Prof. Dr. Harald Schöbel, BSc

Biophotonics & Biotechnology +43 512 2070 - 3837 harald.schoebel@mci.edu

Professional work experience

10/2024 - present
Prof. Biophotonics & Biotechnology - MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®
01/2019 - 10/2024
Senior Lecturer - Biotechnology & Food Engineering - MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®
08/2015 - 12/2018
Lecturer Biotechnology & Food Engineering - MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®
09/2011 - 07/2015
Senior Optical Design Engineer - Swareflex GmbH
Development of optical systems based on LED-technology; development of test procedures and methods for LED degradation and reliability; project leader OLED
03/2011 - 08/2011
PostDoc - University of Innsbruck - group Nano- and Biophysics
Realization of a laser induced acoustic desorption source for large biomolecules

Education

01/2009 - 12/2010
Johns Hopkins University, USA
Scientific Stay in the group of Prof. Kit Bowen
01/2008 - 12/2012
BSc - University of Innsbruck
Bachelor programme Management and Economics
01/2008 - 12/2011
Dr. - University of Innsbruck
PhD programme at the Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics
01/2002 - 12/2007
Mag. - University of Innsbruck
Diploma programme Physics
01/1996 - 12/2001
HTL Fulpmes
Technical school for mechanical engineering

Teaching (faculty internships etc.)

03/2022 - 07/2022
University of Innsbruck
VO Special topics in AMO physics - Physics in Life-Sciences
11/2014 - present
MCI - Management Center Innsbruck
lecture: Science Basic Courses, Engineerung Physics, Biophysics, Mathematics, Biostatistics; laboratory: Engineerung Physics; exercises: Engineerung Physics
01/2009 - 12/2011
University of Innsbruck
lecture: Nano- and Clusterphysics; exercises: Kerne und Teilchen; advanced laboratory course

Practice related research and developmental project

04/2025 - present
Project Leader (MCI) - Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
TerAGuard
01/2025 - present
Project Leader - Kommunalkredit Public Consulting GmbH
KLEAN WATER
04/2024 - present
Project Leader - Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
BIOcubed
03/2022 - present
Project Leader (MCI) - K-Regio Standortagentur Tirol
SUPREMEbyNANO
08/2021 - 08/2024
project leader (MCI) - Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
innovative in-can preservation for paints and coatings (InCanPres)
04/2020 - 03/2022
Project Leader - Tiroler Innovationsförderung
Development of UV-C disinfection systems
08/2019 - 09/2023
Project Leader (MCI) - FWF - Der Wissenschaftsfonds
Photo-activated Defense Strategies in Fungi
02/2019 - 06/2020
Project Leader - Tiroler Wissenschaftsförderung TWF
Improved sun protection by alpine algae
01/2018 - 03/2021
project leader (MCI) - EFRE K-Regio
FAENOMENAL
01/2018 - 12/2019
project staff - Talente regional - FFG
Educational project "Schlaue Luxe"

Competitive Research Award

01/2022 - 12/2022
Award from the Eduard-Wallnöfer-Stiftung der Tiroler Industrie
for the work on "improved lifespan without thermal preservation"
01/2019 - 12/2019
Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
Ars Docendi Shortlist - Nominierung for excellent teaching in higher education
01/2017 - 12/2017
Award from the Eduard-Wallnöfer-Stiftung der Tiroler Industrie
for the work on "enhanced sun protection by alpine algae"
01/2012 - 12/2012
Promotio sub auspiciis Praesidentis rei publicae
conferment of a doctorate by the president of Austria Dr. Heinz Fischer
01/2011 - 12/2011
Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF)
honorary prize BMWF

Further education & Training

2023 - 2023
FHK – Austrian Association of Universities of Applied Sciences
University didactic II
2023 - 2023
FHK – Austrian Association of Universities of Applied Sciences
ChatGPT in teaching
2020 - 2020
FHK – Austrian Association of Universities of Applied Sciences
University didactic
2010 - 2010
University of Innsbruck
Hochschuldidaktische Basisqualifikation

