Internationalization
Fulbright Austria

Fulbright Austria promotes mutual understanding, cooperation, and knowledge transfer between Austria and the United States by sponsoring educational and cultural exchange programs for individuals and institutions. Approximately 7,000 Fulbright grants are awarded annually on a global basis. Between 70 and 80 of these awards are managed by Fulbright Austria.

Prof. Jodi Stookey is an epidemiologist at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, California, USA. Her research focuses on the effects of water/cell hydration on health and the prevalence of hyperosmotic stress on cells (cell dehydration) in children, adults and older adults, as well as the effects of water and/or hydration status on chronic disease. At the PMU, Prof. Stookey collaborated with Prof. Markus Ritter at the Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology as well as with the International Office.

1) Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program

The course addressed gaps in health authority recommendations about how much water a person should drink for long-term health. Invited speakers from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States gave participants valuable insights into distinct effects of drinking water on hydration biomarkers and chronic disease risk factors at the cell, clinical, and population levels. 

The participants included 29 students from four partner universities:

• Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
• Academy of Applied Sciences in Konin, Poland
• University of J.J. Strossmayer Osijek, Croatia
• Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland

For more information click here.

2) Paracelsus 10000 data analyses

• Cross-sectional data analysis
• Population-based cohort
• Residents of metropolitan Salzburg
• Ages 40-70 years
• Met health criteria
• Met hydration criteria

3) ADAPT -Thirst Study

• Randomized controlled trial
• Test drinking water effects on hydration biomarkers
• Check (replicate?) Adapt Study results with randomized design, larger sample
• Gather Salzburg -area RCT data that align with Salzburg -area P10000 data
• Involve Salzburg -area clinicians and researchers and measures of concern/interest (brain fMRI)

4) Community Engagement workshop at HLWM Annahof

• A half-day, highly interactive workshop on Hydration at Vocational Secondary School Annahof in Salzburg, focusing on the impact of water at the cellular level. During the session, students explored the crucial role of water in various bodily functions and engaged in hands-on practical exercises. These activities included testing the acidity levels of different water samples and discussing how hydration influences cellular processes, metabolism, and overall health. The workshop provided students with valuable insights into the science of hydration, encouraging them to think critically about their daily water intake and its effects on their well-being.

   

5) Lecture for PhD Students of Medical Science

• What role(s) does water play in your research?