Professor Klein was admitted to the Leopoldina
Admission to the oldest learned society is considered a special distinction for scientific excellence, recognizing the physician's outstanding contributions to viral and immunological infection research.
The Leopoldina brings together researchers with high levels of expertise from various fields. The academy represents German science abroad and advises politicians and the public on relevant scientific issues. To this end, the academy addresses current and long-term relevant topics and develops well-founded statements and recommendations, independent of political and economic interests. This promotes dialogue between science, the public, and political decision-makers.
"I am delighted to receive this special award. Scientific findings are of great importance to progress and our shared well-being. However, this foundation can be jeopardized, as many current examples demonstrate. I am thrilled to advocate for the unique role of science within the Leopoldina and to share scientific findings from my field with a broad audience," says Professor Klein.
Professor Klein's research focuses on the development of human B lymphocytes and their production of antibodies. His team is particularly investigating the antibody response against viral pathogens such as HIV, HCV, Ebola viruses, and SARS-CoV-2. Prof. Klein is developing broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that can be used to prevent and treat infectious diseases. Together with his team and collaborating research groups, Professor Klein translates fundamental findings into new applications for clinical practice.
Professor Klein studied medicine in Cologne, Zurich, Bologna, and Boston from 1998 to 2005. After working as a junior doctor at Clinic I for Internal Medicine in Cologne, he moved to Rockefeller University in New York in 2009. There, he specialized in researching the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and antibody-mediated vaccination and therapy. In 2013, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Clinical Investigation. In 2015, he was appointed to a DFG Heisenberg professorship at Cologne University Hospital. Since 2017, Professor Klein has been the Chair and Director of the Institute of Virology at Cologne University Hospital. He has received numerous awards for his scientific work, including the Georges Köhler Prize from the German Society for Immunology, the Prize for Translational Infection Research from the German Center for Infection Research, the German AIDS Prize, and the Heinz Ansmann Prize for HIV Research. Prof. Klein has also been one of the world's most cited scientists in his field for several years.
The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina is one of the world's oldest continuously operating academies. Founded in 1652, it currently unites approximately 1,700 scientists from over 30 countries and nearly all research disciplines. The Leopoldina represents Germany internationally in scientific committees and advises the G7 and G20 summits. It also maintains an intensive exchange with other academies. New members are elected according to strict excellence criteria in a multi-stage process. The Leopoldina is committed to the common good and considers itself the voice of science in an open, democratic society. Membership is voluntary, independent, and open-ended.
This message has been modified by the CMMC (K. Heber & D. Grosskopf-Kroiher) and is based on the text by the press and communications team of the University Hospital Cologne (original German version here).