Address

Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Economics, Medical Statistics and Informatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Peter Willeit

Head of Department

Medical University of Innsbruck

Honorary Research Fellow
School of Medicine, University of Cambridge

Biography

Peter Willeit is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Medical University of Innsbruck. He holds a Master in Epidemiology and a PhD in Public Health and Primary Care from the University of Cambridge and a medical degree from the Medical University of Innsbruck. Before taking up his current position in Innsbruck, he worked as a University Lecturer (Assistant Professorship) at the University of Cambridge and he is currently affiliated with the Cambridge School of Medicine as a Honorory Research Fellow. Prof Willeit is principal investigator of the Proof-ATHERO consortium, the STROKE-CARD trial and the Lipoprotein(a) Studies Collaboration.

With his team, he conducts large-scale data analyses to better understand diseases, improve prevention and inform public health decision-making. He has a special research focus on chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Education

  1. June 2009

    Doctor of Human Medicine

    Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
  2. September 2010

    MPhil in Epidemiology

    University of Cambridge, UK
  3. September 2013

    PhD in Public Health and Primary Care

    University of Cambridge, UK
  4. January 2017

    Habilitation in Epidemiology

    Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria

Professional Appointments

  1. 2013-2015
    Postdoctoral Research Associate in Cardiovascular Epidemiology
    Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, UK
  2. 2015-2016
    Erwin Schrödinger Fellow in Epidemiology
    British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, King’s College London, UK
  3. 2016
    University Lecturer in Medical Epidemiology
    Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, UK
  4. 2016-2017
    Assistant Professor of Clinical Epidemiology
    Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
  5. Since 2016
    Honorary Research Fellow
    Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, UK
  6. 2017-2021
    Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology
    Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
  7. 2021-2022
    Professor of Clinical Epidemiology
    Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
  8. Since 2022
    Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health
    Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria

Selected Awards & Prizes

  • 2017
    Research Prize
    Austrian Stroke Association
  • 2016
    Young Investigator Fellowship
    European Atherosclerosis Society
  • 2016
    Research Prize
    Medical Association Tyrol
  • 2015
    Young Investigator Award Finalist
    AHA Functional Genomics and Translational Biology Council
  • 2015
    UK Research Paper of the Year Finalist
    The BMJ Awards
  • 2015
    Erwin Schrödinger Fellowship
    Austrian Science Trust
  • 2013
    European Region's Young Researcher Award
    European Region Tyrol - South Tyrol - Trentino
  • 2012
    Translational Cancer Research Award
    Hans and Blanca Moser Foundation
  • 2012
    Ageing Research Award
    Dr Johannes and Hertha Tuba Foundation