Seven researchers from the University of Vienna have been named among the world’s most-cited scientists for 2024, representing a range of disciplines.

The scholars are based across several prominent institutions, including the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, the Faculty of Life Sciences, the Faculty of Computer Science, the Centre for Molecular Biology, and the Cognitive Science Research Network.

Franz Essl focuses on the ecological impact of global change, with a particular interest in invasive species and biodiversity loss. Arndt von Haeseler applies artificial intelligence in bioinformatics to study evolutionary patterns and analyse genomic data. Georg Hoffmann examines the connections between nutrition, metabolic syndrome and biomarkers for obesity and cancer. Andreas Richter researches climate change ecology, investigating the role of microorganisms in nutrient cycles. Michael Wagner specialises in microbial ecology, including the discovery of Comammox bacteria, which play a key role in the nitrogen cycle. Wolfgang Wanek studies plant-soil-microbe interactions, focusing on their responses to climate change and land use. Finally, Mathew P. White explores how natural environments influence mental health and resilience through ecological public health initiatives.

The inclusion of these researchers highlights the University of Vienna’s strong contribution to global science and innovation.