Research

Scientific focus: History of psychiatry, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis; medicine in the age of Goethe, in particular history of mesmerism; medicine in early modern times, in particular history of paracelsianism and "natural magic"; medical anthropology in historical perspective

Career

• since 1987 Professor (C4) for the History of Medicine and Director of the Institute of the History of Medicine, University of Bonn, Germany
• 1982 Habilitation and venia legendi for the History of Medicine
• 1978-1987 Research assistant at the Institute of the History of Medicine, University of Freiburg im Breisgau (Director: Prof. Dr. E. Seidler), Germany
• 1978 Obtained Dr. phil. at the Faculty of Philosophy of Heidelberg University (Doctoral supervisor: Prof. Dr. M. Theunissen), Germany
• 1972-1977 Philosophy degree studies at the University of Munich and Heidelberg University, Germany
• 1975 Licensed to practice as a doctor after completing the required medical internships  ECFMG (American Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certification
• 1974 Obtained doctorate (Dr. med.) at the Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University (Doctoral supervisor: Prof. Dr. W. Jacob), Germany
• 1971 Medical examination (state examination) at the Technical University Munich (TUM), Germany
• 1966-1971 Medical degree studies (Heidelberg University, Technical University Munich (TUM), University of Glasgow)

Functions

(Selection)

• 2010-2020 Leopoldina Presidium Appointee for Archive, Library and Long-Term Projects
• since 2009 President of the Viktor von Weizsäcker Society
• 2002-2008 President of the German Association for the History of Medicine
• 1992-2000 Expert reviewer for the DFG; Chair of the Expert Committee since 1996
• 1991-1994 President of the German Society for the History of Medicine, Science and Technology