Head of Department of Paediatric Neurology and Center for neuromuscular disorders in children and adolescents, University Clinic Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Chairwoman of the Ethics Committee, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Education summary
1991 – 1997 - Education in Paediatrics, Paediatric Outpatient Centre, City Hospital Gelsenkirchen, Children ́s Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
Since 1992 - working in the field of Paediatric Neurology, exam in Paediatric Neurology in 2006
Since 1996 - working in the field of Neuromuscular Disorders
1998 - 2002 - Senior Paediatric Neurology, Children ́s University Hospital Bochum, Germany
2002 – 2003 - Head of Paediatric Neurology, Children ́s University Hospital Bochum, Germany
2004 – 2006 - Head of Paediatric Neurology, Children ́s Hospital, City of Neuss, Germany
2007 - today Head of Department of Paediatric Neurology and Center of Neuromuscular Disorders in Children and Adolescents, Children´s University Clinic Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Since 01/2012 - Full Professorship Paediatric Neurology/Neuromuscular Disorders
Since June 2017 - Chairwoman of the Ethics Committee, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Career summary
After my exam in Paediatrics I decided to specialise in Paediatric Neurology. In 1996 we built up a centre for neuromuscular disorders for children and adolescents in Bochum, I started my career in this field in clinical and scientific work with Prof. W. Mortier. In 2004 I changed the hospital for a leading position in Neuss where I could successfully build up a neuromuscular centre for children and adolescents in my responsibility, during this time I started my work in different commissions.
In 2007 I returned to the University Clinic in Essen and took over the Department of Paediatric Neurology with the well established Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, former headed by Prof. Th. Voit. This was a really good chance to intensify my clinical and scientific work, build up new national and international collaborations.
In 2008 I finished my Habilitation and in 2012 I could successfully complete my application for a full professorship in Essen. We are running national and international studies mostly in the neuromuscular field in our study centre, increasing activities in translational science and follow-up patients with all kind of neuromuscular disorders. I am a member of ERN NMD, active in several working groups and hosted the ERN NMD Conference in Essen in 2025.
As a consequence of my work in clinical studies as PI or my work in scientific exchange I was heavily involved in study protocols and the work in the ethics committee which combines academics, industry, ethics and law, in 2017 I became the chairwoman of ethics committee.
I am a board member in several peer reviewed journals including Neuromuscular Disorders, author of two books and of several book chapters about Neuromuscular Disorders.
What is the personal or professional achievement you’re most proud of?
Professional achievement: my Professorship in 2012 and successfully running my Paediatric Neurology department with my team.
International networking and collaborations, mentorship for younger colleagues in our faculty and other universities in Germany, Europe and globally in the ENMC Mentoring Programme,
Being elected as the chairwoman of our Ethics Committee by the Medical Faculty
Personal achievement: my decision combining a wonderful daughter, husband and the job
Why did you first join the WMS?
I wanted to come into contact with other colleagues in the field of neuromuscular disorders to learn and discuss clinical and scientific topics in the field, I wanted to share my scientific work on the WMS Congresses.
Finally, I wanted to be informed about the work in this society and tried to bring in my experiences in different parts.
What is your goal in joining the Executive Board?
I would like to bring in my long experience of board work, as I was the president of the German speaking Paediatric Neurology Society (GNP), currently I am Vice president of the GNP, board member of the German Muscle Society and board member of ENMC Executive Board.
I have a huge experience in the field of clinical studies. I have experience in the discussions with different stakeholders, regulators and patient organisations. Currently, I am responsible with two other colleagues for building up a national registry for DMD which brings together all these groups in a constructive and transparent manner. I am interested to do this work also on the global level with all the different situations in different countries. I believe with my experiences and motivation I can contribute the work for the WMS and by this for the patients.
