Well, let's start the necromantic ritual: This year, the blog was admittedly not the main focus, with only a few posts. BUT this was mainly due to new and exciting projects: I started recording gaming videos ("Let's Plays" for YouTube), while rapidly professionalising. At some point, I set up a proper channel called Professor Plays! Check it out, I even have an SFX intro. Highlight was my ability to play and upload the Wasteland 3 Alpha at launch due to holidays.

More creative energy went into the overdue continuation of my musical side project Commander Deep, with the release of its second Album Rematerialisation In Finity. The production volume is approximately 100x higher than the last one, featuring multiple instruments, better SFX and proper artworks.
Gradient of Disorder is still around, with our first album rapidly steadfastly approaching completion. Only vocals and a few instrumental parts for one song need to be recorded, with eight songs being already mixed. Expect it 2020, for real.

On the scientific front, I wrote an article about magnetic fields for "Der Skeptiker" that can be ordered here. Next year will probably see a few public education talks about 5G and why you don't need to hide under a stone because of it.

During traveling for conferences and meetings in north america, I made a nice travel video.

But most importantly, I got a new position (to be exactly half of one) for research using an intraoperative MRI that will be online in the near future. This cutting edge imager will offer exciting possibilities.

I summarise: 2019 was a productive and successful year!

Happy solstice, have a christmas and stay epic!
GG

Public talk at Sceptics in the Pub Vienna: After action report

The talk in October went very well, and since last week, the resulting YouTube is available:

If you missed the talk but are interested, this is your chance to be edutained. ;)

Stay epic!

Public talk at Sceptics in the Pub Vienna

Tomorrow I have the honour to talk about the effects of magnetic field on us humans as part of the Viennese Sceptics in the Pub talk series. I hope I can discuss some interesting effects and facts and fulfill my duty as scientist by enlightening a few people.

Admittedly, the advertisement here is very short-term, but the event enjoyed some publicity in other channels. There even is a press release! I hope to see some readers tomorrow, but there will be a YouTube video for all the people missing the event. Therefore I will post an after show report and the link to the recording at a later date.

Stay epic!

Science communication: Where you can find me speaking and presenting in the near future

In my opinion, as important as science-ing is the communication of your topic and results to the interested public. Therefore I strife to do exactly this, resulting in some events/event participations to announce!

For starters, the "Lange Nacht der Forschung" i.e. the long night of science on the 13.4.2018 draws closer. Our centre will show of our equipment and research in guided tours between 17:00 and 20:00.  As soon as the details are available online, you will find them here! If you cannot come or represent a bigger group, please feel free to contact me for an extra tour at another date.

Soon afterwards, I will talk about the effects of magnetic field onto humans at the Volkshochschule Donaustadt (adult education centre), details are available here.

I will also present a poster about my recent scientific work at the CCC-TRIO – Translational Research & Immuno-Oncology symposium here in Vienna on the 6.4.2018, but this is a bit too specific for the general audience, I guess.

For the younger generation, I will also organise courses for the children's university in summer, but its program will only be online in May.

More interesting will be a special surprise for late 2018 that I will announce in the future.

Stay tuned and epic and see you soon.

My Own Scientific Project: 3D 2HG mapping as biomarker for IDH-mutation in glioma

Today it is my special pride to talk a bit about work: I was blessed with near-divine grace by the Austrian Science Fund to receive a project grant for a clinical research project about "3D 2HG mapping as biomarker for IDH-mutation in glioma". What does that mean? First of all, three years of PostDoc for me, being able to conduct research. :) Secondly, it means that I want to develop and improve magnetic resonance imaging measurements that can detect 2-hydroxyglutarate, a metabolic byproduct of some types of brain tumour called glioma that possess certain tumour-specific mutations. In the end, we want something that can be used beyond basic research and is fit for clinical use. Here you can check out more details if you are interested!

This reminds me of maybe writing a bit about the basics of magnetic resonance imaging in the future if anyone is interested (maybe drop a comment?). Just per chance I might know a few things about this.

Stay Epic!