Change of Leadership at the Helmholtz Association
Otmar D. Wiestler and his successor Martin Keller. Image: Helmholtz/Oliver Walterscheid
Berlin, October 28, 2025 – Yesterday evening, the Helmholtz Association completed its leadership transition. At an event attended by guests from politics, science, and society, the Association bid farewell to its long-time President, Otmar D. Wiestler, while welcoming Martin Keller as his successor. Wiestler, who is stepping down after having served two full terms, was honored for his outstanding commitment and contributions to the Helmholtz Association over the past decade. With Martin Keller, an internationally respected science manager assumes the presidency. After nearly thirty years in the United States, he is returning to Germany. Most recently, Keller directed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado — one of the world’s leading research institutions for renewable energy. His term as President of the Helmholtz Association begins on November 1, 2025.
“During his tenure as President of the Helmholtz Association, Otmar D. Wiestler has given the German research system significant momentum. He has guided and shaped Helmholtz through challenging times. On behalf of the Federal Government, I wish to sincerely thank him for his dedicated work,” announced Dorothee Bär, Germany’s Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space. “With Martin Keller, an experienced and internationally recognized science manager will now take over the Helmholtz presidency. I am convinced that, through close cooperation between science and politics, we will be able to successfully tackle the considerable societal challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to our future collaboration.”
As Martin Keller emphasized: “At Helmholtz, we are ideally positioned to improve life on our planet through our research over the decades to come. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my predecessor, Otmar D. Wiestler, for that. We address major future challenges in six core research areas, and with a cross-cutting mindset that is the envy of many and unique worldwide. I very much look forward to working with our partners in politics, science, and industry to tackle the pressing questions of our time in a solution-oriented manner. Helmholtz is where the action is.”
In his inaugural address, Keller also stressed the importance of reliability and trust in science. The long-term funding provided by the Pact for Research and Innovation is, he said, a feature unique to Germany, and lays the groundwork for excellence and allows researchers to boldly explore new frontiers. Keller also called for positioning Germany as one of the world’s leading nations in research and innovation, stating: “In light of global crises such as climate change, the energy supply, health risks, and hybrid threats, we need decisive action. These are enormous challenges for the entire world — and we can only overcome them together, as a team.”
A highlight of the ceremony was the moment Otmar D. Wiestler handed his successor a sculpture of the Möbius strip, symbolically transferring the presidency: “Martin Keller embodies excellence at the intersection of science and innovation. He thinks beyond disciplinary borders and knows how to inspire large teams to achieve shared goals. He is the ideal candidate to further strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration within the Helmholtz Association and to advance the transfer from research to practice,” said Wiestler. “I wish him every success in this exciting new role. With his transatlantic perspective, he will bring valuable new impulses to Helmholtz.”
Since taking office in 2015, Otmar D. Wiestler has vigorously driven the digital transformation of the Helmholtz Association, establishing fundamental prerequisites — from implementing digital infrastructures to training and networking in data science, to sustainable data management and the sound and systematic use of artificial intelligence. Promoting young scientific talent has been a particular focus. Under his leadership, a range of programs have been developed to specifically support outstanding researchers from around the world at various stages of their careers.
Wiestler has also played a key role in expanding international partnerships — especially with countries such as Israel, the US, Canada, and Australia — thereby strengthening the Helmholtz Association’s global reach and visibility.
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