04 March 2009 | CMST
DC Portrait: Dieter Schinzer
Meet the DC Chair for the COST Domain CMST
You were nominated as a COST Domain Committee member by your country. What was your motivation to stand for election as DC Chair?
After my positive personal experience of COST Actions I found it important to actively support and shape the new Chemistry Domain promoting the high degree of interdisciplenarity of Chemistry at the interfaces of Biology and Medicine which would provide great opportunities for the field in the future.
How do you see the future and further evolution of COST?
I see COST at the moment as the most known and efficient tool for networking in Europe. COST should continue this role because it is used very successfully by the scientific community. However, it will be very important for the future to have a strong and independent COST Office without permanent pressure for reforms and uncertain legal status. In my opinion, some changes such as the restructuring of the Technical Committees and the creation of the Domain Committees was positive for improving high-quality research networking in Europe. But, every reform in principle needs careful examination with prior consultation from the scientific community.
What is your vision of Europe for the next 10 years?
The future of Europe will be a difficult task because we need a balance between economic and ecologic issues on one side and the right of cultural identity of the people in the member states on the other side. Therefore, a smart political leadership is required to guide a growing Europe. The power of the European Parliament should be increased in order to speak with one voice in foreign affairs and defence issues. By the way, COST is a nice example of European collaboration because it combines national research funding with European networking to increase the scientific outcome - politicians should learn from that.
When you have one free moment in your busy schedule, what is your preferred leisure activity?
Running outdoors offers time to think and listening to classical music is very relaxing.
Profile
Name
Dieter Schinzer
Nationality
German
Country where I currently live
Germany
Languages
German, English
Education
Dipl.-Chem., PhD in Organic Chemistry, full Professor of Organic Chemistry
Current profession
Chair of Organic Chemistry at University of Magdeburg, Germany. Founder and CEO of the start-up company MOLISA, since 2002.
Research experience
Total synthesis of biologically active natural products, modern drug design and structure-activity-relationships
When did you join COST?
Already quite early during the late eighties
I participate(d) in the following COST Actions:
As MC Member in COST D2, later as Chair in D12 and finally Action proposer and Chair of D28
