Hans Irschik is a Full Professor and Head of the Institute of Technical Mechanics at Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Austria. He has held key academic roles, including Vice-Rector for Research (1995-2001) and Chair of the Senate (2009-2013) at JKU, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Acta Mechanica . His work bridges structural mechanics, mechatronics, and control systems. Education: Studied Civil Engineering at Vienna University of Technology, earned Doctor of Technical Sciences (1981) and Habilitation in Mechanics (1986). Research interests include structural control, continuum mechanics, and smart materials. His contributions span theoretical developments and applied control strategies for aging structures. Recent articles focus on Lagrangian formulations, piezoelectric sensors, and beam theories, reflecting his expertise in mechanics and structural health monitoring. Scientific Awards & Memberships: Full Member, Austrian Academy of Sciences (since 2011) Honorary Doctorate, St. Petersburg Polytechnical University (2009) President, European Association of Structural Control and Health Monitoring (2008-2012) Fellow, Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (2006) City of Vienna Award (1988) Kardinal Innitzer-Award (1988) Grants & Projects: Led Austrian Science Fund (FWF) research since 1993. Key researcher in the K2-Austrian Center of Competence in Mechatronics (since 2001). Participated in EUROMECH committees and European Science Foundation programs.
Paola Ayala is a Professor at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Vienna, specializing in the Electronic Properties of Materials . Her research focuses on nanomaterials, particularly carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbyne, exploring their electronic, magnetic, and optical properties. She leads the Doctoral College Advanced Functional Materials (DCAFM) (2020–2025), fostering interdisciplinary training in nanotechnology. Key research areas include nitrogen doping of carbon nanotubes, magnetic coupling in nanoclusters, and sensor applications of nanocomposites. She has pioneered studies on confined carbyne synthesis and the environmental stability of 1D nanocarbons. Ayala’s work bridges theoretical modeling (e.g., DFT simulations) and experimental techniques like Raman spectroscopy and XPS analysis. Her 2017 Matilde Hidalgo Prize recognizes contributions to nanomaterials science. She actively promotes STEM equity, co-authoring reports on women in physics in Austria and Ecuador. Ayala has supervised over 97 publications since 2007, with recent emphasis on functional nanomaterials for energy, sensing, and biomedical applications. Notable projects include developing flexible formaldehyde sensors and investigating magnetic properties of iron nanoclusters. She collaborates globally, presenting at conferences like the 2024 UNIVIE NanoteC Symposium and the 2023 International Nanotechnology Congress.
Tobias Ofner-Graff is a researcher at the Institute of Forest Growth within the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Based at Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Wien, his work focuses on advanced forest monitoring technologies. His research interests include: LiDAR and remote sensing applications in forestry Automated forest inventory systems Forest regeneration quantification Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data analysis Sustainable forest harvesting planning Recent project contributions include: Leading lidar-based forest monitoring systems development Developing spatial forest growth models Implementing digital inventory workflows His publications demonstrate expertise in: Quantifying forest resources through 3D point clouds Advanced timber stack measurement techniques ALS data integration for forest modeling Mobile laser scanning applications Forest climate adaptation strategies
Univ.-Prof. Katja Corcoran serves as Professor of Psychology and Vice Dean for Research at the University of Graz's Faculty of Natural Sciences, leading the Institute of Psychology. She directs the university's 'Smart Regulation' profile area and participates in the 'Brain and behavior' research network, with leadership roles including former Head of Psychology Institute (2017-2019) and Deputy Head of Doctoral School of Psychology (2021-2023). Her research centers on social psychological mechanisms in sustainability transitions, particularly: Energy citizenship frameworks and prosumer behavior Goal contagion dynamics in social networks Intergroup contact interventions in educational settings Regulatory psychology for sustainable systems Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate interdisciplinary integration of psychological, legal, and economic perspectives, featuring field experiments across Austria and multi-lab European collaborations examining energy citizenship scales, behavioral nudges for appliance usage, and prejudice reduction in schools. Honors include: Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2004) She currently directs major funded initiatives: EU: 'Energy Citizenship and Energy Communities for Clean-Energy Transition' (2021-2024) FFG: 'FIWARE Driven Energy Communities for the Future' (2023-2026) International: 'Active User Participation for Smart Energy Services' (2020-2023) Corcoran serves on editorial boards of Social Psychology (since 2016) and Social Cognition (since 2013), and her work operates within the 'Brain and behavior' network fostering neuroscience-psychology-economics collaborations for complex decision-making research.
