Erich Leitner studied technical chemistry at the Graz University of Technology where he received his Master's degree 1988 followed by a PhD degree 1991. He got the "venia docendi" 2005 for "Food Chemistry". His research activities are focused on the identification of volatile and odour active substances in food and food contact materials. Currently he is head of the research group "Food chemistry and Human Sensory Analysis" at the Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry at the Graz University of Technology. In his research he combines the use of a trained expert panel and highly specific equipment based on gas chromatographic techniques for the identification and quantification of flavor and off-flavor substances in different matrices. This covers food (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, fruits and vegetables, processed food) and non food materials (recycled materials, car interior parts, food contact materials).