Congratulations CMD Researcher and Community Member, Dr. Jeannette Erdmann!
We are thrilled to share that CMD researcher and COL6-affected community member, Jeanette Erdmann, has been named to the prestigious German Academy of Science Leopoldina!
Joining the Leopoldina is considered one of the highest honors among scientists. This society originated in 1652 to promote a scientifically enlightened culture and responsible application of scientific insight, and today has 1,600 members from nearly all branches of science. In 2008, the Leopoldina became the German National Academy of Sciences and has two main objectives: first, to represent the German scientific community internationally, and second, to provide policymakers and the public with science-based advice.
Erdmann’s career is an esteemed journey that fits well into the Leopoldina. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Cologne, Erdmann's research led her to the Institute for Human Genetics in Bonn (Germany), where she wrote her doctoral thesis. After completing her doctorate, she acted as working group leader in Berlin and Regensburg, then completed her second dissertation at the University of Regensburg.
Erdmann has been at the University of Lübeck since 2003, and in 2012 she was appointed a full professor in Lübeck. Since 2013, she has headed the newly founded Institute for Cardiogenetics, which aims to better understand the genetic factors that lead to cardiovascular diseases, for instance atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction to develop new therapies.
Erdmann says: “Since the beginning of my doctoral thesis, I have dealt with the inheritance of common, so-called complex diseases, initially with schizophrenia and depression and for 15 years now with cardiovascular diseases. For a few years now, I have expanded my field of research and we are currently developing a therapy for a rare neuromuscular disease that I diagnosed myself a few years ago.”
This achievement is particularly notable as the proportion of women scientists among the members has risen from seven to 15 percent over the past 10 years. “The admission to the Leopoldina is a double success and a great honor for me,” explains Prof. Erdmann. “On the one hand, I am pleased that my scientific work is recognized by the academy. I would like to thank my employees in particular, as well as the national and international cooperation partners of the past 15 years, without whom this success would not have been possible. On the other hand, the admission to the Leopoldina rewards the efforts of the past years and perhaps empowers more young women and people with physical limitations to embark on the fulfilling, but sometimes rocky path of an academic career. I would be extremely happy about that."
Every year, approximately 50 scientists are elected to the German National Academy of Sciences for life in a multi-stage selection process. Previous members include Marie Curie, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt, and more.
Dr. Erdmann, we are so proud to be in your company! Congratulations.
Thanks to community member George Vascik for providing a translation from the German announcement!