Graduation from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Free University in Berlin in 1990. Afterwards doctoral thesis and post graduate education at the Institute for Poultry Diseases in Berlin, mainly on fowl adenoviruses, completed with the habilitation in 2000. Afterwards joining Intervet UK and heading the Department for Avian Research. In 2001 employed by the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna in order to establish research, teaching and services on poultry health as Head of the Clinic for Poultry. Since 2008 Head of the Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health. Founding diplomate and first president of ECPVS. Editorial Board member of Avian Diseases and Avian Pathology. Numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and various patents in the area of infectious diseases in poultry.