Madita Buch

I am currently a PhD candidate in Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Before beginning my doctoral studies, I trained in visceral and transplant surgery at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. My work connects clinical transplantation, translational research, and regenerative medicine, with a particular focus on improving organ preservation, graft assessment, and regeneration.

My interest in transplantation began during medical school in Innsbruck, where I joined the transplant research laboratory OrganLife and participated in the normothermic machine perfusion trial for donor livers. Working with András Meszaros and Julia Hoffmann under the supervision of Theresa Hautz, I focused on the mitochondrial assessment of liver grafts. This early experience at the intersection of surgery, innovation, and research shaped my decision to pursue a career dedicated to transplantation.

After graduating, I began my surgical training in January 2022 under the mentorship of Prof. Stefan Schneeberger at the Department of Visceral, Transplant, and Thoracic Surgery in Innsbruck. During this time, I was involved in clinical research projects on pediatric kidney transplantation and outcomes after liver transplantation, which strengthened my commitment to combining clinical practice with academic research.

In 2023, I was awarded the ESOT Transplant Fellowship, which allowed me to continue my academic and scientific development in the United Kingdom. Supported by this fellowship, I joined the Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where I am conducting my PhD under the supervision of Prof. Stuart Forbes and Dr. Sofia Ferreira-Gonzalez. The ESOT Transplant Fellowship enabled me to secure a fully funded PhD studentship through EASTBIO. My current research, carried out in collaboration with the Transplant Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, explores liver regeneration and organ repair mechanisms with the goal of developing new strategies to enhance organ viability and utilization.

Beyond my academic work, I am passionate about science communication and public engagement. I believe that sharing the scientific and human aspects of transplantation with a broader audience is essential for increasing understanding and support for organ donation and transplant research.

I am equally committed to supporting other young professionals navigating the challenges of training, funding, and international collaboration. Having experienced the transition between healthcare and academic systems across different countries, I am motivated to help others pursue interdisciplinary and cross-border careers.

As part of the Young Professionals in Transplantation, I hope to strengthen mentorship structures, foster inclusivity, and promote international collaboration among early-career transplant professionals. I believe that shared learning and cooperation across disciplines and borders are vital to advance our field and I am excited to contribute to that mission.