Johanna Pirker serves as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Human-Centred Computing, Graz University of Technology, where she holds teaching authorization in Applied Computer Science. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in interactive technologies, maintaining active consultation hours for students every Monday morning. Her research centers on human-centered computing with emphases on virtual/augmented reality systems, serious game design, and AI-driven interactive experiences. She investigates player behavior, user experience optimization, and therapeutic/educational applications of immersive technologies across diverse contexts including rehabilitation, engineering education, and social platforms. Recent 2025 publications reveal strong trends in AI integration for gaming ecosystems (toxicity detection, dialogue systems), VR-based educational tools across disciplines, and cross-cultural analyses of gaming communities. Her work consistently combines experimental user studies with novel system development to address real-world challenges. While specific grant details and student advising records aren't documented in source materials, her extensive publication output across venues like FDG and iLRN indicates active leadership in interdisciplinary collaborations focused on advancing immersive technologies for societal benefit.
Brian Horsak is a Professor and Head of the Center for Digital Health and Social Innovation at Fachhochschule Steyr. He holds an endowed professorship in Applied Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Research, focusing on integrating advanced technologies like VR/AR, machine learning, and wearable devices into clinical gait analysis and motor rehabilitation. His roles include leading the Institute of Health Sciences and contributing to the Department of Health Sciences and Media and Digital Technologies. Education: Dr. rer. nat. (2012, University of Vienna), Habilitation in Kinesiology (2020, University of Vienna), Master's in Sports Science (2002–2008, University of Vienna). Research interests revolve around improving patient care through biomechanical innovations, including musculoskeletal simulations, gait pattern analysis, and rehabilitation technologies. He leads projects like ReMoCap-Lab (motion capture for motor rehabilitation) and chairs the Applied Biomechanics in Rehabilitation Research initiative. Key achievements include the Lower Austria Innovation Prize (2021), multiple best paper awards, and grants for projects like TRUST AI and VReeze. His work bridges clinical practice with digital health solutions, emphasizing explainable AI (XAI) in gait classification and VR-based balance training. Notable contributions include developing the GaitRec dataset and studies on smartphone-based motion capture reliability. He collaborates internationally, publishing widely in Gait & Posture , Scientific Reports , and IEEE journals. Current projects focus on AI-driven gait analysis, musculoskeletal modeling, and XR applications in healthcare.
Mathias Benedek is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Graz, Austria. He directs the Creative Cognition Lab and is actively involved in several research networks, including the "Complexity of Life" profile area, the "Brain and Behavior" research network, and the "FUTURE EDUCATION" research network at the University of Graz. His research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying creative thinking, with particular emphasis on the role of memory processes, metacognition, and eye movement patterns during creative ideation. Dr. Benedek's work bridges psychological theory with empirical research methods including eye tracking, neuroimaging, and computational modeling of creative processes. His research has important implications for understanding how creative potential develops and how it can be assessed and nurtured in educational and professional contexts. Dr. Benedek's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on creative cognition across multiple dimensions. His recent work has expanded into emerging areas such as human-AI collaboration for creative tasks, automated assessment of creativity using large language models, and the relationship between physical activity and creative performance. His research shows a strong trajectory toward more ecologically valid methods for studying creativity in real-world contexts, moving beyond traditional laboratory paradigms. Seraphine Puchleitner Anerkennungspreis (PhD Supervision Award), University of Graz, 2021 William-Stern-Preis, German Psychological Society, 2019 Research Prize, University of Graz, 2017 Research Prize (Publication Category), Initiative Gehirnforschung, 2016 Berlyne Award, Division 10, American Psychological Association, 2015 Dr. Benedek has demonstrated strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers, as evidenced by his 2021 PhD Supervision Award. His research has been supported by multiple grants from national and international funding bodies, though specific grant details are not provided in the available information. His professional service includes leadership roles in the Initiative Gehirnforschung Steiermark since 2010 and active membership in several psychological societies across Europe and North America. Dr. Benedek leads the Creative Cognition Lab at the University of Graz, which employs a multidisciplinary approach to studying creative processes. The lab integrates methods from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computational modeling to investigate the mechanisms underlying creative thought. Current research projects examine the relationship between eye movements and internal cognitive processes, the development of automated assessment tools for creativity, and the application of creativity research to educational contexts.
