Professor Bernd Pichler new member of the Leopoldina

The Leopoldina - National Academy of Sciences, located in Halle (Saale), is one of the oldest existing academic academies. It is under the patronage of the Federal President and sees itself as an institution that represents the voice of science in the social debate in an economically and politically independent way. Currently more than 1,500 members from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and many other countries are involved in the free development of science as well as the scientific, political and public discussion of socially relevant future topics. They are also involved in the promotion of young researchers and are committed to the protection of human rights by persecuted scientists. Existing active members of the Leopoldina each year propose new members who have performed outstanding scientific achievements in their field. The application is then followed by a multi-stage electoral process in which the 12 members of the Presidium and currently 39 senators must largely agree.