Education

1986 – 1991 Mechanical Engineering, HTL Wels, Austria

1992 – 1998 Biology/Ecology, University of Vienna

Scientific degrees

2002 Dr. rer. nat., Biology/Ecology, University of Vienna

Work experience

1999 – 2005 Scientist at the Center for Appropriate Technology (GrAT), Vienna University of Technology

2005 – 2007 Research work (first as co-worker of Prof. Rupert Riedl, later as project leader) in the project “System Theory Today” (Austrian Science Fund: P18149-G04) at the University of Vienna

2009 – 2010 Postdoc at the University of Rostock, with Prof. Olaf Wolkenhauer (Chair in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics)

2011 – 2014 Research work (project leader) in the project “Systems in Biology” (Austrian Science Fund: P 22955-G17) at the University of Vienna

Current third-party funded projects

Selected Publications

van Nieuwenhoven, R.W., Drack, M., Gebeshuber, I.C. 2023: Engineered Materials: Bioinspired “Good Enough” versus Maximized Performance. Advanced Functional Materials 2023, 2307127 (1-9). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202307127

Drack, M., Betz, O. 2022. A technomorphic conceptualisation of biological ‘constructions’ and their evolution, Vertebrate Zoology, 72, 839–855, https://doi.org/10.3897/vz.72.e86968

Wanieck, K., Hamann, L., Bartz, M., Uttich, E., Hollermann, M., Drack, M., Beismann, H. 2022. Biomimetics linked to classical product development: An interdisciplinary endeavor to develop a technical standard. Biomimetics 7, 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics7020036

Günther, A., Drack, M., Monod, L., Wirkner, C.S. 2021. A unique yet technically simple type of joint allows for the high mobility of scorpion tails. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 18: 20210388. (DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0388)

Drack, M., Berger, A., Ettinger, B., Gebeshuber, I.C. 2020. 3D-printed facet optics: Novel adjustable technical optics inspired by compound eyes. Frontiers in Materials 7:199. (DOI: 10.3389/fmats.2020.00199)

Drack M, Limpinsel M, de Bruyn G, Nebelsick JH, Betz O. 2018. Towards a theoretical clarification of biomimetics using conceptual tools from engineering design. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics 13: 016007. (DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aa967c)

Drack M, Betz O. 2017. The basis of theory building in biology lies in the organism concept: a historical perspective on the shoulders of three giants. Organisms. Journal of Biological Sciences 1: 69–82. (DOI: 10.13133/2532-5876_2.11)

Drack M, 2015. Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s organismic view on the theory of evolution. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution 324B: 77–90. (DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22611)

Drack M, Pouvreau D. 2015. On the history of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s “General Systemology”, and on its relationship to cybernetics – Part III: Convergences and divergences. International Journal of General Systems 44: 523–571. (DOI: 10.1080/03081079.2014.1000642)

Drack M, Gebeshuber I C. 2013. Comment on “Innovation through imitation: biomimetic, bioinspired and biokleptic research” by A. E. Rawlings, J. P. Bramble and S. S. Staniland, Soft Matter, 2012, 8, 6675. Soft Matter 9(7): 2338–2340. (DOI: 10.1039/c2sm26722e) (Top 10 most-read Soft Matter articles in January 2013)

Drack M, Wolkenhauer O. 2011. System approaches of Weiss and Bertalanffy and their relevance for systems biology today. Seminars in Cancer Biology 21(3): 150–155. (DOI:10.1016/j.semcancer.2011.05.001)

Gebeshuber I C, Gruber P, Drack M. 2009. A gaze into the crystal ball – biomimetics in the year 2059. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 223(12): 2899–2918. (DOI: 10.1243/09544062JMES1563)

Gebeshuber I C, Drack M. 2008. An attempt to reveal synergies between biology and mechanical engineering.  Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 222(7): 1281–1287. (DOI: 10.1243/09544062JMES8909)

Drack M, Apfalter W, Pouvreau D. 2007. On the making of a system theory of life: Paul A Weiss and Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s conceptual connection. The Quarterly Review of Biology 82(4): 349–373. (DOI: 10.1086/522810)

Pouvreau D, Drack M. 2007. On the history of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s “General Systemology”, and on its relationship to cybernetics – Part I: elements on the origins and genesis of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s “General Systemology”. International Journal of General Systems 36(3): 281–337. (DOI: 10.1080/03081070601127961)