Other

02/2009 - 12/2009
University of Innsbruc
scholarship for short scientific mission abroad
02/2008 - 12/2009
Österreichischen Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft mbH (FFG)
Forschung macht Schule, Forschung macht Schule - Generation Innovation Supervision of pupils and project leader of Innovationspraktika
02/2007 - 12/2007
The Onassis Foundation Science Lecture Series
scholarship
02/2003 - 12/2006
University of Innsbruck
Award for Academic Excellence (2003, 2004, 2006)

Peer reviewed journal article

M. Mutschlechner, D. Chiste, D. Hauptmann and H. Schöbel. Ultraviolet (Spot)light on Water Treatment: Targeting Inactivation Efficiency and Stress Responses of Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Using UV-B and UV-C LEDs. Water 16 (2024) https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142028
L. Colleselli, M. Mutschlechner, M. Spruck, F. Albrecht, O. I. Strube, P. Vrabl, S. Zeilinger and H. Schöbel. Light-mediated biosynthesis of size-tuned silver nanoparticles using Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering (2024) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-024-03060-x
M. Mutschlechner and H. Schöbel. Illuminating Life Sciences: A Biophysical Guide to the Use of Chromatic and White Light Sources in Photobiology. Photonics 11(6), 487 (2024) https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11060487
M. Mutschlechner, D. Chiste and H. Schöbel. Breaking the Mold: Towards Rapid and Cost-Effective Microbial Contamination Detection in Paints and Cosmetics Using ATP-Bioluminescence. Appl. Microbiol, 4, 2, 582–593 (2024) https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol4020040
Mutschlechner, M., Walter, A., Bach, K. and Schöbel, H.: Beyond Cultivation: Combining Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Techniques to Identify Bacteria Involved in Paint Spoilage. Coatings 13, 1055 (2023) https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13061055
A. Walter and H. Schöbel. Shed light on photosynthetic organisms: a physical perspective to correct light measurements. Photosynthesis Research 156, p325-336 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-023-01001-5
H. Schöbel, G. Diem, J. Kiechl, D. Chistè, G. Bertacchi, A. Mayr, D. Wilflingseder, C. Lass-Flörl & W. Posch. Antimicrobial efficacy and inactivation kinetics of a novel LED based UV-irradiation technology. Journal of Hospital Infection 135, p11-17 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2022.12.023
M. Mutschlechner, A. Walter, L. Colleselli, C. Griesbeck & H. Schöbel. Enhancing carotenogenesis in terrestrial microalgae by UV-A light stress. J Appl Phycol (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02772-5
J. Fiala, H. Schöbel, P. Vrabl, D. Dietrich, F. Hammerle, D.J. Artmann, R. Stärz, U. Peintner, B. Siewert. A New High-Throughput-Screening-Assay for Photoantimicrobials Based on EUCAST Revealed Unknown Photoantimicrobials in Cortinariaceae. Frontiers in Microbiology Vol 12/703544 (2021) doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.703544

Peer reviewed academic/professional meeting proceedings

H. Schöbel, Microorganisms in the LED Spotlight: Light-Assisted Biosynthesis of Valuable Substances, The International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Islamabad, Pakistan 2025
J. Fiala, M. Batlogg, K. Buchauer, F. Hammerle, T. May, U. Peintner, H. Schöbel, P. Vrabl, B. Siewert. Australian fungi in the genus Cortinarius as a source for new photosensitizers. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy 41 103368 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103457

