Mario Hirz has been awarded an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering and economics, a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, and a venia docendi in the area of virtual product development. 

He is Associate Professor at the Graz University of Technology and a frequent guest lecturer at universities and in automotive industry throughout Europe, North America and Asia. Prof. Hirz is Vice-Head of the Institute of Automotive Engineering at Graz University of Technology and Head of the research area for Automotive Mechatronics. 

In his position, he is responsible for different international R&D projects. His research topics comprise alternative powertrains, electric propulsion systems, new vehicle technologies, concepts for sustainable transport, future mobility, life-cycle assessment as well as mechatronics systems and computational development. 

Prof. Hirz is member of scientific associations, reviewer of journal and conference publications and co-organizer of conferences. He has published more than 100 works and has received several national and international awards.