Dr. Christoph Leitner

Dr. Christoph Leitner received a PhD. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Graz University of Technology (Austria) in 2022 (Advisor Prof. Christian Baumgartner). During his PhD., Leitner investigated the intricate connection between neural inputs and voluntary muscle contractions, that when transmitted through bones and tendons, produce joint torques and movements. He demonstrated a novel algorithm to identify sub-fascicular dynamics and strains in ultrafast ultrasound signals of contracting muscles. In collaboration with scientists from Graz (Prof. Markus Tilp, University of Graz) and Queensland (Prof. Glen Lichwark, Queensland University of Technology) Leitner proposed a new machine learning method for accelerated ultrasound image analyses of muscle-tendon junctions which was published in the IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. In a collaboration with Prof. Francesco Greco (BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna Pisa) Leitner developed an ultrasound transparent multi-electrode array based on a temporary tattoo technology for parallel acquisition of ExG and ultrasound signals. This research led to a European Patent application.

Leitner is currently holding a postdoctoral position at the Integrated System Laboratory of ETH Zurich (Advisor Prof. Luca Benini). His research interests focus on the development and integration of printed piezoelectric transducers and flexible, conformable interfaces with energy-efficient embedded systems for biomedical and IoT applications. He has ongoing collaborations with several international research institutes, such as the School of Advanced Studies Sant'Anna, University of Graz, Graz University of Technology, Veterinary University of Vienna, University of Zurich and  KTH Stockholm. Dr. Leitner is recipient of the Motorik Stipendium (3 year PhD scholarship) and the Josef Krainer Young Researcher Award for his accomplishments in his PhD. thesis.

Previously, from 2006 to 2011, he was employed as an University Assistant and R&D engineer in structural mechanics at the Graz University of Technology and the Virtual Vehicle GmbH, respectively. From 2010 to 2018 Leitner was competing at European and World levels in Olympic distance triathlon.

Publications: google scholar