Research

Main research interests:

Diagnostic imaging in ophthalmology

Orbital diseases

Ophthalmooncology

Diseases of the ocular adnexa

Biomechanical aspects of accommodation and lens implantation

Ophthalmology in sub-Saharan Africa

Honours and Memberships

• 2014 von Graefe-Preis of the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG)
• 2006 Award “Professor of the Year“ from the Association of German Universities and Colleges (DHV)
• since 2005 Member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• since 2005 Member of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS)
• 2005 Award “Löhn-Preis” from the Steinbeis Foundation for specific knowledge and technology transfer
• 2004 “Tropical Ophthalmology Award” from the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG)
• since 2003 Member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS)
• since 2003 Honorary member of the Hungarian Ophthalmological Society
• 1993 Award “Leonhard-Klein-Preis” from the German Society of Ophthalmology
• since 1991 Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
• since 1987 Member of the European society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS)
• since 1987 Member of the Societas Internationalis pro Diagnostica Ultrasonica in Ophthalmologia (SIDUO)
• since 1978 Member of the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG)

Career

• 1992-2014 Professor of Ophthalmology, Head of the University Eye Department at the University of Rostock, Germany
• 1991 Appointment to professorship at the University of Hamburg, Germany
• 1985-1992 Senior Specialist in Ophthalmology at the University Eye Department Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
• 1985 Habilitation at the University of Hamburg (Qualification for lecturing at Universities, Germany
• 1982 Acknowledgement as Specialist in Ophthalmology
• 1975 License to practice medicine
• 1974 University Degree in Medicine (M.D.) at the Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University of Frankfurt / Main, Germany
• 1967-1974 Medical Studies at Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University of Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Projects

• 2009-2014 Project coordination in the research project REMEDIS, A1, “Injizierbare Polymere in der Kataraktchirurgie für akkommodierende Linsen und Medikamententräger, REMEDIS, B2, “Funktionalisierte biodegradierbare Mikroimplantate für die Glaukomtherapie und die Katarakt“ and REMEDIS, C1, “In vivo Imaging ophthalogische Implantat- und Drainagesysteme“
• 2009-2012 BMBF- Rahmenprogramm “Mikrosysteme 2004-2009“ Verbundprojekt: Grundlagen für ein künstliches Akkommodationssystem – KueAkk – Teilvorhaben: “Ophthalmologische Grundlagen für ein künstliches Akkommodationssystem“
• 2007-2012 Project coordination in the research project SFB Transregio 37, Q1, “Zelluläre Lasermikroskopie“ and SFB Transregio 37 and C3, “Mikrostent für die Ophthalmologie“

Functions

• since 2013 President of the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS)
• since 2006 Vice-Dean for Scientific Affairs and Research Development of the Medical Faculty of Rostock University, Germany
• 2000-2004 Dean of the Medical Faculty of Rostock University, Germany
• 2000-2001 President of the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG)
• 1999-2000 Vice-President of the DOG
• 1998-2006 Secretary of the European Soeciety of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS)
• 1996-1999 Treasurer of the DOG
• since 1995 Member of the Executive Board of the DOG