Presentation of a paper at a conference, workshop or seminar

H. Schöbel, Applied (Alpine) Biotechnology Research, European Summit of Industrial Biotechnology (ESIB), Graz 2024
H. Schöbel. Physics in Life Sciences: LED applications in Biophotonics and Nano-biotechnology, XVI Summer School on Advanced Biotechnology Swiss BioteCHnet / ULYSSEUS SUMMER SCHOOL ON FOOD, BIOTECHNOLOGY & CIRCULAR ECONOMY, MCI, Innsbruck 2022
H. Schöbel. Desinfektion mit UV-C LED Licht: In Theorie und Praxis, Vortragsveranstaltung der SEPAWA® Fachgruppe Professionelle Reinigung und Pflege „Zurück in die Zukunft. Es wird wieder grün – digitale und ökologische Reinigung“
H. Schöbel. LED based UVGI - using UV-C LED technology for surface and air disinfections, International Day of Electrician, Association of Polish Electrical Engineers (SEP), 2021
H. Schöbel. Virensichere Produktion & virensichere Veranstaltungen, Nationale Clusterplattform, Bundesministerium Digitalisierung und Wirtschaftsstandort, 2021
H. Schöbel. LED based UVGI - using UV-C LED technology for surface and air disinfections, Light and Lighting from East to West, The Society of Electrical, Electronic and Energy Engineers in Israel - The Israeli Committee of Illuminating Engineering – CIE Israel, 2021

Supervised bachelor theses

Schöpf Yolanda (2025): Kombinierte Anwendung von UVA- und UVC-LEDs zur Inaktivierung von Mikroorganismen im Bereich der Wasserversorgung
Petrovic Raphael (2024): Synergistische Wirkung von UVA- und UVC-Strahlung auf die Inaktivierung von Mikroorganismen
Karl Felix (2023): Einfluss von Licht auf die Partikelgröße von biosynthetisierten Metall-Nanopartikel unter Verwendung von Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Hauptmann Daniel (2023): Inaktivierung von Mikroorganismen in der Lebensmittelindustrie durch UV-Strahlung
Chisté Daniela (2021): Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Nanotechnologie im Bereich des Bone Tissue Engineerings - Techniken und Verfahren zur Oberflächenmodifikation und deren potentielle Anwendungen.
Strasser Simon (2020): Potenzielle Anwendungen von Nanotechnologie in Life Sciences
Hiller Sandro (2020): Zweckorientierte Synthese und Analyse von Kohlenstoffnanokugeln
Mullaymeri Andja (2020): Antibakterielle Eigenschaften von Nanooberflächen - Methoden zur Herstellung und zum Nachweis
Staudinger Lotte (2019): Etablierte Methoden und standardisierte Tests zur Überprüfung der Toxizität von Nanoteilchen
Kindl Franziska (2019): Steigerung der Synthese von Sekundärmetaboliten in alpinen Mikroalgen durch UV-Bestrahlung und weitere Stressfaktoren
Heider Philipp (2018): Grundlagen und Methodik zur Beurteilung / Herstellung der Rechtskonformität von (verfahrens)technischen Betriebsanlagen

Supervised master theses

Chisté Daniela (2023): Establishment and validation of a viablility assay to quantify bacterial cells in complex matrices
Weber Marlene (2022): Untersuchung der Auswirkung von gepulsten elektrischen Felder auf die Aktivität von lebensmittelrelevanten Mikroorganismen, sowie dessen potentielle Anwendung in der Lebensmittelindustrie
Colleselli Lucia (2021): Enhanced production of carotenoids and polyphenols in terrestrial microalgae by inducing UV light stress
Kuhn Alisa (2021): Investigation of bactericidal effects of UV-C LED irradiation on E. coli and L.innocua and possible applications in the food industry
Flatscher Sarah (2020): Evaluation of the biocompatibility of surfaces coated with gold nanoparticles
Müller Flora (2020): Analyse UV-bestrahlter Mikroalgen hinsichtlich lebensmittelrelevanter, antioxidativer Sekundärmetaboliten mittels Hochleistungs-Flüssigchromatographie
Brustolon Deniz Philipe (2020): Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Properties of Nanocoated Surfaces by Developing a Specialized Antimicrobial Assay
Hutz Jasmina (2018): Increasing mycosporine-like amino acid yield in microalgae by applying UV radiation. Efficient production of natural UV-absorbing molecules for potential food packaging applications