The German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina e. V. - National Academy of Sciences, short Leopoldina, has unanimously confirmed the re-election of Prof. Dr. Axel Brakhage as Chairman. Axel Brakhage thus remains Chairman and Senator of Section 13 - Microbiology and Immunology, of which he has been a member of the Leopoldina since 2020. His second term of office begins in March 2024 and will last 4 years.

After several professional positions in Germany and abroad, Axel Brakhage has been Director of the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) since 2005 and is also Head of the Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology. Since 2004, he has also been Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Biology at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. He has been an elected member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina since 2008. His research focuses on the infection biology of human-pathogenic fungi, the search for antimicrobial agents from microorganisms, as well as microbial communication and functional microbiome research. This research forms the basis for the development of new diagnostics and drugs against pathogenic microorganisms, especially fungi. In the Leopoldina, Brakhage, who is currently also Vice President of the German Research Foundation, is committed to the topics of antibiotic resistance and missing active agents, One Health, infections and genetic engineering.

Founded in 1652 and based in Halle (Saale), the Leopoldina is the oldest scientific-medical scholarly society in the German-speaking countries and the oldest permanently existing academy of natural sciences in the world. In 2008, it was appointed Germany’s National Academy of Sciences. In this function, the Academy has two special tasks: representing German science abroad and advising politicians and the public. The approximately 1,600 researchers, who are committed to the common good, act independently of economic or political interests and work on important social issues of the future based on science. All results are communicated to the public and to politicians. The Leopoldina represents its topics at both national and international level.

In its mission statement, the Leopoldina is primarily committed to the freedom and appreciation of science. In this way, the Academy aims to contribute to a scientifically enlightened society and the responsible application of scientific knowledge for the benefit of mankind and nature. As an interdisciplinary association, it transcends thematic, professional, political and cultural boundaries and stands up for respect for human rights.

We congratulate Prof. Dr. Axel Brakhage on his re-elections in the Leopoldina.