Since my workplace is kind of cool (literally), like -30°C or less, I‘d like to send you some pictures of my outdoor workplace. I am working at the Institute of Ecology in Innsbruck and mainly out in the field to study life in various ice forms like glacial ice in Antarctica. It is inhabited by micro-organisms which are the kings of life since they can survive subzero temperatures. Besides, doing research in Antarctica for months is a perfect school for life. Pictures are taken mainly in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.

My Croatian colleague Iva Rezic and I are watching the dissolution process of a textile dye in water. During the course of a bilateral project on the impact on human health of heavy metals present in and on textile materials, among other things we studied dyes.

We are part of the kon-text team and our field of research/work is urban management and social science. Our workplaces are opposite each other, we share our thoughts, laugh a lot and feel forced to work as if we did not need money, but we enjoy it.

I have chosen to photograph this particular centrifuge in my lab, because it reflects the way we see science and the environment in the lab: we are passionate about science and pursue knowledge to the best of our abilities, but we have chosen to do that in a joyful, optimistic and friendly environment.

KnollSzalai is engaged in gender issues, diversity management and gender mainstreaming concerning landscape, urban and regional planning, environmental consulting, sustainability and technical science. The expert knowledge in the field of planning and technical science is supplemented by the systemic approach and well-established scientific research. KnollSzalai integrates a gender perspective into regional planning policies and scientific systems. KnollSzalai‘s approach is interdisciplinary as well as process and action-orientated.

The photo shows the most important part of my workplace: my primary interface for interaction with my simulation computer (and my left hand). In the background a jug and glass of water are visible - important accessories for keeping healthy with an otherwise quite sedentary lifestyle.

We are mainly concerned with photodynamic therapy for tumours and non-malignant diseases. We are attempting to clarify the modes of action on molecular, cellular and immunological levels. One of our focuses is the investigation of apoptosis (“programmed cell death“ or “cell suicide“).