The European Society for Artificial Organs brings together scientists from numerous European countries who conduct research in the field of artificial organ technologies. At the ESAO General Assembly on 10 September 2021, the presidency was handed over to Prof Viktoria Weber. During her two-year presidency, Weber's plans include promoting young scientists and increasing collaboration with other professional societies, the clinical sector, and companies.
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As Viktoria Weber explains, the ESAO brings together pioneers in the field of artificial organ development who, in addition to scientific expertise, also share a high level of life experience. Thus, her presidency’s goal, as Weber points out, is to make the ESAO a place in which not only individual disciplines can exchange ideas, but also to cultivate communication between generations. With the Young ESAO, the society has a very active sub-organization. Young scientists are being promoted through the announcement of research awards, the awarding of mobility grants, and special event formats such as winter schools. Further goals of her presidency include to strengthen cooperation with other international professional societies, including TERMIS and the ESOT in particular, with which cooperation agreements have already been signed, and to deepen collaboration with clinical partners and companies, which is necessary for transferring new procedures into clinical application, Weber said. For this purpose, the monthly webinars initiated in 2021 are already a proven format.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Viktoria Weber leitet an der Universität für Weiterbildung Krems das Department für Biomedizinische Forschung und ist Vizerektorin für Forschung und Nachhaltige Entwicklung. Die Wahl zur Präsidentin der ESAO erfolgte bereits bei deren Generalversammlung 2019.
Prof Viktoria Weber heads the Department for Biomedical Research at the University for Continuing Education Krems and is Vice-Rector for Research and Sustainable Development. She has already been elected President of the ESAO at its General Assembly 2019.
About ESAO
Founded in 1974, the European Society for Artificial Organs coordinates and supports research in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for the development of artificial organs with the aim of organ support, organ regeneration or organ replacement. Further tasks are promoting young scientists and contributing to the creation of ethical and regulatory guidelines of the European Union.
