The Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine has three laboratories that work on research projects and the Division’s research focuses.
Head: Ao. Univ.-Prof. Stefan Winkler
Senior biomedical analyst : Heide Maria Winkler, MA
Employees:
Katharina Schefberger, BSc
Lisa Schneider, BSc
Ap. Prof. Dr.in Selma Tobudic
Assoc.-Prof. PD Dr. Heimo Lagler, MPH
Dr. Manuel Kussmann
Dr. Lorenz Schubert
Dr.in Luzia Veletzky
Head: Assoc.-Prof. PD Dr. Christoph Steininger
Employees:
Marie-Theres Kastner, BMA
Stefan Weinberger, MSc
Sara Ribeiro Barbosa Almendra Lado, BSc, MSc, PhD
Head of CERMEL research centre: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bertrand Lell
The Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) medical research centre at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon, opened in 1980. Prof. Peter Kremser took over as head of the centre in the early 1990s before taking up the post of Director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine at the University of Tübingen.
With support from the Division of Infectious Diseases under the leadership of Prof. Wolfgang Graninger, over the years the Lambaréné facility has grown to become an internationally respected research institute.
It currently has over 150 employees, almost a third of whom are researchers. Many tropical medicine specialists – primarily from the German-speaking countries – have been involved in research projects in Lambaréné since the centre opened.
It focuses on both basic and applied research into major infectious diseases that occur in the local region, in particular malaria – numerous studies on the pathophysiology of severe malaria as well as work on the clinical development of new drugs have been carried out there. For example, CERMEL has participated in the development of experimental malaria vaccines. Lambaréné was also the first centre in Africa where the vaccine against Ebola haemorrhagic fever was tested. CERMEL manages Gabon’s national anti-tuberculosis programme in cooperation with the country’s national health authority and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The centre is fully financed through research grants, with the European Union the most important provider of funding.
The Medical University of Vienna has laid down a marker for internationalisation and research partnerships with Africa through the Chair of Tropical Medicine – the holder is required to carry out research as well as teaching in both Vienna and Lambaréné.
Clinical Practical Year at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon
The Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine offers students the option of completing their CPY in Lambaréné.
With a total of around 150 beds, the Albert Schweitzer Hospital has departments specialised in internal medicine, paediatrics, surgery and obstetrics. It also serves as a training centre for the University of Health Sciences in Libreville.
The international research team at „Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné“ (CERMEL) carries out clinical and epidemiological studies on malaria, schistosomiasis and other infectious diseases.
Students who choose to complete their CPY in Lambaréné spend their mornings in one of the hospital departments and work at CERMEL in the afternoons. The programme is registered with the International Office.
A maximum of 16 weeks can be accredited for the CPY. The Internal Medicine and Paediatrics electives can be completed at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, and the Clinical Pharmacology elective entirely at CERMEL. Confirmation of the internship will be provided by the Libreville University of Health Sciences and/or the Albert Schweitzer Hospital. Students who are interested in performing research for a longer period and/or writing their undergraduate thesis at CERMEL can also arrange a longer stay at the facility.
Basic knowledge of French is required.
For further information, contact:
Prof. Dr. Bertrand Lell: bertrand.lell@meduniwien.ac.at
Dr. Luzia Veletzky: luzia.veletzky@meduniwien.ac.at