Peter Dungel studied Technical Chemistry, specialising in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, at TU Vienna. He completed his diploma thesis at the Department of Surgery at the General Hospital of Vienna and obtained his PhD in 2003 at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology. In 2005, Dr Dungel spent six months as a research fellow at the Institute of Surgery at the University of Texas in Dallas. Upon returning to Vienna, he continued his research at the LBI in the group of Assoc. Prof. Andrey Koslov, focusing on the role of mitochondria in intensive care medicine, particularly in the context of shock and sepsis.

From 2008 to 2011, Peter worked on an FWF-funded project investigating the role of nitrite as an oxygen-independent source of nitric oxide and its protective effects against hypoxia-induced cellular damage. In parallel, he established light therapy (photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy) as a new research field at the institute and led several projects in this area, including a study commissioned by the Austrian company RELUX, co-financed through the FFG.

This expertise laid the foundation for today’s SHIELD research group, which Dr Dungel has led since its inception. In close cooperation between LBI Trauma and AUVA, his current research focuses on prevention-oriented topics in occupational health and safety. Key areas include the safe application of new substances and technologies in the workplace and the development of effective preventive measures to reduce work-related illnesses.