We’re excited to share that Dr. Monika Brandić Lipińska was awared a UIBK FemCarrer Fellowship for her research titled Resource-Driven Bio-manufacturing: Integrative Strategies for Living Architecture in Extreme Environments, with Prof. Barbara Imhof as a mentor. The fellowship was awarded for the first time this year, marking an important milestone for the University of Innsbruck, which is attracting highly qualified female researchers. The official award ceremony took place on Thursday, 25 June 2026, and was conducted by the Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Gregor Weihs.

Dr. Monika Brandić Lipińska completed her PhD at the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment at Newcastle University, in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center, where she researched biological approaches to building habitats on Mars, including the development of low-biomass mycelium–regolith construction composites. She holds an MSc in Architecture from Lund University and an MSc in Space Studies from the International Space University, and has professional experience across Europe, the US, the UK, and Japan. Her work explores how architectural design, in-situ resource utilisation, biotechnologies, and living materials can shape resilient habitats that support human well-being in extreme and resource-limited environments.