Cologne Bonn Region
I position myself as a transformer who turns scientific excellence, industrial experience, and international networks into impactful innovation for start ups, venture capital and strategic innovation programs in Ag & Food, Bioeconomy, Advanced Materials and Pharma. My background in chemical and process engineering is rooted in an international academic career (Germany, France, USA) and a long track record in global R&D, product design and innovation leadership in the chemical and life science industries. I understand how to convert molecules and materials into safe, efficient and scalable products and processes – from lab concept to industrial reality. As an Honorary Professor at FAU Erlangen Nuremberg, I teach “Industrial Product Design of Disperse Systems” and contribute to the external advisory board of the Collaborative Research Center 1411 “Design of Particulate Products”. Through my publications and ORCID listed research activity, I remain connected to current scientific debates in particle technology, formulation and interface science. This gives founders and investors access to both state of the art science and industry proven translation into products and processes. In parallel, I am engaged in high level European leadership and dialogue via the Tönissteiner Kreis, where I contribute as a speaker on topics such as innovation, sustainability, and Europe’s global competitiveness. This complements my technical profile with a broader geopolitical and societal vantage point – relevant for scaling deep tech ventures in a complex regulatory and funding landscape. I deliberately act as a catalyst and connector: I identify promising topics, talents, funding sources and scientific approaches, and bring them together into creative, robust and scientifically fertile innovation platforms – from early idea to scalable business model. I am available for: - Mentoring (pro bono and paid) for founders in Ag & Food, Bioeconomy, Advanced Materials and Pharma. - Advisory and sparring for VC teams in technology scouting and deep tech due diligence (particle technology, formulation, product design, process engineering). - Building collaboration ecosystems between start ups, corporates, universities and public funding bodies. - Structuring interdisciplinary innovation “power houses” from scientific problem definition and IP strategy to industry scale implementation. I am open to mentoring mandates, advisory roles in ambitious start ups, and project engagements with VC funds and innovation programs in Ag & Food, advanced materials and life science / pharma.
I am open to mentoring mandates, advisory roles in ambitious start ups, and project engagements with VC funds and innovation programs in Ag & Food, advanced materials and life science / pharma.
- Teaching and mentoring in the field of industrial product design of disperse systems, with a focus on particle technology, formulation, controlled release and product design. - Bridging academic research and industry needs in agriculture, food, bioeconomy, advanced materials and life science related applications, including via my role on the external advisory board of CRC 1411 “Design of Particulate Products”. - Supervising and advising students and young researchers who are interested in translating chemical and process engineering concepts into real world products and scalable processes. - Acting as an interface between the university and industry partners, initiating joint innovation projects and promoting open innovation and technology transfer.
- Contributing speaker and moderator in the Tönissteiner Kreis – a European network of leaders from politics, business, academia and civil society. - Bringing the perspective of chemical and process engineering, bioeconomy and innovation ecosystems into dialogues on Europe’s global role, sustainable growth and technological sovereignty. - Supporting younger leaders and talents in navigating international careers and innovation driven environments.
Across several senior roles at Bayer (formulation technology, product design, regulatory affairs, open innovation & partnerships), I led international teams, steered complex innovation portfolios and built ecosystems with start ups, research institutes and technology providers in agriculture and environmental science. This experience directly informs my current work as mentor and advisor to deep tech ventures and investors. - Coached cross functional and international teams, fostering a culture of innovation, experimentation and disciplined execution. - Acted as a sparring partner for internal innovation projects and external collaboration partners, with particular focus on translating deep technology into differentiated products and services.
Management of R&D aspects of the Environmental Science Divestment on a global level
Global responsibility for regulatory matters related to the Environmental Science - "Forstering healthy environments where we live, work and play"
Global responsibility for strategic projects (e.g. site consolidations, acquisitions) and service externalization in the areas of IT, corporate communications, logistics, technology and engineering
Management of a virtual factory comprising the three sites Holzminden, Braunschweig and Nördlingen, flavour processing technologies including beverage compound blending, natural product extractions, reaction flavours, spray drying and various encapsulation technologies
Team lead responsible for R&D in the fields of flavour and fragrance processing and delivery technologies