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.
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.
Univ.Prof. Helmut Habersack is a Professor in Hydraulic Engineering at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. His research focuses on sediment transport dynamics, river restoration, flood management, and hydropower impacts in large river systems. He leads the Hydraulic Engineering, Hydraulics and River Research department, specializing in fluvial processes and their environmental implications. His work integrates field measurements, laboratory experiments, and computational modeling to address challenges in sustainable water resource management. Key areas include bedload dynamics in glacial catchments, floodplain evaluation, and sediment management strategies for hydropower systems. He collaborates internationally on projects such as DanubeSediment and EFRE initiatives, emphasizing transboundary river management and climate change adaptation. His contributions span over 150 peer-reviewed articles, advancing methodologies in tracer-based sediment tracking and floodplain resilience assessment. Education and qualifications include Dipl.-Ing. (FH), Dr.nat.techn., and Dr.hc honoris causa. Consultation hours are available by appointment. Research highlights include innovative approaches to river restoration in the Thaya border section, critical flood flow analysis during extreme events like the 2024 Wien River flood, and development of the Floodplain Evaluation Matrix (FEM) for multi-criteria river assessments. He also investigates microplastic transport in large rivers and hydraulic infrastructure impacts on aquatic ecosystems. His laboratory facilities support advanced experimental studies on sediment-particle interactions and ecohydraulic modeling.
Tamar Kohn is a Full Professor and Director of the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory at EPFL's School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is also an Adjunct Researcher at Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology) since 2010. Her academic journey includes Associate Professor (2014-2023), Tenure-track Assistant Professor (2007-2014), and Postdoctoral Fellow (2004-2006) at EPFL, as well as a Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan (2016-2017). Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (Johns Hopkins University, 2004), Diploma (MSc) in Environmental Sciences (ETH Zurich, 1999) Her research focuses on environmental virology, photochemistry, and water treatment. Key areas include airborne virus inactivation, waterborne pathogen disinfection, and the chemical fate of contaminants. She has pioneered studies on sunlight's role in pathogen inactivation and wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. Her publications address: (1) airborne virus survival mechanisms (2023), (2) wastewater variant tracking (2022), (3) chlorine-resistant viruses (2020), (4) sunlight disinfection modeling (2018), and (5) disinfectant mechanisms (2012). These works have been cited over 350 times in major journals. Scientific Awards: Excellence in Review Awards (2021, 2011), Paper of the Year Award (2016), Emerging Investigators Issue feature (2010) Kohn has supervised 16 PhD students (12 completed), 18 postdocs, and 25 Master's students. She has secured over 6 million Swiss francs in research funding and holds editorial roles (e.g., Associate Editor, Environmental Science & Technology). Institutional responsibilities include chairing EPFL's Environmental Engineering strategy committee and serving on WHO expert panels.
Silvia Winter is a researcher at the Institute of Plant Protection , part of the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). With a career spanning over two decades, she focuses on agroecology , vineyard biodiversity , and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. Education: Master in Bioinformatics (2018, FH Campus Wien) Doctorate in Natural Sciences (2012, BOKU) Degree in Agricultural Sciences (2005, BOKU) Her research investigates how vineyard management practices , landscape composition , and climate change impact biodiversity , soil health , and pest control . She specializes in predatory mite ecology , soil biota interactions , and citizen science applications in biodiversity monitoring. A meta-analysis of her 15 most recent articles reveals trends in agroecosystem modeling , functional trait analysis , and environmental policy evaluation . Scientific Awards: Dr. Karl Schleinzer Förderungspreis (2006) Winter leads projects like "Detection dogs hunting for poisonous plants in arable fields" and "EU Environmental scenarios for ERA of non-target organisms" , funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) , EU institutions , and national agencies . She collaborates with institutions across Europe and South Africa, integrating soil science , plant ecology , and technology for sustainable agriculture .