Professor Alun Jones serves as Professor of Geography and Head of School at University College Dublin's School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy. Previously, he held professorships at the University of Leicester and University College London, with visiting positions at Oxford, Cambridge, and Bonn. His institutional leadership includes roles as Head of Geography at UCD (2007-present), Head of Department at Leicester (2005-2007), and Chair of Research Assessment Exercises. His research centers on EU governance , Europeanization processes , and Mediterranean studies , with significant contributions to understanding rural transformations in France and Germany. Current work examines EU-Mediterranean discourses within theoretical frameworks of Europeanization, supported by competitive grants from IRCHSS and EPA. His scholarship bridges political geography and institutional analysis of European integration. Elected Member of the Royal Irish Academy (2010) Academician of the Learned Societies for Social Sciences (2005) Edward Heath Award for EU Governance Research (2004) Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship (2002) Multiple international scholarships including DAAD and Robert Schuman Professor Jones supervises doctoral research on EU governance, Irish rural representation in Brussels, migration impacts, and agricultural innovations. He has secured over €1.8 million in research funding, including €1.4 million as Coordinator for the EU Fourth Framework Programme on agricultural innovation. His advisory roles span the Dublin European Institute, Royal Irish Academy's Geographical Sciences Committee, and editorial boards including Environment and Planning C.
Karl-Heinz Wagner is Full Professor of Nutrition and Food Quality at the University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Nutritional Sciences. He directs an experimental research group investigating how lifestyle factors—diet, specific food components, phytochemicals, physical activity and bioactive non-food compounds—modulate oxidative stress and DNA stability in humans, with emphasis on aging and sarcopenia. He initiated the university-wide “Active Ageing” research platform and coordinates EU projects such as SHIFT2HEALTH. Education & Affiliations: University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Nutritional Sciences – Professor and Chair of Nutrition and Food Quality Principal investigator of the Emerging Field “Oxidative Stress and DNA Stability” Head of the “Active Ageing” research platform activeageing.univie.ac.at Research Focus: Prof. Wagner’s group applies state-of-the-art biochemical and molecular techniques to quantify antioxidant compounds, ROS-induced DNA and chromosomal damage, DNA repair capacity and transcriptional regulation of antioxidant defenses. Human intervention trials, cross-sectional cohorts and in-vitro models are used to examine: Impact of plant-based vs. animal-based diets on multimorbidity risk Nitrate-rich beetroot juice effects on microbiome, vascular function and oxidative stress Bilirubin biology and metabolic health in Gilbert’s syndrome High-protein nutrition and resistance training on DNA damage and muscle quality in older adults Microbiota-derived metabolites that enhance CD8 T-cell antitumor immunity after exercise Publication Trends 2023-2025: Recent output demonstrates a strategic shift toward multi-omics integration (metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics) to dissect diet–microbiome–immune crosstalk and to identify predictive biomarkers of healthy ageing. Papers consistently appear in top-tier journals (Cell, Lancet Healthy Longev, Redox Biol, Mol Nutr Food Res) and embrace large multinational cohorts, randomized controlled trials and mechanistic animal/cellular work. Funding & Networks: Research is mainly funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), National Bank, European Commission (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe), EU Cross-Border Co-operation and the University of Vienna. A dense national and international partner network ensures continuous biomarker development and knowledge transfer. Student Training & Citizen Science: Prof. Wagner actively involves MSc/PhD students and post-docs in externally funded projects and advertises internships via ERASMUS+. Study participant recruitment portals for projects like SHIFT2HEALTH, NUTRIAGING and bilirubin clinical studies are maintained to engage the public and foster translational impact.
