Notburga Gierlinger

Notburga Gierlinger is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Biophysics, part of the Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Resources at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna. Her work integrates plant cell walls, biomechanics, and Raman spectroscopy to explore natural adaptations and sustainable material design.

Her PhD research (2003) laid the foundation for her current focus on lignin, suberin, and cutin in plant surfaces and interfaces. Her research interests span wood science, botany, nanotechnology, and biomimetic materials, with a particular emphasis on plant adaptations to extreme environments and sustainable composites.

Her publications highlight plant surface chemistry, cell wall mechanics, and nanostructured materials, often leveraging Raman imaging and multivariate data analysis. Recent work explores alpine plant adaptations, self-healing adhesives, and nut shell biomechanics.

Scientific Awards:

• ERC Consolidator Grant (2015)
• FWF START-Preis (2013)
• APART Fellowship (2006)
• Klaus FISCHER-Innovationspreis (2003)
• Sonderpreis 'Fabrik der Zukunft' (2003)

She supervises PhD and Master’s students in projects like Electric Surface Charges in Woodworking, Wood and Walnut Shell-based Particleboards, and Ice Management in Plant Tissues, while serving as a peer reviewer for journals in plant science, biomaterials, and spectroscopy.