New president at the Helmholtz Association: Otmar D. Wiestler takes over the helm

Otmar D. Wiestler, former Chairman of the Board of Directors at the German Cancer Research Center, has today assumed office as President of the Helmholtz Association.He is taking over from Jürgen Mlynek, who has stepped down after ten years and two terms in office.

Cancer researcher Otmar D. Wiestler has ambitious plans for his time in office.“I will visit all 18 Helmholtz Centres by the end of the year to get a good idea of the overall workings of the association,” he says.“I want to gain direct insight into the research activities and profiles of our centres, speak personally with our employees, exchange ideas with them, and hear any suggestions they have, especially our young researchers.” In addition, Wiestler would like to discuss future plans and potential challenges with the centres’ directors and come up with a set of recommendations for the further development of the Helmholtz Association.

Outgoing Helmholtz President Jürgen Mlynek has stepped down after ten years in office.“I wish Mr Wiestler every success in this exciting new venture.The Helmholtz Association is ready for the future,” he says.

“After ten years at the German Cancer Research Center, I look forward to this new challenge”

Since 2004, Otmar D. Wiestler had been Chairman of the Board of Directors and Scientific Director of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, wherehe achieved a great deal.He recruited outstanding researchers and established the DKFZ as one of the leading research institutes worldwide, particularly in cancer stem cells, brain tumours and cancer genomics.Most notably, Wiestler played a significant role in shaping and further developing the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg, an institute run jointly by the DKFZ and Heidelberg University Hospital, making it Germany’s first Comprehensive Cancer Center.The centre combines interdisciplinary medical care of cancer patients with world-class research and training.The idea was taken further in the German Cancer Consortium, with seven DKFZ partner sites.

The future for Helmholtz

According to the new Helmholtz President, the association is already pushing innovation forward in areas such as health research, and is an important driving force in other socially relevant fields, for example energy research and innovative IT technology.“I am confident that we can complete a full cycle of innovation within our fields of expertise,” says Wiestler, “from basic research to further research and development right through to application and back.” This would also require, he adds, forming strategic partnerships with universities, non-university research institutes and companies.Wiestler also intends to provide even greater support for young researchers, as he believes “Helmholtz has great potential to attract the best and brightest minds to our research community.”

The new President of the Helmholtz Association is looking forward to the projects that lie ahead: “The tasks I face are now even more complex,” he says. “I will need to learn a lot, but I am very much looking forward to the coming years.”

Otmar Wiestler thanks his predecessor Jürgen Mlynek for a decade of service to the Helmholtz Association, during which time, he says, the association has progressed tremendously.

For more information on Otmar D. Wiestler, visit:

http://www.helmholtz.de/praesident

You can find an interview with Otmar D. Wiestler at:

http://www.helmholtz.de/interview-wiestler