Science Breakfast
As part of the BioTechMed-Graz Science Breakfasts, guest lectures are given on current scientific and socially relevant topics. The event always takes place on the first Wednesday of the month at the University of Graz.
Next date:
Speaker: Jolana Wagner-Skacel (Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Med Uni Graz)
Title: Sleep, Nutrition, and the Mind: Psychosomatic Pathways to Health and Disease
Date: Wednesday, 3.6.2026, 8.30 a.m.
Location: University of Graz, Universitätsstraße 15, RESOWI, SZ 15.22 (Attention: different room!)
Abstract
Psychosomatic medicine has evolved into a highly integrative discipline that bridges biological, psychological, and social dimensions of health. This lecture presents a comprehensive, biopsychosocial framework for understanding the dynamic interactions between mind and body, with a particular focus on personality functioning, stress regulation, sleep, and metabolic processes.
Drawing on clinical and research experience from integrated care models in gastroenterology, transplantation medicine, psycho-cardiology, and psycho-oncology, the talk highlights how structural personality features, attachment patterns, and mentalization capacities shape health behaviors, treatment adherence, and disease outcomes. Special attention is given to the role of circadian rhythms, sleep disturbances, and the gut–brain axis in the development and maintenance of both somatic and psychiatric conditions.
Recent findings from nutritional psychiatry demonstrate that dietary interventions, microbiome composition, and metabolic regulation significantly influence emotional well-being, inflammation, and resilience. These insights support the implementation of multimodal, personalized treatment strategies combining psychotherapy, lifestyle interventions, and medical care.
The lecture aims to provide clinicians and researchers with a deeper understanding of psychosomatic mechanisms and practical approaches for integrating mental and physical healthcare, ultimately improving patient outcomes and promoting sustainable health.
About the speaker:
Professor Jolana Wagner-Skacel is Professor of Psychosomatic Medicine at the Medical University of Graz and Head of the Division of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy. Her work focuses on advancing integrative, biopsychosocial approaches in clinical care, teaching, and research.
She has developed and implemented innovative integrated care models across multiple medical fields, including gastroenterology, transplantation medicine, psycho-cardiology, and psycho-oncology. Her research interests include personality functioning, mentalisation, resilience, and the interaction between metabolic processes, nutrition, sleep, and mental health.
Prof. Wagner-Skacel’s work combines psychodynamic concepts with contemporary neuroscience and big data approaches, aiming to personalise psychosomatic treatment and improve patient adherence and long-term outcomes. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary research projects exploring the gut–brain axis, chronobiology, and nutritional psychiatry.
Past events:
