ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

ZMT International Scientific Advisory Board welcomes five new members and elects IDOS director Anna-Katharina Hornidge as new chair

ZMT has welcomed five new members to its international scientific advisory board who participated in their annual meeting this week. The newly appointed members are Professor Roberto Danovaro (Università Politecnica delle Marche), Dr Asha De Vos (Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia), Professor Anna-Katharina Hornidge (German Institute of Development and Sustainability – IDOS and University of Bonn), Professor Michael Obersteiner (University of Oxford) and Professor Torsten Schlurmann (Leibniz University Hannover).

The new cohort joins existing board members Professor Elizabeth Holland (University of the South Pacific) and Professor Bernhard Riegl, (Nova Southeastern University).

Each bringing a unique set of skills and perspectives to the board their collective expertise spans a variety of scientific fields ranging from environmental and marine sciences, marine biology, ocean education, modelling, development and knowledge sociology as well as coastal and maritime engineering.

The board elected Anna-Katharina Hornidge as its new chair. She takes over from Martin Visbeck, who concluded his term after four years. In her role she will be supported by newly-elected co-chair Michael Obersteiner.

Anna-Katharina Hornidge says: “I'm happy to take on this role as ZMT prepares for its evaluation in 2027. Being familiar with ZMT since many years I am excited and fully support the institutes strategic further development – regarding the restructuring from disciplinary departments to interdisciplinary programme areas, as well as the institute’s modelling extension TropEcS. With the energy and insight of our new and existing members, I’m confident we will continue to provide valuable guidance and support to ZMT’s mission of research, training and policy advice for sustainable coasts.”

ZMT scientific director Raimund Bleischwitz also expressed the institute’s appreciation for the board’s support and recommendations: “We are deeply grateful to all our scientific advisory board members – both new and returning – for their time, expertise, and dedication. Their counsel as our critical friends is invaluable as we navigate challenges and pursue opportunities in the year ahead. I am in particular grateful to both Anna-Katharina Hornidge and Michael Obersteiner to accept additional responsibilities as chair and vice-chair despite a number of engagements.”

ZMT’s international scientific advisory board plays a critical role in guiding the institute’s research, development, and innovation strategies. It advises ZMT leadership on the direction of scientific research and priorities and helps to align research with long-term organizational goals and emerging trends. Furthermore, it reviews the quality, relevance, and impact of ongoing and proposed scientific work as well as providing independent, objective assessments of research programs and initiatives.

Impressions |Meeting of ZMT's International Scientific Advisory Board (IWB) | 23 and 24 June 2025

• Poster session with postdoctoral researchers and board members during the meeting of ZMT's interntional Scientific Advisory Board

  A group of people are gathered in a bright indoor atrium for a professional event or conference.
  

• Poster session with postdoctoral researchers and board members during the meeting of ZMT's interntional Scientific Advisory Board

  A group of people are gathered in a bright indoor atrium for a professional event or conference.
  

• Professor Marie Fujitani during her presentation in front of IWB member and ZMT staff

  A woman is giving a presentation in a well-lit conference room with large windows. She stands at a podium with a laptop, gesturing as she speaks to an audience seated in front of her.

• Dr Nancy Oduor during her presentation in front of IWB member and ZMT staff

  A woman is giving a presentation in a well-lit conference room with large windows. She stands at a podium with a laptop, gesturing as she speaks to an audience seated in front of her.

• Poster session with postdoctoral researchers and board members during the meeting of ZMT's interntional Scientific Advisory Board

  A group of people are gathered in a bright indoor atrium for a professional event or conference.

• Poster session with postdoctoral researchers and board members during the meeting of ZMT's interntional Scientific Advisory Board

  A group of people are gathered in a bright indoor atrium for a professional event or conference.

• After the meeting of ZMT's International Scientific Advisory Board (IWB) newly-elected chair, Professor Anna-Katharina Hornidge, gives feedback to ZMT staff.

  A group of people are gathered in a sunlit indoor atrium for a presentation or discussion. The audience stands in a semicircle around a few tall cocktail tables, attentively listening to a woman speaking near a set of scientific posters.

Poster session with postdoctoral researchers and board members during the meeting of ZMT's interntional Scientific Advisory Board

Poster session with postdoctoral researchers and board members during the meeting of ZMT's interntional Scientific Advisory Board

Professor Marie Fujitani during her presentation in front of IWB member and ZMT staff

Dr Nancy Oduor during her presentation in front of IWB member and ZMT staff

Poster session with postdoctoral researchers and board members during the meeting of ZMT's interntional Scientific Advisory Board

Poster session with postdoctoral researchers and board members during the meeting of ZMT's interntional Scientific Advisory Board

After the meeting of ZMT's International Scientific Advisory Board (IWB) newly-elected chair, Professor Anna-Katharina Hornidge, gives feedback to ZMT staff.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•