Girls*Day @BOKU 2026

On April 23rd 2026, we invite again daughters*, granddaughters*, nieces* and their friends* between the ages of 11-16 to gain insights into the variety of workplaces of their relatives.

The day is filled with:

  • exciting input and quizzes about BOKU University
  • independent research and experimentation
  • guided tours through mysterious laboratories
  • communicative breaks

Opening remarks by Reingard Grabherr, Professor and Head of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology

Ela and Verena will accompany you throughout the day.

WORKSHOP

How to find fantastic antibody molecules

Antibodies serve our immune system and are also very successful drugs. Their diversity is virtually limitless, and pharmaceutical research is striving to make them even more effective.  How can they be found? How can they be improved? We embark on an exciting journey from the point where interesting molecules are discovered: from their production to testing their function.  

Host: Gordana Wozniak Knopp, Cecilia Wick, Veronica Natale

Institute of Moleculare Biotechnology

Sujet BOKU Core Facilities

WORKSHOP 

Microscopy meets AI

Dive into the microcosm! We will show you with high-resolution microscopes that plants are anything but static on the inside — observe migrating chloroplasts and learn how we make cellular organelles glow using fluorescence. Afterwards, we will let artificial intelligence generate similar images and discuss together: What can AI do, and where are its limits?

Workshop faciliators: René Ladurner; Vera Pils

BOKU Core Facility Bioinformatics & Core Facility Multiscale Imaging

Sujet mit getrockneten Beeren und Kuchenstücken

GUIDED TOUR of the FOOD TECHNOLOGY PILOT PLANT

Have you ever wondered how the foods you know from the supermarket are made?

At the Food Technology Pilot Plant of the Core Facility Food & Bio Processing you will learn about technologies and processes that are needed to turn raw materials into delicious and safe to eat foods.

The tour is conducted by: Christine Steinkellner, Lukas Steiner

BOKU Core Facility Food & Bio Processing

General Information

Participation in the BOKU Girls*day is free of charge. 

Participants will be accompanied during breaks and while moving between buildings. Small snacks and drinks will be provided during breaks, and a lunch package including a beverage will be available at noon.

Chemicals and tools may be used under supervision. We kindly ask participants to wear comfortable clothing that may get dirty and sturdy footwear. We recommend wearing long pants and non-slip, flat shoes (e.g. sneakers) for the tour.

During the event, photos of the participating girls* will be taken and used in BOKU media. We want to protect the privacy of the participants and have therefore deliberately chosen not to include any photos in which faces are recognizable.

Please inform us if there are any intolerances or other circumstances we need to be aware of (please contact kostelle@boku.ac.at).

BOKU University has been part of the Stadt Wien Girls*day initiative for many years. 

Girls*day is an initiative to inspire and provide perspectives during the career orientation phase, especially in fields where the proportion of women tends to be low – such as technical, natural, and engineering sciences.

We extend special thanks to all workshop leaders for their commitment and exciting contributions, particularly to our host Institute for Soil Research. The Vienna Girls*day at the BOKU is a collaboration between the Coordination Office for Equality, Diversity, and Disability, the City of Vienna, BOKU4you, and various BOKU institutes and organisational units.

DIRECTIONS

BOKU Muthgasse 

Aula Muthgasse 18 (Armin Szilvinyi Haus), 1190 Vienna

Start 9.00 am

End 15:30-16:00 pm

Registration is now closed