Lucas Wetzel

Chief Scientific Officer @ anabrid GmbH | Leading innovation and R&D projects

Greater Dresden Area

About

I don’t just explore the "what if" - I’m obsessed with the "how do we get it done?" As Chief Scientific Officer at anabrid GmbH, I lead R&D in unconventional computing. My sweet spot is the bridge between basic science and real-world application. I believe the most profound innovations aren't found in silos, but at the intersection of interdisciplinary collaboration, market need, and a clear vision. My Track Record: - Scaling the "Impossible": Led the development of REDAC - the world’s largest Reconfigurable Discrete Analog Computer. - Precision Engineering: Directed the VIP-Validation on PLL-Synchronization, proving that high-level theory can survive the rigors of real-world application. - Scientific Foundation: Facilitated high-impact R&D projects at the Max Planck Institute, coordinating complex collaborations with Fraunhofer IZM and TU Dresden. Leadership: From the Lab to the Gridiron I believe leadership is about fostering a culture where all questions can be asked and novel ideas meet high-performance results. My approach is defined by two distinct worlds: - In Research: I empower interdisciplinary teams to navigate complex engineering challenges, ensuring that "unconventional" ideas become "essential" solutions. - In Professional Sports: My experience with the Dresden Monarchs (American Football) taught me that a perfect playbook is nothing without elite execution, discipline, and a team that trusts each other under pressure. I bring that same "gridiron" mentality to R&D - translating high-level strategy into lasting results. I build on a foundation of deep technical research, market assessment, curiosity, open-mindedness, and the intercultural skills necessary to lead global teams in a complex, tech-driven world.

Experience

  • anabrid GmbH (Hybrid)
    • Chief Scientific Officer
      Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

    • Project Manager and R&D
      Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

  • Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme (Dresden, Saxony, Germany)
    • Project Manager
      Jul 2019 - Present · 7 yrs

      PROJECT LEADER of VIP+ validation project “PLL synchronization” Coordination of collaboration with Fraunhofer IZM Assid and the TU-Dresden.

    • Project Manager, Researcher
      Nov 2017 - Present · 8 yrs 8 mos

      PROJECT LEADER at Max-Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems Coordination of research in collaboration with international team of 12 scientists. Published research articles, presented our work at international conferences. Planned validation program to transfer research results to industrial application. Supervising a PhD student and guest scientist in distinct research projects.

    • Paternity leave and part time patent and project management at MPI-PKS
      Mar 2017 - Nov 2017 · 9 mos

      Part time patent and project management

  • Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (8 yrs 9 mos)
    • Postdoctoral Researcher, Project Leader
      Nov 2012 - Mar 2017 · 4 yrs 5 mos

      Managing a project collaboration with the Vodafone Chair at the TU-Dresden within the bio-path of the CfAED cluster. We work on a novel concept for self-organized synchronization in spatially distributed electronic clock networks with applications in, e.g., data-center synchronization, distributed massive MIMO wireless communications and the coordination of spatially distributed electronic systems in general. Patented novel synchronization concept for modern electronic systems. Established research collaborations on “Self-organized synchronization in networks of delay coupled electronic clocks in theory and experiment” Coordination of research in collaboration with international team of 12 scientists. Published research articles, presented our work at international conferences. Planning validation program to transfer research results to industrial application. Supervising PhD student and guest scientist in distinct research projects. Initiated outreach and communication with industry and Fraunhofer institutes. Organized biweekly Nuclear Lounge after science event with up to 30 participants.

    • PhD student
      Jul 2008 - Oct 2012 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      Exploring the effects of distributed delays in systems of coupled phase oscillators.

  • Paternity leave at Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme
    Feb 2015 - Apr 2015 · 3 mos

  • Teaching assistant at TU Dresden
    Oct 2010 - Jun 2011 · 9 mos

    Practical course in experimental physics