Georg Böhmig
Georg received his MD degree from the University Vienna in 1993. From 1991 to 1996 he was trained at the Institute of Immunology at the Medical University Vienna. Since 1996, he works at the Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, where he obtained licences for internal medicine, nephrology and intensive care medicine; Georg has advanced to associate professor in 2002. Since 2003 he is coordinator of the Vienna kidney transplant wait list, antibody-incompatible kidney transplantation programs, and the Austrian kidney paired donation program.
His major research interest is antibody-mediated transplant rejection. Current projects focus on novel strategies for ex-vivo monitoring of humoral alloresponses and evaluation of “anti-humoral” efficiency of immunoadsorption (crossmatch conversion, rejection treatment, ABO antibody depletion), proteasome inhibition, IL-6 blockade and complement interference (prevention or treatment of ABMR) in organ transplantation.
Georg loves music and since 1991 he plays keyboards in the band “Spargel”.
Gregor Bond
Gregor performed his MD thesis at the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Chemoprevention in Vienna. In 2006 he joined the VIETAC Lab where he completed his PhD within the program for organ failure, replacement and transplantation (POET). He spent 2-years as a post-doctoral fellow at the MRC Centre for Transplantation in London. Gregor works as an associate professor and consultant in internal medicine, nephrology and intensive care medicine at the Division of Nephrology and Dialysis at the Medical University of Vienna. In 2018, he attended a master program in clinical trial design at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London, UK. Since 2019, Gregor coordinates the post-doctoral program POET.
His main research focus is immunologic monitoring via the apathogenic and ubiquitous Torque Teno Virus (TTV) and medical adherence. Since 2021 he coordinates the EU funded 'TTV GUIDE TX' project.
In his free time, Gregor is interested in arts and active in politics. He loves spending time with his family and doing sports, especially skiing and biking.
Konstantin Doberer
Konstantin is a VIETAC member since 2016. He mainly focuses on immunologic monitoring after kidney transplantation. Additionally, he is involved in the evaluation of novel treatment options for high immunologic risk patients with antibody-mediated rejection.
Besides his interests in transplant immunology, he is a passionate skier, loves literature, dancing, food and drinks.
Farsad Eskandary
Farsad completed his MD thesis at the Department of Pharmacology at the Medical University Vienna where he worked in the field of G-protein coupled recpetors such as the Adenosine 2A receptor under supervision of Prof. Jürgen Zezula and Prof. Michael Freissmuth. After his graduation from medical school in 2008, Farsad entered the Vienna Cardiac Tansplant program working with Prof. Andreas Zuckermann later on started a career as a cardiac surgeon in 2010. Between 2011 and 2012 he was also a member of the ventricular assist device unit. In 2012 he changed to the VIETAC Lab and joined a PhD program for organ failure replacement and transplantation. In 2013 he became resident at the department of Nephrology and Dialysis.
His main interests are located in transplant immunology - in particular desensitization strategies in ABO and HLA - incompatible transplantation, acute kidney injury after heart transplantation and age-specific patterns of transplantation.
His free time activities comprise exploring nature, culture, travelling or just relaxing.
Susanne Haindl
Susanne finished her education in Biomedical Science and a Bachelors degree in Biology in Vienna and is a member of the VIETAC Lab since December 2016. As a laboratory technician she is involved in a broad spectrum of basic and translational scientific projects and in constantly training the young members of the team. Since 2001 she has gained her knowledge in molecular biological and biochemical methods in different medical areas of research like hematology, traumatology, children cancer research, osteology and brain research.
For recreation she prefers to spend the time on the water mainly for windsurfing, allowing her to travel and explore new spots. She also gives lessons in stand-up paddle boarding and aerobics.
Bernd Jilma
Bernd received his MD degree from the University of Vienna in 1993, where he was also trained in Clinical Pharmacology and Internal Medicine. He obtained his respective postdoctoral lecture qualifications in 1999 and 2001. He was a visiting professor at UFL form 2005-06. Bernd has gained regulatory experience as a previous member of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP), the Scientific Advice Working Party (SAWP) of the Committee for Human Medicinal Products (CHMP), and as member of the Committee of Advanced Therapies (CAT) of the European Medicines Agency. As a Clinical Pharmacologist he is involved as a Principle Investigator, Steering and Adjudication Committees and Data Safety Monitoring Boards in a broad range of industry sponsored clinical trials.
His major research interest is in the clinical pharmacology of biologicals.
In his spare time Bernd loves to swim and enjoys other sporting activities.
