Pioneer award 2025                          Dr Urban Besenfelder

Urban Besenfelder is Professor at the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics at the University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna. He has set himself the task of investigating the development of early embryonic stages in more detail and making it accessible to science and practice. In addition to rabbits, he has also worked with sheep, goats, pigs and cattle. Early embryonic development has been examined from various levels in numerous collaborative studies. the main focus was on providing biomedical models and investigating early embryonic development in the context of fertility and reproduction of these species.

A major research area was dedicated to bovine fertility, mainly comparing in vivo vs in vitro embryo development, examining the effect of milk performance and hormonal influences. As these embryo stage mainly develop in the oviduct, it was particular concern to technically establish and finally provide a routine access to the Fallopian tube via the use of transvaginal endoscopy as a minimally invasive approach.

His work in scientific fields is characterized by numerous international collaborations and networks, which have resulted in a wide range of publications, lectures and supervision of doctoral students. His longstanding experience in dealing with animals for science, research and teaching have contributed to his participation in commissions of the University of Veterinary Medicine, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research and the Austrian Veterinary Chamber.

Dr Besenfelder will present his talk entitled "Insights into early embryonic development: a personal assessment based on 30 years of experience."