Holzapfel Gerhard A

Gerhard A. Holzapfel is a Full Professor of Biomechanics and Head of the Institute of Biomechanics at Graz University of Technology (Austria) since 2007. He holds adjunct and visiting positions at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and the University of Glasgow (Scotland). His academic journey includes a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Graz University of Technology, a Habilitation from TU Vienna (1996), and prestigious awards such as the START-Award (1997) and the Warner T. Koiter Medal (2021).

His research focuses on constitutive modeling of biosolids, nonlinear continuum mechanics, and medical image processing. Notable contributions include studies on arterial wall mechanics, fibrous tissue behavior, and computational biomechanics. Holzapfel leads interdisciplinary teams exploring mechanobiology, vascular pathologies, and biomaterials, with applications in cardiovascular engineering and disease modeling.

Education:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Graz University of Technology
• Habilitation, TU Vienna (1996)

Research Highlights:

• Multi-scale modeling of biological tissues
• Biaxial mechanical testing and microscopy integration
• Computational fluid-structure interaction (FSI) in vascular systems
• Biomechanical implications of medical interventions (e.g., stents, angioplasty)

Awards:

• Warner T. Koiter Medal (2021)
• Corresponding Member, Austrian Academy of Sciences (2012)
• Erwin Schrödinger Prize (2011)
• START-Award (1997)

Labs & Teams: Leads the Institute of Biomechanics at TU Graz, collaborating with international teams on vascular biomechanics and mechanobiology.