Transatlantic Research and Innovation: Competition or Collaboration?
- Monday, 30. June 2025, 17:00
- Health + Life Science Alliance, Tiergartenstraße 15, 4.OG, 69121 Heidelberg
- Prof. Dr. Katja Patzel-Mattern, Vice Rector for Innovation and Transfer of University Heidelberg
- Dr. Jan Lüdert, Head of Programs at DWIH New York
- Dr. Ann-Kristin Müller, Head of the first German Branch of BioLabs in Heidelberg
- Dr. Katja Simons, Executive Director at the Heidelberg University Association in New York
- Eva Zauke, Member of the Board of Directors of Bystronic AG, Member of the Heidelberg University Council
This event will examine the current transatlantic research and innovation landscape that has emerged in a rapidly changing global landscape, and how institutions are adjusting to these changes. As the transatlantic research space faces evolving dynamics, a panel will explore the rebalancing needed for future innovation to engage in collaboration under conditions of increasing competition.
Address
Health + Life Science Alliance, Tiergartenstraße 15, 4.OG, 69121 Heidelberg
Organizer
Event Type
Discussion
Contact
The Content
Key topics of the conversation include:
- A discussion on the state of collaboration between Europe and the U.S., highlighting successes and challenges in maintaining strong research and innovation partnerships.
- Exploring how institutions, universities, incubators, and research centers are adapting their strategies in response to shifts in political, economic, and technological environments.
- Insights into how researchers and institutions can successfully navigate the transformed transatlantic research landscape, balancing competition with continued cooperation.
This event provides a platform to explore the future of transatlantic research and innovation, offering valuable insights into how to navigate the changing landscape and continue fostering productive partnerships.
The conversation will be followed by a networking BBQ to foster further collaboration and exchange.
The event is organized by hei_INNOVATION in collaboration with the German Center for Research and Innovation New York and the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim.
The Panelists
Prof. Dr. Katja Patzel-Mattern
Vice Rector for Innovation and Transfer of University Heidelberg
has held the Chair of Economic and Social History at Heidelberg University since 2015. She currently serves as Vice-Rector and has previously held leadership roles including Dean of Studies and Equal Opportunity Officer of the Faculty of Philosophy.
She studied history, political science, and communication at the University of Münster and the Universidad de Barcelona, received her PhD in 1994 (Münster), and completed her habilitation in 2008 at the University of Konstanz.
Her research focuses on economic and corporate history, social and childhood history, gender studies, and memory and knowledge history. She is actively involved in academic governance, research evaluation (e.g. DFG, SNF), and mentoring, and has served on various advisory boards and steering committees.
Jan Lüdert
Head of Programs at DWIH New York
Dr. Jan Lüdert is Program Director at the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York. His work focuses on science diplomacy and transatlantic initiatives at the intersection of science, technology, and innovation.
Previously, he served as Associate Professor and Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the City University of Seattle. Research appointments have taken him to institutions such as the Ralph Bunche Institute (CUNY Graduate Center) and Philipps University Marburg (DFG project “Dynamics of Security”). He is an alumnus of the World Affairs Council Fellows program in Seattle and the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
He earned his PhD in International Relations/Political Science from UBC in Vancouver and holds the Public Leadership Credential from the Harvard Kennedy School. Additional degrees include an M.A. (First-Class Honours) in International Relations from the Australian National University and a B.A. in Public Policy from HWP Hamburg. He also studied at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and coordinated development programs in Botswana for Skillshare International.
Dr. Ann-Kristin Müller
Head of the first German branch of BioLabs in Heidelberg
Ann-Kristin Müller is an infectiologist and after completing her doctorate and working in London and Würzburg, she spent nine years leading a malaria research group at Heidelberg University Hospital, which led to her founding a spin-off. In 2018, she left university research completely for the start-up world.
Dr. Katja Simons
Executive Director at Heidelberg University Association in New York
Katja Simons has been the Executive Director of Heidelberg University Association, the North America liaison office in New York, since September 2024. Katja has a strong background in nonprofit, higher education and research management, and has experience with building international networks and university partnerships, as well as alumni relations.
Previously she was Executive Director at other German university liaison offices in the German House in New York, and was the founding Director of GAIN, a network of researchers and scholars in North America, at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in New York. She has also worked at the Institute of International Education for the Generation Study Abroad initiative in New York. Katja studied sociology, political science, and history at the University of Freiburg and at Freie Universität Berlin in the 1990s, and she received her doctorate in the social sciences at the Ruhr-University Bochum in 2002.
Eva Zauke
member of the Board of Directors of Bystronic AG, member of the Heidelberg University Council
Eva Zauke is a member of the Board of Directors of Bystronic AG, Switzerland. Until the end of 2024, she was Executive Vice President for Software Engineering at SAP SE and Engineering Location Lead for the SAP headquarters in Walldorf.
Since joining SAP in 2005, she has held various management positions along the value chain (product management, engineering, go-to-market, education). Her professional career began at Deutsche Bahn, followed by a series of consulting and management roles at Oracle and Deutsche Post DHL Group.
Eva Zauke has a degree in computer science from the University of Bonn and in business management from the University of Hagen.
She has been a member of the Heidelberg University Council since 2020.