Nicolas Kozakowski
Nicolas studied medicine in Paris, France. After six months as trainee at the Pathology Department of the University Hospital in Reims, he was enabled from October 2004 to work at the Clinical Institute of Pathology at the Medical University of Vienna, thanks to an Ernst Mach research fellowship. After passing the equivalence exams, he began his clinical-diagnostic training in Pathology and Molecular Pathology here in Vienna. He obtained his MD in 2015, with a special focus on nephropathology, trained under the mentoring of Profs. Heinz Regele, Renate Kain and Dontscho Kerjaschki.
His scientific work is concentrated on the histopathology of kidney transplant rejection and particularly humoral rejection.
His free time activities are sports, travelling and cooking.
Jakob Mühlbacher
Jakob graduated at the Medical University of Vienna in the year 2012 after finishing his MD thesis at the Department of Anaesthesiology and General Intensive Care under supervision of Prof. Stephan Kapral. In the same year he started his clinical education at the department of surgery at the Vienna General Hospital. In 2015 he became member of the VIETAC lab performing his PhD thesis within the program for organ failure-, replacement and transplantation.
He cooperates with the department of clinical pharmacology on a first-in-human phase 1 trial evaluating a new inhibitor of the classical pathway of complement.
Jakob is interested in outdoor activities, such as mountaineering, skiing or kayaking, moreover, he likes to play and to listen to music.
Heinz Regele
After obtaining his MD from the Medical University Vienna in 1989, Heinz was trained in anatomic pathology at the Clinical Institute of Pathology, were he is professor of transplant pathology. From 2011 till 2014 he was head of the Department of Pathology at the Innsbruck Medical University. Heinz is specialized in renal pathology and initiated the renal biopsy registry at the Medical University Vienna.
His main scientific focus is antibody-mediated renal allograft rejection, and he has significantly contributed to the establishment of C4d as a diagnostic marker in renal biopsies.
In his holidays Heinz loves to travel through South East Asia. In his spare time he prefers ski touring in the Tyrolean Alps.
Martin Schiemann
Martin completed his MD studies at the Medical University of Vienna (MUV). During his MD thesis, he investigated the efficiency of immunoadsorption for depletion of isoagglutinines in the setting of ABO incompatible kidney transplantation at the Department of Nephrology in Vienna. In 2013 he gained clinical experience at the Department of Nephrology in Nuremberg (University of Erlangen) and started his residency at the Division of Nephrology and Dialysis (Department of Medicine III, MUV) as of 2014. In 2018 he worked as a resident at the Nephrology unit of the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden. In 2019 he started working on his PhD within the Programm for organfailure, -replacement and transplantation (POeT) and dissects the role of the ubiquitouse non-pathogenic Torque Teno virus in kidney transplant recipients.
In his free time he likes sports, cooking and reading.
Robert Strassl
Robert completed his study of medicine at the Medical University of Vienna in 2008. In 2016, he finished his education as a specialist in clinical virology. During this time his main scientific interest focused on antiviral treatment of Hepatitis C and B. In 2016 Robert joined the Department of Nephrology and Dialysis is currently trained as a Nephrologist. Since 2017 he is part of the VIETAC team.
Robert is interested in the role of viral infections in renal transplant patients and their potential role as biomarkers for immunosuppression.
In his free time Robert is interested in music, motorsports and restoration of historic motorcycles.
Markus Wahrmann
Markus is a biochemist by education and underwent lab trainings at the Institute of Medical Chemistry, the Institute of Immunology and the Division of Ultrastructural Pathology and Molecular Biology of the Clinical Institute of Pathology where he performed his PhD thesis. Since 2002 he has been working in the research field of transplantation medicine at the VIETAC Lab. He habilitated in Medical Biochemistry in 2012.
His interest in the complement system dates back when he was starting his scientific career working on complement component C3. Since then his focus of research has moved towards C4 and the classical pathway of complement activation, especially on illuminating its role in antibody-mediated rejection. Furthermore he teaches physiology and pathophysiology of the complement system to post-graduate students.
In his leisure time Markus is interested in running. He is also a dedicated skier, interested in soccer and dancing.
Martina Schatzl
Martina Schatzl is a dedicated PhD candidate currently working in the VIETAC lab, where she is deeply engaged in pioneering research focused on identifying biomarkers in antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). Her work in this specialized field of study is driven by a passion for advancing our understanding of ABMR and contributing to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
In addition to her rigorous academic pursuits, Martina is an enthusiastic outdoorswoman and gourmet enthusiast. She finds a healthy balance between her scientific research and personal interests by indulging in various activities such as swimming, skiing, and biking. These activities not only serve as a physical outlet but also help her maintain mental clarity and resilience in her demanding academic role.
Martina also has a refined palate and enjoys exploring different cuisines, which complements her dynamic lifestyle. Whether it’s tasting new dishes or revisiting classic favorites, good food remains a significant part of her leisure time.
Despite her many successes, Martina has faced her share of disappointments. One such instance was an early competition for the best work-spot in the lab, which she unfortunately did not win.