen and microbial interspecies interactions Histone modifications (e.g., H2A.Z, H3K27me3) Berger's recent publications (2020–2025) reveal a strong trend in understanding how chromatin structure governs fungal development and metabolism. His work combines molecular biology, genomics, and systems biology to dissect regulatory networks in filamentous fungi. A recurring theme is the interplay between histone variants and methylation marks in silencing or activating biosynthetic gene clusters. He has contributed to significant findings, including the role of H2A.Z in counteracting H3K27me3-mediated silencing, the function of the KdmB-EcoA-RpdA-SntB chromatin complex, and the identification of signaling molecules like Polaramycin B in microbial crosstalk. ORCID: 0000-0001-7974-3058 Berger has collaborated extensively on projects related to fungal virulence, soil microbial communities, and environmental stress responses. He has also engaged in science communication, notably through the Sparkling Science project "Das Internet der Pilze" (2019). While he does not appear to supervise theses, his collaborative network is broad and impactful. He is based at Konrad Lorenz-Straße 24, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria.

• Microbial Genetics
• Fungal Epigenetics
• Chromatin Dynamics
• +7 more