Elisabeth Varga

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.