About us
Get to know the EB Research Institute
The aim the institute is to pioneer innovative approaches to treating Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) - we are dedicated to improving lives of people living with EB by transitioning research and development into novel therapies.
Our dedicated team of scientists, innovators, and industry experts combines cutting-edge knowledge with a shared passion for advancing treatments, working collaboratively to develop solutions that improve lives of people living with EB and shape the future of EB diagnostic and treatment options.
Building on 20 years of EB expertise
EB research in Salzburg began in 1992 at the Department of Dermatology, LKH University Hospital. The founding of DEBRA Austria in 1995 and the opening of the EB House Austria in 2005 laid the groundwork for todayās internationally recognized center of expertise.
Over the years, Salzburg has become a leading hub for EB care and research, advancing new treatments for skin cancer, wound healing, and inflammation.
Building on this foundation, the EB Research Institute, established in 2024 and operational since 2025, drives innovation from basic science to drug discoveryāwith a clear mission to develop better therapies and improve life for people living with Epidermolysis bullosa.
Executive Board
Dr. Hana Cernecka, PharmD
Managing Director EB Research Institute
Dr. Rainer Riedl
Managing Director EB Research Institute | Chairman & Managing Director DEBRA AustriaBiobank
Christina Guttmann-Gruber, PhD
Biobank Manager
Stefan Hainzl, PhD
Biobanking Specialist
Bernadette Liemberger, PhD
Biobanking Specialist
Verena Moos, MSc
Scientific AssociateResearch
Michael Ablinger, MSc
Senior Scientific Associate
Marina Barros-Pinkelnig, MSc
Senior Scientific Associate
Johannes Bischof, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Stefanie Gruner, BSc
Scientific Associate
Markus Hierl, BA MSc
Research Scientist
Assoc.-Prof. Thomas Kocher, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Assoc.-Prof. Ulrich Koller, PhD
Principal Investigator
Michael Lew, MSc
Senior Scientific Associate / Bioinformatics
Krisztina Ćtvƶs, PhD
Research Scientist
Josefina Piñón Hofbauer, PhD
Preclinical Model Specialist
Victoria Reichl, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Lara Ronacher, BA MSc
Scientific Associate
Lena Schmid, BSc
Scientific Associate
Daniela Stoica-Andrei, PhD
PostDoc
Monika Wimmer, PhD
Research Scientist - currently on maternity leave