Molecular biologist Martin Hetzer has been leading the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg since 2023.

Previously he spent roughly two decades in the United States, most recently as vice president of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California. Hetzer is a strong advocate of curiosity-driven and interdisciplinary science. His own research at ISTA focuses on aging.

Markus Wanko is Managing Partner at XISTA Science Ventures and Managing Director of XISTA’s tech transfer and Science Park arms.

With degrees from MIT, HEC Paris, TU and WU Vienna, he brings over 20 years of experience in venture capital, strategy, and principal investing, having held roles at BCG, the European Investment Fund, and QIA. He serves on the boards of AUTM,  Cutanos and Ribbon Biolabs.

Eva-Maria Holzleitner shapes equality and science policy as Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research.

She focuses on fair pay, women’s safety, strong higher education and freedom of science and research, drawing on experience in parliament and social economics.

Fotocredit: Andy Wenzel/ BKA

Georg Knill is President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV). With over 30 years of global manufacturing and corporate governance experience, the entrepreneur Georg Knill has risen through the ranks of the IV since 2001, previously serving as President of IV Styria. He serves as Managing Partner of the Knill Group and Chairman and board member for enterprises, including Rosendahl Nextrom and Borouge Group.

Jens Nielsen is CEO of the BioInnovation Institute (BII), where he drives translational research and the creation of new life science spin-outs.

A biochemical engineer by training, he has held professorships at Chalmers and DTU, co-founded the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, and launched six biotech companies. An inventor on over 50 patents, he serves on 13 academies.

Katja Rosenkranz is Partner at V-Bio Ventures with more than 20 years experience at the intersection of life science innovation and venture capital. Her expertise spans company creation, early-stage financing, board governance, and technology transfer — with a track record of building biotech companies from concept to successful fundraising and beyond.

Elly Tanaka is Scientific Director of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, and recipient of Wittgenstein Award, Ernst Schering Prize, and Schleiden Medal.

She brings extensive leadership experience from past professorships and group leader roles at the TU Dresden and Max Planck Institute and IMP, is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, and serves as President of the International Society for Developmental Biology.

Professor Manuela Baccarini is Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs and Deputy of the Rector at the University of Vienna, as well as Professor of Cell Signaling at the Max Perutz Labs.

She brings extensive executive experience from past roles as Vice-Dean and Director of  Vienna BioCenter and joint university doctoral schools. She is an elected member of EMBO and the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Michaela Fritz is Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at the Medical University of Vienna, where she shapes strategy across translational and  clinical research, innovation, and international partnerships.

A scientist by training, she has held leading roles at AIT, LISA, AWS, and Infineon, and serves on boards including the European Forum Alpbach and the European University Alliance Expert Group.

Maria Rescigno is Scientific Director at the Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Full Professor and group leader at Humanitas University.

A leading immunologist and founder of the biotech spin-off Postbiotica, she is has received several awards, serves on multiple scientific and corporate boards, and has authored more than 200 publications in high impact journals