Andreas Fink serves as a University Professor at the Institute of Psychology within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Austria. His research bridges cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and sports science with a particular emphasis on understanding the neurobiological foundations of creative thinking and emotional processing. As a leading figure in creativity neuroscience, Professor Fink employs advanced methodologies including EEG, fMRI, and ambulatory monitoring to investigate how physical activity influences brain function and cognitive performance. His work has significant implications for mental health interventions and cognitive enhancement strategies across various populations. Professor Fink's research interests center on three interconnected domains: biological mechanisms of cognitive and affective functions, creativity neuroscience, and the relationship between physical activity and brain health. His laboratory investigates how physical exercise influences neural processes related to creativity, emotion regulation, and cognitive performance through both basic neuroscience research and applied interventions. A hallmark of his approach is examining EEG alpha power during creative ideation tasks while simultaneously exploring how running, dance, and other physical activities can improve mental health outcomes and cognitive functioning. His work spans from laboratory-based experimental designs to real-world interventions with ecological validity. Analysis of Professor Fink's recent publication trajectory reveals a sophisticated evolution in his research focus, with increasing emphasis on the intersection of physical movement, brain function, and creative cognition. His work has progressively incorporated more ecologically valid approaches using ambulatory monitoring to study creativity in natural contexts, while maintaining rigorous neuroscience methodology. A consistent theme across his publications is neuroplasticity, particularly how physical exercise interventions induce structural and functional brain changes, with special attention to hippocampal volume and white matter integrity. His research has expanded to explore specialized forms of creativity including malevolent creativity and the nuanced relationship between everyday movement patterns and creative cognition. 2009 Psychology Prize for innovative scientific or practical work for his habilitation thesis 'The neuroscientific study of creative thinking' from the Professional Association of Austrian Psychologists (BÖP) and the Austrian Psychological Society (ÖGP) Professor Fink currently leads multiple significant research initiatives funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), including 'Neuronal mechanisms underlying the generation of creative solutions in complex environments' (2016-2018), 'Running Away From Depression with Your Brain and Your Heart' (2022-2025), and 'Dance and Brain' (2024-2026). These projects demonstrate his commitment to translating basic neuroscience findings into practical interventions for mental health. While specific doctoral students aren't listed in the provided materials, his position as a full professor and principal investigator on multiple grants indicates active mentorship of junior researchers and graduate students. His collaborative approach is evident through interdisciplinary partnerships spanning psychology, neuroscience, sports science, and clinical practice. Professor Fink is an active member of the 'Complexity of Life' profile area at the University of Graz and participates in the 'Brain and Behavior' research network. His laboratory environment fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together researchers from diverse backgrounds to tackle complex questions about the brain-mind-body connection. Current projects suggest his team employs a multimodal approach combining neuroimaging, physiological monitoring, behavioral assessments, and intervention studies to comprehensively investigate how physical activity influences brain function and creative cognition. His 'Running Away From Depression' project exemplifies his translational research focus, directly connecting basic neuroscience findings to clinical applications for mental health improvement.
Dr. Jana Meixner is an Academic Associate at the University for Continuing Education Krems and collaborates with Cochrane Austria. Her work focuses on Evidence-Based Medicine, Public Health, and Epidemiology. She actively contributes to research projects such as "Medizin Transparent 2024" and "Implementation of cancer screening in Europe," funded by EU and public institutions. Her research emphasizes combating health misinformation, improving healthcare communication, and advancing systematic reviews in areas like influenza management and animal-assisted interventions. She frequently lectures on topics such as fake science, reliable health information, and evidence-based practices, engaging audiences ranging from medical professionals to the general public. Her publications span peer-reviewed journals and media outlets, addressing critical issues in healthcare transparency, patient education, and pandemic responses. She is affiliated with the Evidence-Based Health Research group at her university and actively participates in interdisciplinary collaborations to bridge gaps between scientific evidence and practical healthcare applications. Projects: Leading roles in EU-funded cancer screening initiatives and transparency-focused health communication programs. Grants: Secured funding from EU and Austrian public health institutions. Labs/Teams: Cochrane Austria, Evidence-Based Health Research group at University for Continuing Education Krems.
Hermann Schwameder is a full Professor and Head of the Department of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Salzburg, where he also leads the Biomechanics Working Group. His research focuses on biomechanical modeling, human movement analysis, and workload measurement in sports. Key projects include directing the FFG-funded DiMo-Next initiative and the Running Laboratory PLUS. His research explores kinematic patterns in trail running, locomotor-respiratory synchronization via mobile technology, and clinical shoulder mobility assessments. Schwameder holds leadership roles in scientific societies, including former presidency of the Austrian Society of Sports Science (2018-2022) and the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (2005-2007). He obtained his doctorate in Sports Science from the University of Salzburg (1994) and completed habilitation in Human Movement Science (2003). Current responsibilities include chairing the Department Council and overseeing graduate curricula in Sport and Exercise Science.
