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Prof. Dr. Anna Köttgen has been admitted to the German National Academy of Sciences - Leopoldina / The election is considered one of the highest honors for scientists

Prof. Dr. Anna Köttgen has been a member of the German National Academy of Sciences - Leopoldina since June 2021. Köttgen isProfessor ofGenetic Epidemiology at the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg and Director of the Institute of Genetic Epidemiology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. She is internationally recognized as an expert in the analysis of highly complex genome data, which are examined in population-wide studies. She is particularly interested in the genetic causes of kidney disease, gout and other metabolic diseases. Being elected a member of the Leopoldina is one of the highest academic honors and recognitions for scientists.

"I am delighted that the Leopoldina recognizes the scientific excellence in Freiburg. Prof. Köttgen is an excellent choice. In her research, she repeatedly succeeds in tracing complex diseases back to their genetic causes using the latest methods," said Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg. "This is a key to better understanding and treating common diseases that arise from the interaction of several genetic changes and environmental factors."

About the person:

After studying medicine and obtaining her doctorate at the University of Freiburg, Köttgen completed the Master of Public Health program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School in Baltimore, USA, where she subsequently worked as a postdoctoral researcher. She was later appointed adjunct professor there. In 2009, Köttgen returned to Germany and established an Emmy Noether Junior Research Group of the German Research Foundation at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. In 2011, Köttgen habilitated in experimental medicine at the University of Freiburg and was appointed to the Heisenberg Professorship for Genetic Epidemiology in 2016. Köttgen is the spokesperson for the Collaborative Research Center 1453 "Nephrogenetics" (NephGen) and a member of the Cluster of Excellence CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies at the University of Freiburg.

The Leopoldina

The Leopoldina, founded in 1652, is one of the oldest scientific academies in the world. With around 1,500 members, the Leopoldina brings together outstanding scientists from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and numerous other countries. As Germany's national academy, the Leopoldina has represented German science in international bodies since 2008 and takes an independent position on the scientific basis of political and social issues. In interdisciplinary expert groups, the Leopoldina develops public statements on current topics, also together with other German, European and international academies.

Caption: Prof. Dr. Anna Köttgen
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg / Britt Schilling

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Anna Köttgen
Director
Institute of Genetic Epidemiology
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-78050
anna.koettgen@uniklinik-freiburg.de