Lower Austria honours researchers across science disciplines
Wednesday 30th September 2026 on 12:45 in
Austria
Lower Austria has honoured researchers for work spanning brain science, sustainable plastics and migration at a ceremony at the House of Digitalisation in Tulln, ORF reported.
The state has supported outstanding researchers since 1964. This year’s award of recognition went to Georg Danzl of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, whose team developed a technology that can enlarge brain tissue samples 16-fold.
Danzl said the technology brings together physicists, biologists, neuroscientists and computer scientists to make more detailed measurements of biological tissue and its functions.
Georg Gübitz, head of the BOKU University research institute for agricultural biotechnology in Tulln, also received an award of recognition. He has supervised 28 doctoral theses and researches environmentally friendly ways to process polymers, or plastics. Gübitz said biodegradable and recyclable materials could help address microplastic pollution, reduce carbon emissions and support closed-loop production.
Recognition awards also went to Roland Bernhard of the University College of Teacher Education Vienna and Lower Austria, and Maria Ibanez of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria. Further awards were given to MedAustron’s Translational Radiobiology research group, the Medical University of Vienna, and Julia Mourao Permoser of the University for Continuing Education Krems for her research on migration policy.
Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said the state had invested heavily in research and had gained national and international recognition. Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf said researchers must be able to work freely.
The ceremony also included awards for emerging researchers and innovative university teaching. The research awards went to Leona Kohl and Luca Lippert of the University of Vienna, Georg Rabl and Felix Neudecker of BOKU University, and Sophia Steinbacher-Haid, whose doctoral work is connected with TU Wien, Karl Landsteiner University and ICC Water and Health. Isabell Grundschober and Heidrun Mauer received the 2025 award for innovative university teaching for a cooperative learning model built around real challenges from local authorities.