Head of Institute at BOKU, Department für Biotechnologie, Institut für Zell- und Gewebekulturtechnologien, Austria
Cornelia Kasper is a renowned professor and researcher in the field of biotechnology, specializing in Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Technology, and Bioprocess Engineering. She earned her Diploma in Chemistry from the University of Hannover in 1994, followed by a Dr. rer. nat. in 1998 for her dissertation on technical chemistry. Kasper later completed her Habilitation on “New approaches in cell culture techniques” at the University of Hannover in 2007, where she was awarded the Venia Legendi in Technical Chemistry. She has since held numerous leadership roles in both academia and research, including Head of the Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering Group at Leibniz University Hannover (2000-2011) and Full Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna since 2011. Her academic journey exemplifies a career built on academic rigor, innovative research, and significant contributions to her field.
Professional Profile
Education
Cornelia Kasper’s educational journey began at the University of Hannover, where she earned a Diploma in Chemistry in 1994. Her academic career then progressed through a Ph.D. in 1998, where she focused on Technical Chemistry at the Institute for Technical Chemistry. During her doctoral studies, she developed expertise in areas like bioprocessing and bioreactor design, which laid the foundation for her later work in Tissue Engineering. Kasper further pursued academic excellence by completing her Habilitation at the University of Hannover in 2007, where she specialized in cell culture technologies and received the Venia Legendi in “Technische Chemie.” This qualification allowed her to teach and supervise PhD students, and it was during this period that she began to deepen her expertise in stem cell research. Her educational background is marked by both theoretical knowledge and practical, cutting-edge research.
Professional Experience
Cornelia Kasper’s professional career spans multiple institutions and leadership roles, demonstrating her influence in the fields of biotechnology and regenerative medicine. After completing her dissertation, she was employed as an EU Liaison Officer at the University of Hannover until 2000. From 2000 to 2011, she led the Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering Group at the Institute for Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover. Her leadership extended to the “Rebirth” Cluster of Excellence, where she headed the Young Researcher Group on “Large Scale Cultivation.” Since 2011, Kasper has been a Full Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), where she is also the Head of the Institute for Cell and Tissue Culture Technologies. Additionally, she has served in several important administrative positions, including Chair of the Equal Opportunity Working Party and Co-Chair of the Doc School “Biomaterials and Interfaces,” shaping both academic policy and research agendas.
Research Interests
Cornelia Kasper’s research is primarily focused on Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Technologies, and Bioprocess Engineering. Her work explores the design and development of bioreactors for large-scale stem cell cultivation, as well as the optimization of cell culture conditions to enhance cell differentiation, expansion, and product development. A key aspect of her research includes the functionalization of biomaterials for use in regenerative therapies, as well as developing new methods for stem cell isolation and characterization. Kasper has made significant contributions to the development of efficient protocols for cell-based assays and therapies, with the ultimate goal of applying these findings in regenerative medicine. Her work aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications, with a focus on scalable, reproducible processes for stem cell manufacturing. Her research also explores the integration of novel technologies to improve cell-based therapy products.
Awards and Honors
Cornelia Kasper has received multiple prestigious awards and honors throughout her career, recognizing her contributions to scientific research and innovation. Her academic achievements began with her doctoral and Habilitation qualifications, which solidified her as a leader in her field. Kasper has been an active member of several influential societies in the field of biotechnology and regenerative medicine, including the Austrian Association of Molecular Life Sciences and Biotechnology (ÖGMBT). Her research has earned her high recognition, including over 180 publications in leading scientific journals and a high h-index of 43 as of 2024. She is also an editor for several respected volumes in the “Advances in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology” series (Springer). In addition, Kasper has been honored with roles such as Chair of the Equal Opportunity Working Party at BOKU and Co-Chair of the Doc School “Biomaterials and Interfaces,” further affirming her leadership in both research and academia.
Conclusion
Cornelia Kasper is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award due to her substantial contributions to Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Technology, and Bioprocessing. Her leadership, impactful research, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists place her among the leaders in her field. While there are areas for further development, particularly in the realm of translational research and cross-disciplinary collaboration, her impressive body of work and ongoing efforts to improve regenerative medicine make her an outstanding candidate for this award.
Publications Top Noted
- Development of a novel high-throughput culture system for hypoxic 3D hydrogel cell culture
- Authors: Egger, D., Baier, L., Moldaschl, J., … Lorber, V., Kasper, C.
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Scientific Reports
- Citations: 1
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- The fluorochrome-to-protein ratio is crucial for the flow cytometric detection of tissue factor on extracellular vesicles
- Authors: Weiss, R., Mostageer, M., Eichhorn, T., … Kasper, C., Weber, V.
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Scientific Reports
- Citations: 2
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- Characterization of MSC Growth, Differentiation, and EV Production in CNF Hydrogels Under Static and Dynamic Cultures in Hypoxic and Normoxic Conditions
- Authors: Nikolits, I., Chariyev-Prinz, F., Egger, D., … Mytzka, N., Kasper, C.
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Bioengineering
- Citations: 0
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- Dynamic cultivation of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for the production of extracellular vesicles in a 3D bioreactor system
- Authors: Almeria, C., Weiss, R., Keck, M., … Kasper, C., Egger, D.
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Biotechnology Letters
- Citations: 1
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- Spheroid trilineage differentiation model of primary mesenchymal stem/stromal cells under hypoxia and serum-free culture conditions
- Authors: Moldaschl, J., Chariyev-Prinz, F., Toegel, S., … Egger, D., Kasper, C.
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
- Citations: 2
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- Kinetics of NK-92 growth and functionality in pseudo-static cultures
- Authors: García Aponte, O.F., Kozma, B., Egger, D., Kasper, C., Herwig, C.
- Year: 2023
- Journal: Biochemical Engineering Journal
- Citations: 1
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- Hydrogels from TEMPO-Oxidized Nanofibrillated Cellulose Support In Vitro Cultivation of Encapsulated Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
- Authors: Nikolits, I., Radwan, S., Liebner, F., … Chariyev-Prinz, F., Kasper, C.
- Year: 2023
- Journal: ACS Applied Bio Materials
- Citations: 7
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- Heterogeneity of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles is highly impacted by the tissue/cell source and culture conditions
- Authors: Almeria, C., Kreß, S., Weber, V., Egger, D., Kasper, C.
- Year: 2022
- Journal: Cell and Bioscience
- Citations: 41
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- Decoding Distinct Ganglioside Patterns of Native and Differentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells by a Novel Glycolipidomics Profiling Strategy
- Authors: Hohenwallner, K., Troppmair, N., Panzenboeck, L., … Egger, D., Rampler, E.
- Year: 2022
- Journal: JACS Au
- Citations: 8
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- Editorial: Advanced cell culture technologies to boost cell-based therapies, volume II
- Authors: Egger, D., Hansmann, J., Kasper, C., Kouroupis, D.
- Year: 2022
- Journal: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
- Citations: 0
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