Katharina Pfundt recieved the prize for her research paper 'Dried milk spots: a viable approach for assessing the chemical exposome in breast milk', published in Exposome (2026), which represents an important contribution to methodological advances in food safety.
Exposome Analysis in Breast Milk
In this study, Katharina Pfundt, PhD student in Prof. Benedikt Warth’s Global Exposomics & Biomonitoring Lab, developed and optimised an analytical workflow using dried milk spots (DMS) combined with highly sensitive LC-MS/MS techniques. Using this approach, a broad range of chemical exposures, including environmental pollutants, plastic-related compounds, flame retardants, and other xenobiotics could be quantified directly in breast milk samples. The method achieved robust performance across hundreds of compounds and demonstrated good stability under various storage conditions, making it a fit-for-purpose method for large-scale exposomic biomonitoring studies.
“Remote sampling with cold chains and proper shipment is not always possible. Exploring alternative approaches is essential!”
- Vinicius Verri Hernandes, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher at the Exposome Austria Research Infra-structure)
“Simplifying sample collection without losing analytical depth opens new possibilities for early-life exposome research.”
- Katharina Pfundt
The awarded paper stands out not only for its methodical innovation but also for its relevance to human health research, providing a feasible path toward high-throughput and non-invasive exposure assessment in early life, a critical window for understanding long-term environmental health out-comes.
About the award winner
Katharina Pfundt earned her bachelor’s degree in food chemistry at the University of Hamburg and subsequently completed a master’s degree in the same field at the University of Vienna. The awarded publication originated from her master’s thesis, carried out under the lab supervision of Vinicius Verri Hernandes in the research group of Benedikt Warth, where she is now pursuing her PhD studies.
The P. B. Czedig–Eysenberg Prize is awarded every two years to young scientists in recognition of relevant scientific publications in the fields of food chemistry, cosmetics, and consumer products. The prize may be awarded to up to two recipients; in 2026, both awards go to researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry. The award ceremony will take place during the Austrian Food Chemistry Days 2026 (8–10 April) at Graz University of Technology. Katharina Pfundt and Tobias Pointner will present their research in an award lecture.
Original Publication
Pfundt, K., Verri Hernandes, V. & Warth, B., Dried milk spots: a viable approach for assessing the chemical exposome in mothers and their infants by targeted LC-MS/MS, Exposome, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2026, osag001
- Website of the Global Exposomics & Biomonitoring Lab.