Brian Horsak is a Privatdozent (equivalent to Associate Professor) at the University of Vienna, affiliated with the Department of Sport and Human Movement Science within the Faculty of Sports Sciences. He serves as a member of the PI Panel/Supervisors for the Sport Science program at the Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (VDS PhaNuSpo). His research group is located at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences with strong collaboration to the Centre for Sport Science and University Sports at the University of Vienna. Dr. Horsak's primary research interests focus on clinical (gait) biomechanics and interdisciplinary approaches between therapy and technology. His work is dedicated to understanding musculoskeletal loading of the lower extremities during locomotion and exercise, and developing assistive technologies such as machine learning algorithms and virtual reality applications to support patients and therapists during rehabilitation. Specific areas include: Clinical gait analysis and biomechanics Musculoskeletal loading in lower extremities Patellofemoral instability and joint biomechanics Machine learning applications for gait classification Virtual reality for rehabilitation Biomechanics of obesity and pediatric movement disorders 3D motion capture and markerless technology His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating advanced computational methods with clinical biomechanics. Over the past five years, his work has increasingly focused on smartphone-based motion capture systems, deep learning applications for gait analysis, and virtual reality environments. His research bridges engineering technology and clinical rehabilitation, with particular attention to knee biomechanics, patellofemoral disorders, and movement analysis in pediatric obesity. Dr. Horsak teaches courses including 'Methods and Concepts of Biomechanics and Sports Informatics' and serves as supervisor for PhD students Bernhard Dumphart and Mark Simonlehner. His research group maintains strong collaborations with the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences and appears to be involved in multiple interdisciplinary projects combining sports science, engineering, and clinical rehabilitation.
María Llorens-Martín is a Tenured Senior Researcher at the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and a Group Leader at the Center for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa (CBMSO). Her academic career spans roles including Assistant Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) under the ‘Ramón y Cajal’ tenure-track program, postdoctoral research at the University of Tsukuba (Japan), and fellowships from CSIC, CIBERNED, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. B.Sc. in Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) (2004) M.Sc. in Neurosciences, UCM (2006) Ph.D. in Neurosciences, UCM (‘Sobresaliente Summa Cum Laude’) (2009) Her research focuses on adult hippocampal neurogenesis in health and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Key areas include the impact of exercise on brain aging , tau protein regulation , and GSK-3β signaling in neuronal morphology . She has pioneered protocols for studying human hippocampal neurogenesis and demonstrated its decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Her work has been published in top-tier journals including Science , Nature Medicine , and Molecular Psychiatry , with high citations (h-index: 34). She has supervised multiple PhD students and received prestigious awards like the Miguel Catalán Young Investigator Award and induction into the Spanish Young Academy. Extraordinary award ‘Best Doctoral Dissertation’ (UCM, 2009) Young Investigator Award (CBMSO, 2013) National Young Investigator Award (CIBERNED, 2013) Miguel Catalán Young Investigator Award (2019) Young Female Talent in Biology (Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences, 2019) Full Member, Spanish Young Academy (2021) As a Group Leader at CBMSO, she supervises ongoing doctoral research and leads projects exploring the cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neuroplasticity. Her lab focuses on translating findings into therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Thorsten Jarz-Sand is a Professor at the Pädagogische Hochschule Steiermark (Styrian College of Teacher Education), specializing in Secondary Vocational Teacher Education. His work focuses on integrating advanced IT systems into educational environments, emphasizing practical technical guidance for schools and organizations. He holds a Magister degree and teaches courses on network infrastructure, system administration, and programming. His research interests include Windows operating systems, server management, and educational technology applications. Key areas of expertise include Active Directory, Hyper-V virtualization, network security, and programming languages like C# and VB.NET. Dr. Jarz-Sand has authored over a dozen technical manuals, including guides for Windows Server 2022, Windows 11, and foundational network technologies. His books emphasize hands-on learning through exercises and real-world case studies, making complex IT concepts accessible for educators and IT professionals. He maintains an active presence in academic and professional circles through his publications and contributions to didactic IT education. Contact him via email or visit his website for resources.
