Friederike Pohlin, MSc, PhD - Introduction to the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Vetmeduni Vienna
I am currently a wildlife veterinarian and post doc researcher at the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. I completed my veterinary degree at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna followed by an MSc degree in Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna. At the same time I did an internship in Wildlife Conservation Medicine at the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic and worked in mixed and small animal practice for two years. I recently completed my PhD with the University of Pretoria where I investigated the physiological responses to capture and transport in black and white rhinoceroses and am enrolled in a residency in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia with the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. My interests include wildlife anaesthesia, rescue and critical care as well as conservation physiology.
Annika Posautz, DVM - Wildlife pathology – what the dead can teach the living
Originating from Sweden, I moved to Vienna in 2003 to study. I graduated in 2009 with Conservation Medicine as my major in the last year of university. Having been able to do my externships not only in mixed animal clinics, but also in zoos, I started working at the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology in the Conservation Medicine group as a wildlife pathologist in 2009. Beside my work as pathologist my areas of research are mainly zoonotic diseases as well as neurodegenerative disorders (mainly amyloidosis). Since 2017 I organize the focus point “Conservation Medicine” at the university, in which I am also part of the lecturer-team.
Dr. med. vet.Pamela Burger, - Genomic research contribution towards in-situ conservation of wild two-humped camels (Camelus ferus)
As veterinarian and population geneticist I am interested in the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of domestic animals and their wild relatives. In my group we trace the domestication history of Old World camelids and investigate their evolutionary relationship and hybridization with the critically endangered wild two-humped camels (Camelus ferus) in Mongolia and China. Contrary to other highly selected livestock breeds the domestication of the “multi-purpose” camel has taken a fundamentally different course, with little selection for traits other than tameness and tolerance of humans. Linking archaeological and ethological observations with the newly available genomic techniques represents an interesting challenge. Another project focuses on the evolutionary history of African and Asiatic cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and their genetic differentiation into subspecies. Cheetahs are interesting ‘model organisms’ due to their comparatively low variability at the MHC-II complex. In addition, we investigate phylogeography and adaptation to a changing environment in the endangered Caspian whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius) in the Balkan. With my research I aim to contribute to the in-situ conservation of endangered wild species; and to add to the knowledge about one of the most promising livestock species, Arabian and Asian camels, in regions with increasing desertification.
Sylvain GIROUD, MSc PhD - Energy managements of wild heterothermic species: ecological and evolutionary prospects
I am an Ecological Physiologist with a strong interest in Evolution. In an evolutionary perspective, I am interested in understanding how animals cope with predictable and unpredictable changes of their environment, and how this relates to their survival and fitness. In this context, I am fascinated by heterothermic species that have adapted to all type of environment and represent an exceptional opportunity to investigate animals’ adaptations. By using a comparative physiology approach, I specifically study animal species that employ different forms of hypometabolism, such as daily torpor, i.e. reduction of metabolic rate and body temperature on a daily basis, or hibernation, i.e. series of multi-days/weeks torpor during several months in winter. My research combines integrative, longitudinal, comparative and multidisciplinary approaches, from the whole organism down to cellular/molecular aspects, in order to provide basic research with new data to help addressing major environmental concerns, such as global changes.
Richard Zink, PhD - Reintroduction of the ural owl in Austria
I have a broad interest in ecology and conservation biology. My focus in ornithology lies on restauration ecology, species monitoring and conservation projects. I am also interested in Citizen Science and science communication as such.