News

Award for female researchers: University of Graz impresses at the SPIRIT Award

On February 10, 2026, the SPIRIT Award for WOMEN in SCIENCE was presented for the second time—an award for outstanding female researchers in Styria. The winners, including Raquel Gonzalez de Vega from the University of Graz, impressed with innovative projects ranging from the detection of microplastics to revolutionary blood diagnostics.

New AI Method Revolutionises the Design of Enzymes

Researchers at TU Graz and the University of Graz can use the technology to construct artificial biocatalysts. These new enzymes are significantly faster, more stable and more versatile than previous artificial biocatalysts.

Ganz schön sauber: nachhaltige Herstellung von Kunststoffen, Kosmetika und Medikamenten

“Chemical Life”: University of Graz Christmas Chemistry Show Captivates Audience

Festive spirit met scientific fascination as this year’s edition of the Christmas chemistry show “Chemical Life” transformed the stage of the Schauspielhaus into a lively laboratory. School classes and numerous other guests enjoyed an evening of surprising experiments and vivid insights into the chemistry of everyday life.

Bio-plastics and baroque theatre: Awards for two researchers from the University of Graz

Chemist Katalin Barta Weissert received this year's "Forschungspreis des Landes Steiermark", while Germanist Christian Neuhuber received the "Erzherzog-Johann-Forschungspreis". The awards are endowed with 12,000 euros each and are presented for outstanding achievements in the field of science and research. Provincial Councillor Willibald Ehrenhöfer presented the awards on 7 November 2025 in the White Hall of Graz Castle.

From micro to nano: the plastics slipping through our sewage plants

First, the good news: Advance treatment like ozone can break down microplastics in waste water. The catch, as a team from the University of Graz and Med Uni Graz led by chemist Raquel Gonzalez de Vega has discovered: When broken down with the help of ozone, even smaller, persistent nanoparticles are created, which can re-enter the water cycle.

PFAS in honey bees: Insects enable monitoring of pollutants in the environment

PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – have increasingly come under scrutiny in recent years as so-called “forever chemicals”. These artificially produced substances are used in the manufacture of many everyday products. They are harmful to the environment and human health, difficult to break down and accumulate everywhere, in flora, fauna and even in humans. Researchers at the University of Graz have now used honeybees to investigate the occurrence of PFAS at different times and in different land use areas. The study shows that bees and the pollen they collect are ideal for monitoring environmental toxins. The insects absorb the pollutants, allowing conclusions to be drawn about their spatial and seasonal distribution.

From the classroom to the glacier

The University of Graz offers school students unique research experiences on the Dachstein: through experiments, they discover the secrets of glaciers and learn from experts. VR glasses bring glaciers to life in the classroom.