Vetmeduni: Messerli Research Institute

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

At the Messerli Research Institute, scientifically based findings for the coexistence of humans and animals are developed and expanded.

Partner institutions

The Messerli Research Institute is divided into:

Comparative Cognition

Tracing the thinking and feeling of animals.

Head: Professor Ludwig Huber

Comparative Medicine

One Health: factors influencing allergies in humans and animals.

Head: Professor Erika Jensen-Jarolim

Ethics and Human-Animal Studies

From practice to theory and back.

Head: Professor Herwig Grimm

Associated centers and research partners

Kea Lab

Goffin Lab

Goffin Lab Tanimbar

Haidlhof Research Station

Wolf Science Center

Domestication Lab KLIVV

Institute for Pathophysiology & Allergy Research

Institute of Philosophy

Interdisciplinary teaching

Our international Master's programme in Human-Animal Relationship

Our teaching is led by our research.
Research is therefore an integral part of the academic curriculum in the Interdisciplinary Master in Human-Animal Interactions.
IMHAI is designed to communicate and develop guidelines for the responsible handling of animals.
Students receive research- and competency-oriented education at high international standards.

Scientific Advisory Board

The Scientific Advisory Board of the MRI is the external advisory body to assure scientific quality, up-to-date research and focusing of the research at the MRI. The main issues are the strategic orientation of the research, the institute’s international position and networking.

Peter Sandøe (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Chair of the Scientific advisory board
Sabine Werner (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)
Josep Call (University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom)
Thomas Kündig (University of Zurich, Switzerland)

Herta Messerli (1911-2014)
Founder of the Messerli Foundation

"May the Messerli Research Institute help to better understand animals and thus (provide) animals with a better existence."