Prof. Dr. Petra Thürmann becomes the new Vice President for Research at Witten/Herdecke University

Prof. Dr Petra Thürmann will be the new Vice President for Research at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) from 1 November 2021. Prof Thürmann holds the Chair of Clinical Pharmacology at UW/H, is Chief Physician at Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Deputy Medical Director and is responsible for a large number of studies and research projects - often with a focus on drug safety. She is also well networked in numerous national and international administrative bodies and scientific associations. Her many years of involvement in the German government's Expert Council for the Review of Developments in the Health Care System deserve special mention. (Further details on her CV here).

"For me, academic teaching and research are important drivers of development for our knowledge society. On the one hand, the transfer to practice and politics plays a decisive role for me, but also the networking of disciplines with each other. I am delighted that my new role also encompasses the academic disciplines and issues from the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society and the Studium fundamentale centre. This diversity of perspectives is valuable for our university's contribution to finding solutions for a sustainable society," says the new Vice President.

High-performing scientist will strengthen UW/H's research profile

"Petra Thürmann is one of our most experienced and high-performing researchers and has been associated with the university in very different roles for over 20 years. Her energy and experience will significantly strengthen the research profile of the UW/H, and we look forward to a wealth of new impetus!" says Prof Dr Martin Butzlaff, President of the UW/H, welcoming the new Vice President.

Prof Dr Rudolf Leuwer, Regional Medical Director of Helios Kliniken Region West, has worked closely and fruitfully with the new Vice President for several years. "Prof. Thürmann is a multi-faceted scientist who, as Managing Director of the Helios Centre for Research and Innovation, has played a key role in shaping the research area throughout the Group. She is highly innovative, always emphatic and forward-looking, and is the perfect choice for this position."

Dr Holger Raphael, Managing Director of Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, adds: "Once again, Witten/Herdecke University has appointed one of our outstanding clinical experts to a scientific management position. This fills us with joy and pride."

The proven health expert and clinical pharmacologist will be particularly involved in cross-faculty research projects.

For the Supervisory Board, Prof. Thürmann is an ideal appointment: "With the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society, the Faculty of Health and the Studium fundamentale centre, our university is excellently positioned for complex social problems. Petra Thürmann has everything that is needed to successfully build bridges between the disciplines, departments and faculties: academic excellence, committee experience, assertiveness and, above all, a heart-warming curiosity and approachability," says Prof Uwe Schneidewind, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.