INFRAFRONTIER appoints new Administrative Managing Director
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael Raess as INFRAFRONTIER ERIC’s new Administrative Managing Director, succeeding Daniela Sommer, who has successfully led the organisation over the past years.
A strong background in science and research management
Dr. Michael Raess brings extensive experience in biomedical research, management, science communication, and international research infrastructure coordination. He completed his doctoral studies in behavioural physiology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich and the Max Planck Institute of Behavioural Physiology, where his research focused on physiological and behavioural adaptations to different environments.
In 2008, Dr. Raess joined Helmholtz Munich as Lead Project Manager for the INFRAFRONTIER Preparatory Phase and Head of the INFRAFRONTIER Project Office. In this capacity, he was instrumental in shaping the foundation of INFRAFRONTIER as a European research infrastructure for modelling human diseases, coordinating large-scale collaborations, and securing long-term support from national and European partners.
Since 2014, he has served as Head of General Management of INFRAFRONTIER GmbH (now INFRAFRONTIER ERIC), overseeing its strategic operations, financial and administrative management, and stakeholder engagement.
“I am truly honoured that the General Assembly has entrusted me with this important responsibility. I am excited to draw on my many years of experience and to work hand in hand with the General Assembly, the Board of National Nodes, the entire INFRAFRONTIER team, and especially my colleague Prof. Dr. Johannes Beckers as we advance the sustainable development of INFRAFRONTIER together.”
Dr. Michael Raess.
Building on a strong foundation
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Daniela Sommer for her outstanding commitment and leadership as Administrative Managing Director. Under her guidance, INFRAFRONTIER consolidated its position as a leading European research infrastructure, expanded its service portfolio, and successfully transitioned to INFRAFRONTIER ERIC, enhancing its sustainability and international visibility.
As Dr. Raess steps into this new role, we look forward to building on the solid foundation laid over the past years and continuing our mission to enable cutting-edge biomedical research through the development of appropriate human disease models.