Professor Valerie O'Donnell is a distinguished academic at Cardiff University's School of Medicine, where she serves as Professor of Biochemistry and Co-Director of the Systems Immunity Research Institute (SIURI), established in 2016 with £4.5M funding. She leads the internationally recognized LIPID MAPS project (www.lipidmaps.org) and Cardiff Lipidomic Facility, positioning her at the forefront of lipidomics research. With over two decades of academic leadership, she previously served as Director of the Division of Infection and Immunity (2017-2020) and Dean of Research for the School of Medicine (2012-2014). Professor O'Donnell earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Bristol (1990-1993) working with Prof. OTG Jones and Dr. PJ England of SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, following her B.Sc. in Human Nutrition & Dietetics (Hons. 2.1) from University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ireland (1985-1989). Her academic journey includes prestigious fellowships at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Bern, Switzerland, before establishing her career at Cardiff University. Her research focuses on using mass spectrometry to discover and characterize bioactive lipids made by circulating vascular cells that regulate immune defense and blood clotting. Over the past 20 years, her lab discovered large families of enzymatically-oxidized phospholipids (eoxPL) and has worked extensively on their structures, signaling actions in thrombosis and innate immunity. Current research examines the role of bioactive lipids in vascular inflammation including abdominal aortic aneurysm, cardiovascular disease, dementia and wound healing. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on lipidomics methodology development, clinical applications of lipid research, and the role of specific lipids in disease mechanisms. Her work spans analytical chemistry, cardiovascular biology, immunology, and clinical translation, with particular focus on procoagulant lipids, oxylipins, and specialized pro-resolving mediators. The research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary collaboration and methodological standardization efforts in the lipidomics field. Professor O'Donnell's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: 2023: Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to biochemical research 2020: Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences 2019: Journal of Lipid Research Lectureship Award 2016: Wolfson Research Merit Award, Royal Society 2015: Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales 2013: Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology She currently serves as Principal Investigator for British Heart Foundation and Wellcome Trust funding, while also participating as co-Investigator for Medical Research Council (MRC), EU (Marie Curie ITN), and Welsh Government projects. Her panel memberships include Population Systems Medicine Board (MRC) and Biomedical Resources Committee (Wellcome Trust). With a Google Scholar H-index of 52, she has been included in UK national research assessments RAE2002, RAE2008, and REF2014. Professor O'Donnell leads the Systems Immunity Research Institute, a strategic research institute at Cardiff University, and directs the Cardiff Lipidomic Facility as part of the LIPID MAPS consortium. Her laboratory continues to make significant contributions to understanding how bioactive lipids regulate vascular inflammation and coagulation, with recent work focusing on the role of specific phospholipids in conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In 2024, LIPID MAPS became an ELIXIR Core Data Resource and a member of the Global Biodata Coalition, with an MRC Partnership Grant commencing funding.
Christoph Rosinger is a researcher at the Institute of Agronomy (iPBAU) within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work focuses on soil microbiology, conservation farming, and carbon-nutrient dynamics in agricultural and forest soils. Research Themes: Soil organic carbon stabilization, microbial community responses to amendments, and agricultural pollution mitigation using struvite/zeolites Methodologies: On-farm studies, multi-model simulations, and biogeochemical stoichiometry analysis Publication Trends emphasize microbial pathways in carbon sequestration, amendment effects on nutrient cycling, and seasonal soil processes. Recent work explores AI vs. process-based modeling for SOC prediction and volcanic ash pedogenesis. Earlier studies address subtropical soil nutrient limitations and post-disturbance fungal dynamics.
Jinsong Leng is a Full Professor and Director of both the International Center for Applied Mechanics and the Center of Smart Materials and Structures at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). His research focuses on smart materials, 4D printing, and advanced composites with applications in aerospace, biomedical engineering, and robotics. He has held leadership roles since 2004, including directing major research centers since 2007. His honors include membership in the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2021) and fellowships from AAAS (2018), RAeS (2013), and IOP (2011). His work bridges fundamental material science with practical innovations, such as deployable space structures and biodegradable medical devices. He collaborates globally, having held postdoctoral positions in the UK and Singapore before returning to HIT. Notable contributions include pioneering 4D-printed metamaterials and shape-memory polymer composites for space and biomedical uses. His labs focus on advancing smart materials for next-generation technologies, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research.
