Research

The scientific emphasis of Maria-Elisabeth Krautwald-Junghanns covers the diagnosis and therapy of the diseases of the class Aves. She made an important contribution for the development of the still young discipline of pet-, zoo- and wild bird medicine and developed among other things two specialized hospitals (Hospital for Birds and Reptiles at the Justus Liebig University Giessen, Clinic for Birds and Reptiles at the University of Leipzig). Both hospitals are well-known in Germany and abroad as places of practical veterinary work and scientific research, which is reflected also by numerous visits of European and American scientists.

One of the main focuses of her research was and is the application of non-invasive imaging techniques in birds, with the ultrasonographic investigation of avian patients established by Krautwald-Junghanns nowadays being part of the routine diagnostic methods in clinical work.

Apart from practical application on individual bird patients, her research provided also a basis for various projects in poultry science (e.g. employment of imaging techniques for sex determination in chicken eggs), which for the most part was followed by interdisciplinary co-operation with scientists of differing specialist divisions. Her investigations in the field of poultry medicine mainly comprise research on the influence of husbandry and breeding on avian diseases. An important concern for her is among other things the mediation of scientific results to the public and during political counselling.

Projects

• Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung: Anwendungsorientierte Untersuchungen zur in-ovo-Geschlechtsbestimmung beim Haushuhn (Gallus gallus f. dom.)“ (2012-2015; 2530-0588)
• Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung: Indikatoren einer tiergerechten Aufzucht von Mastputen (2010–2012; 2530-0483)
• Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung: Möglichkeiten der In-ovo-Geschlechtsbestimmung beim Haushuhn (Gallus gallus f. dom.) als Alternative zur routinemäßigen Tötung männlicher Eintagsküken aus Legehennenlinien“ (2008–2011; 2531-0271)
• Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung: Indikatoren einer tiergerechten Mastputenhaltung (2007–2009; 2531-0305)