Ruth Breu is a Full Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics at the Universität Innsbruck, where she also leads the Quality Engineering research group. She has been a key figure in the Department of Computer Science since 2002 and served as its Head from 2013 to 2024. Her academic journey began with a PhD summa cum laude from the University of Passau in 1991, followed by a habilitation at the Technical University of Munich in 1999. Her research interests include: Quality Engineering Model and Security Engineering Requirements and Software Development Processes Enterprise Architecture Management Threat Intelligence and Digital Twins Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on model-based systems, automated programming assessment, security engineering, and digital twins in construction and energy systems. She frequently collaborates with researchers such as Michael Felderer, Clemens Sauerwein, and Philipp Zech, contributing to advancements in software testing, threat intelligence sharing, and cyber-physical systems. Notable awards include her PhD awarded summa cum laude. She has also been actively involved in national research governance, serving on the board of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) from 2011 to 2020. She co-founded Txture GmbH in 2017 and holds advisory roles at Universität Passau and FH OST. Ruth Breu advises several students and leads a vibrant research group. Her leadership extends to organizing workshops and contributing to major conferences in software engineering and enterprise modeling. She is deeply engaged in both academic and applied research, bridging theory and practice in IT quality and security.
Jan Wilke is a Professor at the Institute of Sports Science of Alpen-Adria-University Klagenfurt. His current role includes leading the institute as its Head of Institute, with contact information listed as jan.wilke@aau.at. Research Focus : Sports Science Key Areas : Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Training Science, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation
Peter Purgathofer is an Associate Professor at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Faculty of Informatics, where he works within the Institute of Design and Assessment of Technology, specifically in the Human-Computer Interaction group. He serves as coordinator for the Media Informatics bachelor and master programs and has been actively involved in teaching and research since 2005. Dr. Purgathofer's research centers around the interplay between design and software development, particularly focusing on the role and place of design in software engineering. He identifies as an "experience designer" in the sense described by Bill Buxton's book "Sketching User Experiences." His work spans Human-Computer Interaction, UX Design, Human-Centered Informatics, Game Design with a focus on Positive Impact Games, Digital Culture and Learning, and the societal implications of Informatics. He has a strong interest in the co-development of technology and society, with particular attention to sustainability and resilience. His publication record shows a consistent focus on bridging theory and practice in design methodology, with recent work emphasizing educational applications, social implications of technology, and the philosophical foundations of informatics as a discipline. His research often takes a transdisciplinary approach, connecting insights from computer science, design, education, and social sciences. Award of distinction at the Prix Ars Electronica 2000 in the category .net for the project Telezone Dr. Purgathofer has founded and led the UID-Lab (1996-2004), a cooperation with GP Design Partners, and co-founded the Positive Impact Games Lab (PigLAB) in 2012 with Fares Kayali. He is also the creator of the podcast "Peter Purgathofer spricht mit..." where he discusses topics from shared fields of expertise with outstanding individuals. He serves on the board of trustees at the European Forum Alpbach since 2016. His laboratory work includes the Positive Impact Games Lab (PigLAB), which serves as a breeding ground for research and design projects around game-based applications. He's also involved in the Aurora project, which explores new ways to organize and conduct teaching without traditional constraints. Current research projects include Way·Key (tools for people with inchoate dementia), Sparkling Games (game-based learning for 14-18 age bracket), and various educational technology initiatives.
Hilleke Hulshoff Pol is a full professor of neuroscience at Utrecht University and leads the Brain Plasticity Group . She also holds a part-time professorship in precision psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , USA, and is affiliated with the University Medical Center Utrecht . Her research spans structural and functional brain plasticity, integrating genetic, neuroimaging, and behavioral data across the lifespan. Key Positions: Full Professor (Utrecht, 2021–present), Part-time Professor (Mount Sinai, 2022–present), Affiliated Professor (UMC Utrecht, 2021–present) Her work emphasizes: Genetic and environmental influences on brain structure and function Longitudinal studies of brain development and aging Neuroimaging in psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia Machine learning applications in neuroimaging Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining genomics , MRI , and machine learning , with a focus on polygenic risk scores and longitudinal brain changes. Awards include the VIDI Award , High Potential Award , and recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher (2018–2020). Scientific Honors: ACNP member (2020), AcademiaNet member (2015), VIDI/NWO (2004), SOFOCLES (2003) She contributes to national and international consortia ( GUTS , ENIGMA ) and aims to further elucidate how brain plasticity affects pre- and postnatal development and aging to improve mental health outcomes.
