Erwin Petek joined the Medical Faculty of the University of Graz in 1994, which eventually became the Medical University of Graz. After conducting research at the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto under Prof. Stephen W. Scherer and Prof. L. C. Tsui, he received authorization to teach the subjects medical biology and human genetics in 2001. In the same year, he was appointed Associate Professor at Med Uni Graz. Petek is First Deputy Head of the Diagnostic and Research Institute of Human Genetics and a court-certified expert in human hereditary biology as well as medical and chemical lab diagnostics with a focus on human genetics. His research focus is on human genome research and the deciphering of molecular changes in neuropsychiatric disorders. In 2013, he received the Austrian Decoration of Honour for Science and Art from Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Since the start of his scientific career, Petek has been committed to university teaching and held prominent positions in the area of studies and teaching at Med Uni Graz including Vice Rector for Studies and Teaching, spokesperson of Curricular Committee for Postgraduate Education and Dean of Study Affairs.
