International Day of Women and Girls in Science

MCI female researchers are brought in front of the curtain

February 11 was declared the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by the UN General Assembly in 2015. On this day, the important roles of women and girls in science should be highlighted. That's why we asked three female researchers at MCI to introduce themselves and explain why they are passionate about science:

Prof. (FH) Dr. techn. Angela Hofmann is professor for process engineering and renewable energies and is leading Tyrol's first Josef Ressel Center at MCI since September 2020, a research center that deals with the production of activated carbon from municipal residues and its application in wastewater treatment. The focus of the research activities is on the one hand the investigation of municipal raw material potentials and the possibilities of converting them - in addition to electricity and heat - into high-quality activated carbon. On the other hand, the use of activated carbon, especially in wastewater treatment to remove micropollutants such as drug residues or environmental toxins (e.g. pesticides and herbicides), is another research focus. For Angela Hofmann, the motivation to be active in research lies in a fundamental curiosity and the joy of looking for new, innovative solutions to problems in environmental and energy technology. This activity gives her the opportunity to be creative, to think outside the box and – by the connection with teaching - to be able to work with young, committed people.

Verena Wiedemair, Ph.D. works as a teaching and research assistant at the Department of Food Technology & Nutrition at MCI. For little over a year now, she investigates and teaches subjects related to food chemistry. Her main research focuses are the analysis of micronutrients in various foods, the acceleration of analysis of food macromolecules by implementing non-destructive methods and upcycling of waste materials from the food industry.

Verena Wiedemair decided to become a researcher because it gives her the opportunity to explore and deepen her knowledge on fascinating topics. Additionally, a career in research constantly present new challenges and encourages creative thinking.

The desire to find and conquer new challenges also lead to Verena Wiedemair to applying for an international research stay. Beginning in late summer, the young scientist will investigate the rancidity process of foods on a molecular level at the Japanese research institute NARO. During her stay, she will focus on exploring how various molecular classes interact during rancidification and on the analysis of these interactions using non-destructive methods.

Prof. Dr. habil Anita Zehrer is Head of the Family Business Center at the MCI. Through research, education and continuing education, the Family Business Center helps family owners to sustainably maintain and further increase their economic strength.  Her research focuses on entrepreneurial challenges of family entrepreneurs, e.g. currently she studies the effects of external shocks such as COVID-10 on the resilience of family firms, the measurement of socio-economic sustainability, as well as prerequisites for risk management in small family firms. For Anita, it’s not only important to academically publish her research, but also to practically implement research results in family firms. She also highlights research-based teaching and resulting benefits of applied research insights for students.

Angela Hofmann
Professor Department Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering
Head of Josef Ressel Center
+43 512 2070 – 3228
angela.hofmann@mci.edu

Verena Wiedemair
Teaching & Research Assistant Department Food Technology & Nutrition
+43 512 2070 – 3827
verena.wiedemair@mci.edu

Anita Zehrer
Professor Department Tourism & Leisure Business
Head of Family Business Center
+43 512 2070 – 7110
anita.zehrer@mci.edu