Dr. Patsch obtained his MD from the University of Innsbruck under the auspices of the Austrian President. He trained in internal and laboratory medicine at Innsbruck University, and in physical chemistry/biochemistry at the University of Uppsala. After serving as assistant professor at Washington University of Medicine, St. Louis (1978-1982), he joined Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, where he became full professor in 1990. He moved back to Austria in 1993 to head the Department of Laboratory Medicine of the Landeskliniken Salzburg. As one of the founders of Paracelsus Medical University, he was dean of research (2002-2006). He is now professor in the Department of Pharmacology. The research interests of Dr. Patsch relate to genetics, pathogenesis and treatment of complex metabolic and, more recently, neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Patsch directed numerous scientific projects supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Heart Association, industry, and the Austrian Science Ministry.