Professor Christian Delles is Professor of Cardiovascular Prevention and Head of the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health at the University of Glasgow. He also serves as an Honorary Consultant Physician with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. Previously, he was Interim Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences and Deputy Director of both the Institute and the BHF Centre of Excellence at the University of Glasgow. Professor Delles's research focuses on prevention of cardiovascular diseases, spanning from fundamental mechanistic research to clinical translation. His work primarily centers on hypertension and includes investigation of the molecular basis of vascular diseases; the pathogenesis and long-term consequences of hypertension including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes; links between cardiovascular and renal diseases; and differences in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases between men and women. His research group includes several specialized teams focusing on diabetes & endocrinology, obesity, kidney disease biomarkers, cognitive impairment & dementia, hypertension, pregnancy complications, and vascular structure & function. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on hypertension mechanisms, cardiovascular-renal interactions, sex and gender differences in cardiovascular disease, and innovative approaches to cardiovascular risk assessment through proteomics and biomarker research. Recent work has expanded into understanding post-COVID cardiovascular effects and the cardiovascular implications of gender-affirming hormone therapy. Professor Delles has received numerous honors including: FAoP (Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland, Inaugural Fellow) MBE for Services during COVID-19 FBIHS (British and Irish Hypertension Society, Inaugural Fellow) FAHA (American Heart Association) FRCP (Glasg) He serves as Secretary of the Council of the European Society of Hypertension, Chair of Scottish Heart & Arterial disease Risk Prevention (SHARP), Honorary Treasurer of the Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland, and Treasurer of the European Council for Cardiovascular Research. Professor Delles is actively involved in academic leadership as chair of the University's Clinical Academic Training Advisory Committee and as a member of national and international grant panels. He also serves as associate editor and on editorial boards of leading cardiovascular journals, contributing significantly to the advancement of cardiovascular science through peer review and scholarly communication.
Thomas Huber is a Researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management , part of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) . Specializing in aquatic macroinvertebrate ecology, his work focuses on river ecosystem assessment, invasive species dynamics, and hydrological impacts across European and Himalayan river systems.
Veronika Kalmus is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Social Studies, where she has held a full-time position since 2015. Previously, she served as Professor of Media Studies (2009-2014) and Associate Professor in Media Studies (2005-2009) at the same institution. She is an active researcher with extensive publications focusing on digital transformations, media sociology, and generational studies. Her educational background includes: Doctoral Degree in Sociology (2003), University of Tartu Research Master's Degree in Media Studies (1998), University of Oslo Master's Degree in Sociology (1998), University of Tartu Bachelor's Degree in Sociology (1995), University of Tartu, cum laude Professor Kalmus's research primarily focuses on social transformations in digital society, with particular attention to children and youth in the context of mediatization and datafication. Her work examines how digital technologies reshape socialization processes, value structures, and generational relationships. She investigates social acceleration and its impact on personal time-use capabilities across different generations. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend toward studying digital skills development, online surveillance, and the impact of digital technologies on social relationships across generations. Her research spans multiple disciplines including sociology, media studies, education, and psychology, with a particular emphasis on cross-cultural and intergenerational comparisons. Much of her recent work addresses methodological challenges in studying digital phenomena across different age groups and cultural contexts, especially during and after the pandemic. Her scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards: National Research Award in Social Sciences (2022) Membership of Academia Europaea (2019) The Badge of Distinction, University of Tartu (2017) Young Scientist Award of the Cultural Foundation of the President of Estonia (2008) Multiple awards for supervising doctoral theses Professor Kalmus has supervised several doctoral students, including Marit Napp and Andra Siibak. She has led multiple research projects including 'Generations and Inter-generational Relationships in the Emerging Information Society' and 'Children and Young People in the Emerging Information and Consumer Society.' Her administrative work includes serving on the Senate of the University of Tartu and as Director of the PhD study program in Sociology. She is actively involved in several research networks including EU Kids Online and the European Media Salon, which she founded in 2021.
