About Graz University of Technology

Prof. Bernd Deutschmann, Head of the Institute of Electronics at Graz University of Technology, is a renowned expert in Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Microelectronics. With M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in telecommunication engineering from Graz University of Technology, Deutschmann's career spans both industry and academia. He spent eight years at Infineon Technologies AG's Automotive Power EMC Center before joining Graz University of Technology as a Full Professor in 2014. Deutschmann's research focuses on improving EMC of integrated circuits for automotive power applications, resulting in several patents and numerous publications. As Institute Head, he has expanded research areas, modernized teaching methods, and fostered industry connections through events like "The Silicon Valley of Austria." He also co-directs a research lab with Silicon Austria Labs on EMC of electronics-based systems. Deutschmann's work exemplifies the synergy between academic research and industry applications in microelectronics and EMC, contributing significantly to advancements in automotive electronics and EMC technologies.

Dr. David Pommerenke, a Fellow of IEEE and Professor at Graz University of Technology, is a renowned expert in Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). With a Diploma and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Technical University Berlin, Pommerenke's career spans industry and academia. After five years at Hewlett Packard, he joined the EMC Laboratory at Missouri University of Science and Technology before moving to Graz University of Technology in 2020. His research focuses on system-level ESD, electronics, numerical simulations, EMC measurement methods, and instrumentation. As an Associated Editor for IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Pommerenke contributes significantly to the field's academic discourse. His work bridges theoretical research with practical applications, addressing critical challenges in EMC and ESD across various electronic systems. With numerous publications, patents, and industry collaborations, Pommerenke continues to shape the future of EMC and ESD research and education, fostering innovation in both academic and industrial settings.

Ko Odreitz, a university assistant at the Institute of Electronics at Graz University of Technology, is an up-and-coming researcher and educator in the field of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Having earned his master's degree in electrical engineering from the same institution in 2021, Odreitz is now pursuing advanced research under the guidance of renowned EMC experts Bernd Deutschmann and David Pommerenke. His work focuses on various aspects of EMC, contributing to the institute's cutting-edge research in this critical area of electrical engineering. In addition to his research responsibilities, Odreitz has demonstrated his commitment to education by creating and teaching the edX course "Electromagnetic Compatibility Essentials" for Graz University of Technology. This course likely aims to provide students and professionals with fundamental knowledge in EMC, reflecting Odreitz's ability to bridge theoretical concepts with practical applications in the field. As a young researcher and educator, Odreitz represents the next generation of EMC specialists, working at the intersection of academic research and practical engineering education.

Dr. Isabella Aigner is the Head of External Education and Outreach at the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE), bringing extensive experience in pharmaceutical process engineering to her role. With a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Technology in Vienna and postdoctoral work at the University of Western Ontario, Dr. Aigner has built a career bridging academic research and industrial applications. Prior to her current position, she spent six years as a senior scientist at RCPE, focusing on continuous manufacturing processes, particularly drying technologies. Her industry experience as a process engineer in chemical manufacturing adds practical depth to her academic expertise. Dr. Aigner's research contributions include significant works on industrial-scale continuous vacuum drying of pharmaceutical ingredients, continuous operation concepts for tablet presses, and methodologies for comparing continuous and batch processes in early-stage decision-making. In her current role since 2021, she leads initiatives to expand educational outreach and foster collaboration between academia and industry in pharmaceutical engineering, leveraging her diverse background to advance both research and practical applications in the field.

Prof. Johannes G. Khinast is a leading figure in pharmaceutical engineering, serving as the Head of the Institute of Process and Particle Engineering at Graz University of Technology and Scientific Director of the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE). His research focuses on process simulation, pharmaceutical process engineering, and particle technology, with a particular emphasis on continuous manufacturing processes. Khinast has secured over 80 million Euros in funding and collaborated extensively with pharmaceutical and equipment companies to implement novel technologies. His impressive academic output includes supervising more than 40 Ph.D. students and PostDocs, authoring over 300 peer-reviewed publications and 8 book chapters, and holding 11 patents in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Key works include research on continuous mixing technology, a comprehensive book on Continuous Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals, and forward-looking publications on the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing sciences. Through his multifaceted roles in research, industry collaboration, and academic leadership, Prof. Khinast continues to shape the field of pharmaceutical engineering, driving innovation in manufacturing processes and technologies.

Dr. Michela Beretta is a Senior Scientist at the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) in Austria, specializing in powder technology and process development for the pharmaceutical industry. With a background in chemical engineering, including a Master's degree from the University of L'Aquila in Italy and a PhD from Graz University of Technology in Austria, Beretta leads the powder technology group within RCPE's "Process and Manufacturing Science" area. Her research focuses on material science, powder processability, and process development, contributing to advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques. While specific information about courses or programs taught by Beretta is not provided in the given context, her role as a Senior Scientist likely involves mentoring junior researchers, collaborating on industry projects, and potentially contributing to educational initiatives within RCPE or affiliated institutions to share her expertise in powder technology and pharmaceutical process development.

Dr. Jakob Rehrl, a Dipl.-Ing. Dr. at the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE), is a leading expert in process control and optimization for pharmaceutical manufacturing. With a background in modeling and control of complex HVAC systems, Rehrl transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry in 2014, where he now leads the control strategy group at RCPE. His work focuses on developing and implementing advanced control strategies, particularly model predictive control (MPC), for continuous pharmaceutical processes such as fluid bed granulation, drying, hot melt extrusion, and tableting. Rehrl's research contributions include end-point prediction methods for granule moisture, improving pellet quality through PID control and LOLIMOT-based MPC, and optimizing continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing via model-predictive control. His expertise spans from theoretical modeling and simulation to practical implementation of control systems in real-world manufacturing environments, making him a key figure in advancing the efficiency and quality of pharmaceutical production processes.

Dr. Daniel Gruss, an Associate Professor at Graz University of Technology, is a renowned expert in cybersecurity, specializing in side-channel and transient execution attacks. Completing his PhD with distinction in under three years, Gruss has made significant contributions to the field, including implementing Rowhammer.js, the first remote fault attack running on a website, and being part of the team that discovered the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities in 2018. His research focuses on identifying and mitigating hardware-level security vulnerabilities, with his work on software patches against Meltdown now integrated into most operating systems. As the leader of the Secure Systems group at Graz University of Technology, Gruss continues to advance the field through his research, teaching, and frequent speaking engagements at top international venues. His extensive publication record and involvement in teaching operating systems courses since 2010 underscore his commitment to both advancing cybersecurity research and educating the next generation of security experts.