Nov 28, 2025
Helmholtz President Martin Keller appointed Honorary Professor at TU Dresden
Prof. Ursula Staudinger, Rector of TUD, presents the certificate of appointment as honorary professor to Martin Keller, President of the Helmholtz Association.
Joint Press release TU Dresden and the Helmholtz Association
A leading figure in life sciences research and bridge builder between countries, disciplines, sciences, industry, and society: In an event held in the Rectorate Ballroom on November 28, 2025, TUD Dresden University of Technology appointed Martin Keller, President of the Helmholtz Association, as Honorary Professor. With his appointment, the microbiologist will be taking over the Sustainable Energy Processes teaching field at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB). In doing so, he will strengthen a key developmental area at TUD, located at the nexus of fundamental biotechnological research and its transfer to industry and society.
Prof. Ursula Staudinger, Rector of TUD: "In Martin Keller, we are gaining an outstanding figure who uniquely combines international cutting-edge research, strategic science management as President of the Helmholtz Association, and an understanding of transfer to industry and society. His work forging links between institutions, science, and society fits perfectly with our identity as a University of Excellence that works inventively, enthusiastically, and responsibly with its partners to develop solutions to the challenges of the 21st Century. Our close collaboration with the DRESDEN-concept alliance, and in particular with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and its director Sebastian M. Schmidt, is another prime example of this."
Prof. Catherina Becker, Director of the CMCB: “Martin Keller's appointment is a major gain for the CMCB. With his outstanding expertise in applied microbiology, his experience in leading international energy research institutions, and his ability to combine fundamental research with technological application, he will reinforce a crucial future area of our research center. By combining life sciences, AI-supported methods, and process engineering, Keller will provide decisive impetus – both for our scientific orientation, and for transfer to industry and society."
Martin Keller, President of the Helmholtz Association and Honorary Professor at TUD: “It is a great honor and delight for me to accept this position of Honorary Professor at TU Dresden. The university embodies a strong, open, and internationally networked academic community that is shaping the future. Innovative breakthroughs occur where strong partnerships are at work. Our Helmholtz Institutes, the large number of joint appointments, and close cooperation with universities demonstrate how productive and enriching this collaboration is.
Background: Martin Keller
Martin Keller has been President of the Helmholtz Association since November 2025. Before this, he was Director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, USA, and President of the Alliance for Sustainable Energy – the company that operates NREL for the US Department of Energy. NREL is considered the leading research institute for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States. From 2006 to 2015, he held senior positions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, most recently as Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Environmental Sciences. Born in Germany, he studied at the University of Regensburg and earned his doctorate in microbiology. In 1996, he moved to the United States to join Diversa, a rapidly growing biotech company. Martin Keller is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He was a member of the Supervisory Board and Scientific Advisory Board of Forschungszentrum Jülich and also serves on numerous other scientific committees.
About TU Dresden
TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in Germany. With 29,000 students and 8,500 employees, 119 degree programs, and 17 faculties, it is one of Germany's largest technically-oriented universities. As TUD | The Collaborative University, it fosters collaboration across disciplines, organizations, and countries — engaging closely with science, industry, and society. TUD thus combines academic excellence with innovative strength, and regional responsibility with a global orientation – collaborative. inventive. transformative. engaged.
About CMCB
The Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB) at TU Dresden is dedicated to interdisciplinary research in the life sciences at the highest level. The core research areas of the three CMCB institutes (B CUBE, BIOTEC, CRTD) range from molecular bioengineering and the fundamentals of stem cell biology and tissue regeneration to the development of regenerative therapies.
About Helmholtz
Helmholtz contributes to solving major and pressing issues facing society, science, and industry through scientific excellence in six research areas: Energy, earth and the environment, health, information, materials, aviation, space travel, and transportation. With around 47,500 employees in 18 research centers and an annual budget of over EUR 6 billion, Helmholtz is Germany's largest scientific organization. Its work follows in the tradition of the eminent scientist Hermann von Helmholtz (1821–1894).