Germany – Science Powerhouse: Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation in Turbulent Times

Join DWIH New York and the Science and Technology Section of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, D.C., for insightful presentations and discussions at the symposium “Germany – Science Powerhouse: Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation in Turbulent Times”.

The diversity of the German research and innovation system is the foundation of its success. Research and development is carried out at a large number of universities, public research institutions and private companies. Among them are many internationally leading non-university research centers, such as the Helmholtz Association, Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer Society, and Leibniz Association.

The aim of the symposium “Germany – Science Powerhouse: Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation in Turbulent Times” is to present and discuss the strengths of and prospects for German research and innovation system in the current geopolitical environment. Representatives of the German science community and research-oriented German companies in the United States will present their approaches and strategies to increase excellence in research and innovation and discuss them with event participants in a moderated expert panel.

Schedule:

Moderation: Evelina Santa-Kahle, Science Counselor, German Embassy

Jean Froehly, Head of the Economic Department, German Embassy (9:00 a.m.-9:05 a.m.)

Welcome and Greeting

René Haak, Head of the Science and Technology Section, German Embassy (9:05 a.m.-9:15 a.m.)

Introduction to the Topic: Germany – Science Powerhouse: Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation in Turbulent Times

Presentations:

Thomas Schuelke, President, Fraunhofer USA (9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.)

Fraunhofer’s Approach to Transatlantic Cooperation in Applied Research

Mridul Agrawal, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and iuvando Health GmbH, Digital Health/Precision Oncology Startup Mannheim, German (9:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m.)

Germany as a Lighthouse for Clinical Cancer Research and Equitable Patient Access to State-of-the-Art Medicine: Progress and Perspectives

Zahar Barth-Manzoori, Director, DWIH – German Center for Research and Innovation San Francisco (9:45 a.m.-10:00 a.m.)

Fostering Entrepreneurship in Higher Education: Recommendations from a Comparative Study between Silicon Valley and Germany

Coffee Break (10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.)

Moderation: Yannic A. Arnold; GK Boston Science Counselor

Evelina Santa-Kahle, Science Counselor, German Embassy (10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.)

New Horizon: Status and prospects of Quantum Research in Germany

Jan Lüdert, Head of Programs, DWIH – German Center for Research and Innovation New York (10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m.)

Science, Technology, and Innovation: Building Transatlantic Bridges – The German Center for Research and Innovation NY offers insight into the current state of STI as part of Science Diplomacy efforts between Germany and the U.S.

Marc Jochemich, Head of DLR Washington Office, German Aerospace Center (DLR) (11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m.)

German Aerospace Center – leveraging international cooperation for scientific and technological excellence

Joann Halpern, Director, Hasso Plattner Institute, New York (11:15a.m.-11:30 a.m.)

Hasso Plattner Institute: Driving Digital Transformation and Research Excellence in a Dynamic Global Context

Panel Discussion on the Symposium’s Topic (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

Moderation: Christian Hänel, President, American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Key questions: What are the strengths of the German science and innovation system versus those of the United States? In what specific fields is German research leading in the United States and an attractive partner for science cooperation? How has the new geopolitical environment influenced transatlantic cooperation in research and innovation over the past years? What do the German scientific community and research-driven industry have to do to continue achieving excellent results?

Where are the obstacles for deeper German-U.S. cooperation in science? What prospects do you see for further closer cooperation with the United States in research and in particular in which fields of technology and the knowledge sector?

Final Remarks René Haak and Jan Lüdert

Lunch Reception: 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.