(Vienna, 18 March 2025) Benedikt Simbrunner, a PhD graduate of MedUni Vienna, has been honored for his academic achievements with the “Promotio sub auspiciis Praesidentis rei publicae” award. Federal President Alexander van der Bellen awarded the honorary rings at a ceremony held at the Presidential Chancellery in the Vienna Hofburg.
Benedikt Simbrunner studied medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, with exchange semesters in Heidelberg and Zurich. In 2024, he completed his PhD studies in gastroenterology and hepatology (N094: Endocrinology and Metabolism) with the highest honors (Promotio sub auspiciis Praesidentis).
Simbrunner worked as a research assistant in the laboratory of Thomas Reiberger's research group before completing his basic training and beginning his specialist training in internal medicine with a focus on gastroenterology and hepatology at MedUni Vienna/University Hospital Vienna. As part of his specialist training, he completed rotations in nephrology, cardiology, hematology, and intensive care.
From 2024, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the ‘Hepatic and intestinal immunobiology lab’ (headed by Prof. Rubén Francés) at the Universidad Miguel Hernández in Spain. In his research, Benedikt Simbrunner focuses on the mechanisms of advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD), in particular systemic inflammation, immune disorders and the gut-liver circulation. His scientific training already included research work on serotonin transporter function during his medical studies and later on the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension.
Award for outstanding academic achievements
The “sub auspiciis doctorate” (Latin for “doctorate under the auspices of the Federal President”), also known as the “sub auspiciis promotion”, is a specifically Austrian form of award for outstanding academic achievements. It is the highest possible distinction for academic achievements in Austria. The requirements for admission to a sub auspiciis praesidentis doctorate are: completion of the upper school with honors, a high school diploma with honors, completion of the relevant studies with honors (this includes all examination subjects of the diploma examinations or all modules in the bachelor's or bachelor's or master's program and a grade of “very good” for the diploma or master's thesis) and the assessment of the dissertation and passing all oral exams or the final exam with the grade “very good”.