Curriculum vitae
| Business Address | Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg Von-Danckelmann-Platz 2 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany Tel.: +49 (0)345 5522707 Fax: +49 (0)345 5527124 |
| Place of Birth | Erbendorf, District of Tirschenreuth, Germany |
| Education | • Degree in Nutritional Science (Diploma), Technical University of Munich • Medical studies (First State Examination), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
| Professional Career | • 1990: Research Assistant, Bromatology Working Group, Technical University of Munich • 1990–1993: Research Associate, Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Technical University of Munich • 1993: Doctorate (Dr. oec. troph., summa cum laude) • 1993–1998: Assistant Professor, Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Technical University of Munich • 1998: Habilitation in Nutritional Physiology and Human Nutrition • 1998–2000: Private Lecturer, Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Technical University of Munich • 2003–2004: Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Hamburg (declined an appointment to the University of Vienna in 2003) • 2004–present: Professor of Human Nutrition, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (declined offers in 2017 for the University of Jena and the presidency of the Max Rubner Institute, Karlsruhe) |
| Honors and Awards | • 1995: Dissertation Award, H. Wilhelm Schaumann Foundation • 1996: Scientific Award, Dr. Heinrich Baur Foundation, Technical University of Munich • 1998: Research Award, Henneberg-Lehmann Foundation, University of Göttingen • 2012: Elected Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina • 2013: Elected Member, Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Leipzig • 2015: Transfer Award, City of Halle and Martin Luther University, for excellence in transferring research findings to society |
| Memberships and Advisory Roles | • Since 1998: Member, Society of Nutritional Physiology • Since 2015: Member of the Executive Board, German Nutrition Society • 2016–2025: Member, Specialist Commission, Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) • 2018–2022: Member, Advisory Board, Max Rubner Institute • 2023–2025: Member, Advisory Board, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) |
| Research Interests | • Metabolism and physiological significance of sterols (7-dehydrocholesterol, ergosterol, lumisterol) and secosteroids (vitamin D, tachysterol) • Biomarkers for vitamin D status • Regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) • Health effects of short-chain fatty acids • Biofunctionality of plant proteins |
| Publications | Approximately 220 original articles in peer-reviewed journals |