Executive Board

The immunologist Joachim Schultze assumed the role as Scientific Director and Chair of the DZNE Executive Board in January 2026 and is responsible for the center’s scientific and strategic direction. His vision is to advance research at the DZNE within an integrated program as leading national center for neurodegeneration and brain health. Building on the DZNE’s strengths in basic research, clinical research, health services research, systems medicine, and population sciences, the DZNE will open up new fields of research—such as the influence of viruses and vaccinations on neurodegenerative diseases—apply modern methods including artificial intelligence and “swarm learning,” and establish new partnerships. The goal is to understand how genes, lifestyle, environment, and the immune system interact—not only in neurodegeneration but also in normal aging processes. This understanding will not only open up new therapeutic approaches but also enable personalized or targeted prevention and sustainably improved brain health.

Joachim Schultze has been Director of Systems Medicine at the DZNE since 2020. He conducts research at the interface of immunology, genomics, and computer science to develop precision medicine for patients. Since 2007, he has been Professor of Genomics and Immune Regulation at the University of Bonn. Before coming to Bonn, Joachim Schultze researched and worked at the University of Cologne, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University, and the University of Freiburg.

Since the founding of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in 2009, Susanne Wolf has headed the Department of Human Resources and Organization. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic direction and operational implementation of all HR- and organization-related processes and plays a key role in the continuous development of DZNE’s administrative structures.Prior to this, she spent more than two decades in various positions within the German federal administration, including at the Federal Ministry of Education, Research and Technology and the Federal Office of Defense Administration. This extensive experience, together with her background as a Diplomverwaltungswirtin (graduate in public administration), forms the foundation of her recognized expertise in administrative leadership, human resources management and organizational development.

Susanne Wolf regularly has served as Deputy Administrative Director and has also assumed the role of Interim Administrative Director during a previous interim phase. In addition, she also for several years took on the role as Chair of the Human Resources Working Group of the Helmholtz Association, where she has played a significant role in shaping collaboration and professional exchange among the centers.