Dr Strasser, MD, graduated in1990 and is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. He is also board certified by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine as a palliative care specialist. He trained in Switzerland and then worked for 2 years (2000-2002) in the clinical and academic field at MD Anderson Cancer Center Palliative Care Service in Houston. Since 2002, he has been working in the Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Switzerland, where he is Head of Oncological Palliative Medicine and responsible for the clinical and research activities in Palliative Oncology, also in Geriatric Oncology, Supportive Care and Cancer Rehabilitation for both in - and outpatients.

His main areas of research have been cachexia and fatigue as consequences of advanced cancer and the integration of oncology, psychosocial and end-of-life aspects of palliative care into the daily practice through monitoring patient needs for palliative interventions including symptom distress and a shared care multidisciplinary and interprofessional culture.

Apart from being involved at Swiss national level in palliative care and oncology, Dr Strasser is an active member of societies such as the European Association of Palliative Care, the European Society for Medical Oncology, ESMO (Chair of the Designated Centres for Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care Working Group), ASCO (IDEA palliative care, intl. expert palliative care) and MASCC (nutrition & cachexia, fatigue, palliative care). He supports research activities and clinical development of fellows from developing countries (such as India, Romania). Currently he is also an Associate Professor of Oncological Palliative Medicine in St.Gallen.

Dr Strasser has authored or co-authored over 100 papers and has given numerous lectures at international meetings.