Six MCI Students Conduct Research at Top US Universities

Date 2026-02-12

Marshall Plan Scholarship Enables Joint Research Projects with Yale University, Purdue University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara

The Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation annually supports outstanding students in completing research stays in the United States. Since 2009, a total of 52 MCI students have been awarded a Marshall Plan Scholarship.

This year, six MCI students are delighted to receive the unique opportunity to spend six to eight months conducting research at one of the world’s leading universities, establishing international research collaborations, and writing their final theses.

  • Markus Mitteregger | Bachelor Medical, Health & Sports Engineering | Yale University
  • Alexander Kometer | Bachelor Medical, Health & Sports Engineering | Yale University
  • Darius Lowins | Bachelor Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering | University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Emil Kunze | Bachelor Industrial Engineering & Management | University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Jonas Horn | Master Medical & Sports Technologies | Purdue University
  • Tom Pusch | Master Medical & Sports Technologies | Purdue University

Susanne Lichtmannegger, Head of MCI International Relations, says: “International experiences such as those made possible through the Marshall Plan Scholarship allow our students to complete their academic theses at renowned universities in the United States. In addition to the academic benefits, close collaboration with colleagues in the U.S. fosters the development of sustainable international networks – for both students and the university.”

Martin Pillei, Head of MCI Research & Development, adds: “International research experience, new collaborations, and access to innovative methods at leading universities sustainably strengthen the research quality and global connectivity of MCI. For us as a university, this combination of research-led teaching and international experience is a key pillar of academic excellence.”

Marshall Plan Scholarship

To sustainably strengthen scientific exchange between Austria and the United States, the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation awards the prestigious Marshall Plan Scholarship for research stays at renowned institutions such as Yale, Harvard, or the University of California. With its long-standing participation and high number of successful applications, MCI ranks among the most active Austrian universities in this field.

The MCI recipients of the Marshall Plan Scholarship 2026 ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
From left: Alexander Kometer, Yeongmi Kim (Professor Medical & Health Technologies), Markus Mitteregger ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
From left: Darius Lowins, Werner Stadlmayr (Head of Department & Studies Environment, Process & Energy Engineering) ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
From left: Martin Pillei (Head of Department & Studies Industrial Engineering & Management), Emil Kunze ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
From left: Tom Pusch, Daniel Sieber (Head of Department & Studies), Jonas Horn ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
The MCI recipients of the Marshall Plan Scholarship 2026 ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
The MCI recipients of the Marshall Plan Scholarship 2026 ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl
From left: Alexander Kometer, Yeongmi Kim (Professor Medical & Health Technologies), Markus Mitteregger ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
From left: Alexander Kometer, Yeongmi Kim (Professor Medical & Health Technologies), Markus Mitteregger ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl
From left: Darius Lowins, Werner Stadlmayr (Head of Department & Studies Environment, Process & Energy Engineering) ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
From left: Darius Lowins, Werner Stadlmayr (Head of Department & Studies Environment, Process & Energy Engineering) ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl
From left: Martin Pillei (Head of Department & Studies Industrial Engineering & Management), Emil Kunze ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
From left: Martin Pillei (Head of Department & Studies Industrial Engineering & Management), Emil Kunze ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl
From left: Tom Pusch, Daniel Sieber (Head of Department & Studies), Jonas Horn ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl<br />
From left: Tom Pusch, Daniel Sieber (Head of Department & Studies), Jonas Horn ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl
<p>The MCI recipients of the Marshall Plan Scholarship 2026 ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>

The MCI recipients of the Marshall Plan Scholarship 2026 ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl

<p>From left: Alexander Kometer, Yeongmi Kim (Professor Medical & Health Technologies), Markus Mitteregger ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>

From left: Alexander Kometer, Yeongmi Kim (Professor Medical & Health Technologies), Markus Mitteregger ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl

<p>From left: Darius Lowins, Werner Stadlmayr (Head of Department & Studies Environment, Process & Energy Engineering) ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>

From left: Darius Lowins, Werner Stadlmayr (Head of Department & Studies Environment, Process & Energy Engineering) ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl

<p>From left: Martin Pillei (Head of Department & Studies Industrial Engineering & Management), Emil Kunze ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>

From left: Martin Pillei (Head of Department & Studies Industrial Engineering & Management), Emil Kunze ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl

<p>From left: Tom Pusch, Daniel Sieber (Head of Department & Studies), Jonas Horn ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>

From left: Tom Pusch, Daniel Sieber (Head of Department & Studies), Jonas Horn ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl

<p>The MCI recipients of the Marshall Plan Scholarship 2026 ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>
<p>From left: Alexander Kometer, Yeongmi Kim (Professor Medical & Health Technologies), Markus Mitteregger ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>
<p>From left: Darius Lowins, Werner Stadlmayr (Head of Department & Studies Environment, Process & Energy Engineering) ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>
<p>From left: Martin Pillei (Head of Department & Studies Industrial Engineering & Management), Emil Kunze ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>
<p>From left: Tom Pusch, Daniel Sieber (Head of Department & Studies), Jonas Horn ©MCI/Aaron Heimerl</p>
Six MCI Students Conduct Research at Top US Universities
Six MCI Students Conduct Research at Top US Universities
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