Prof. Dr Matthias Hochgürtel is to become the new Vice-President for Research and Knowledge Transfer

Prof. Dr Matthias Hochgürtel studied chemistry at the Rheinische Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and obtained his doctorate at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Heidelberg. Before being appointed to the TH Köln in 2010, he gained extensive management experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Among other things, he was in charge of the Heidelberg research site of Alantos Pharmaceuticals AG (later Amgen) in the field of preclinical drug discovery. As co-founder and managing director of X2-Pharma GmbH, he also possesses in-depth expertise in the strategic development and financing of early-stage drug programmes. At the Technical University of Cologne, Hochgürtel is Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Analytics at the Leverkusen campus. Since 2012, he has served as Dean of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences there and has played a key role in shaping its development and strategic direction.

Transformation-oriented science

“Prof. Dr Matthias Hochgürtel possesses outstanding academic expertise and many years’ leadership experience in academic self-governance. As Dean of the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, he has visibly established the fledgling Leverkusen campus within regional and disciplinary networks, consolidated research structures and systematically promoted the development of early-career researchers,” said the President of TH Köln, Prof. Dr Sylvia Heuchemer. “I am convinced that, with his clear vision for the further development of research and knowledge transfer, Prof. Dr Hochgürtel can provide precisely the impetus needed to strengthen the profile of TH Köln as a transformation-oriented university in the long term.”

Prof. Dr Ulrich Radtke, Chair of the University Council at Cologne University of Applied Sciences, commented on the election: “Prof. Dr Hochgürtel was elected today by the University Electoral Assembly without any dissenting votes. This provides an excellent foundation for his work as Vice-President and speaks to the recognition of his expertise within the university.”

“I would like to thank the University Electoral Assembly, the members of the Selection Committee and the President for the trust they have placed in me,” said Prof. Dr Matthias Hochgürtel. “Applied research is the foundation of social progress – and the driving force behind excellent, project-based teaching. I would like to further develop TH Köln as a powerful driving force for the region: with high-profile research areas and innovative formats for knowledge transfer. Together with all stakeholders, we will strengthen the integration of teaching, research and academic training, support talent at every stage of their careers, and thereby create measurable added value for the economy, society and the future viability of our region.”