06/10/2017

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Michael Brainin from Danube University Krems was awarded the Honorary Prize of the Federal Province of Lower Austria at the Science Gala held on the evening of 5 October. The pioneer of so-called stroke units in hospitals received first prize for his scientific work, which is far beyond regional importance. In addition, next-generation scientist Birgit Fendl, BSc, was also awarded a prize for her Master thesis.

Honorary Prize Brainin

Prof. Michael Brainin, professor of clinical neurosciences at Danube University Krems, received the award from the Province of Lower Austria for his significant scientific achievements. Provincial Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner presented the awards at the Lower Austria Science Gala held in Schloss Grafenegg.

Pioneer of the Austrian Stroke-Unit-System
Prof. Brainin, who has published more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, devotes his research to cerebrovascular diseases including acute therapy, recovery and cognition. Brainin heads the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Preventive Medicine at Danube University Krems and - until the end of 2016 - led the department of clinical neurology at the University Clinic Tulln. In these functions he was a pioneer in establishing stroke unit systems in Austria, and mainly in Lower Austria. Brainin built the first such facility in 1997 at the Gugging clinic for nervous diseases; today, there are 39 facilities in all of Austria. According to Brainin (who is considered one of the two founders of stroke unit systems) the stroke units have saved many lives and prevented disabilities under the banner of “Time is Brain.” Austria counts as one of the best stroke care countries in the world.

Dedicated to treating stroke around the world
Michael Brainin is one of the two Senior Editors of the international journal „Stroke,“ the most important publication in stroke research. He has been chairman of the Education Committee of the World Stroke Organization (WSO) since 2008, for which he helped develop continuing education programs in many countries all over the world. From 2012 to 2014, Brainin was President of the European Stroke Organization; as president-elect, Brainin will head the World Stroke Organization from 2018 to 2020. Through these positions, and backed by numerous lectures and invitations around the world, Prof. Brainin was able to draw international attention to Lower Austria’s outstanding stroke treatment systems. Brainin has received numerous honorary doctorates and memberships from France to Italy, an honorary professorship from Cluj University, Romania, as well as many awards, among them the Romanian Marinescu Award 2015.

At Danube University Krems, Prof. Brainin directs a variety of university courses, for example the European Master in Stroke Medicine. Thanks to his teaching and research work, the Department has become an international hub for academic qualifications in stroke medicine.

Brainin obtained his medical degree in 1976 from the University of Vienna, and in 1983 completed his education as a neurologist and psychiatrist. His research activities took him abroad, for example as visiting researcher at the Neurological Institute of Columbia University, New York, and the National Institute of Health in Maryland, USA. In 1991 he qualified as a professor of neurology at the University of Vienna. Brainin has been working at Danube University Krems since 1998, where he was appointed professor of clinical neurology in 2005.

Next-generation scientist Fendl awarded „Wissen schaf[f]t Zukunft“ prize
DI Birgit Fendl, BSc, research assistant and PhD student at the Center for Biomedical Technology at Danube University Krems, was awarded the „Wissen schaf[f]t Zukunft“ prize for her master thesis about microvesicle research. The prize honors high-quality scientific achievements by young people at the beginning of their scientific careers.

Honorary Prize Brainin

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