On 12 September 2024, the General Assembly of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) in The Hague elected Dr Cecilia G. Flocco, a Braunschweig-based researcher at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, to the FEMS Board of Directors.
With the beginning of her term of office on 1 January 2025, Dr Cecilia G. Flocco will take on the honorary role on the FEMS board for a period of three years. The scientific advisor to the scientific director of the Leibniz Institute DSMZ, Prof. Dr. Jörg Overmann, works at the interface between life sciences, science policy and diplomacy. As a scientist with an interdisciplinary education, Cecilia G. Flocco's work focuses on environmental microbiology and biotechnology. ‘I am very grateful to the FEMS community for their trust and feel truly honoured. Microbiology plays a central role in sustainably promoting social and ecological well-being. I am firmly convinced that FEMS, as the leading pan-European organisation, is in a unique position to contribute to this future-oriented task, while advancing the field and proactively addressing future challenges,’ says Dr Cecilia G. Flocco. ‘I am very excited about the opportunity to contribute to FEMS' mission in Europe – and beyond.’
Federation of European Microbiological Societies
Founded in 1974, the federation currently consists of 55 member societies from 40 countries worldwide and has over 30,000 members. FEMS is governed by a council of representatives from the member societies and the Board of Directors. This is the executive body of the FEMS, responsible for the strategic development and implementation of the federation's goals. The federation's mission is to advance microbiology for the benefit of society in Europe and globally, with a focus on collaboration, innovation and solving global challenges with microbial knowledge.
Press contact:
PhDr. Sven-David Müller, Head of Public Relations, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH
Phone: ++49 (0)531/2616-300
Mail: press(at)dsmz.de
About the Leibniz Institute DSMZ
The Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures is the world's most diverse collection of biological resources (bacteria, archaea, protists, yeasts, fungi, bacteriophages, plant viruses, genomic bacterial DNA as well as human and animal cell lines). Microorganisms and cell cultures are collected, investigated and archived at the DSMZ. As an institution of the Leibniz Association, the DSMZ with its extensive scientific services and biological resources has been a global partner for research, science and industry since 1969. The DSMZ was the first registered collection in Europe (Regulation (EU) No. 511/2014) and is certified according to the quality standard ISO 9001:2015. As a patent depository, it offers the only possibility in Germany to deposit biological material in accordance with the requirements of the Budapest Treaty. In addition to scientific services, research is the second pillar of the DSMZ. The institute, located on the Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd, accommodates more than 87,500 bioresources and has almost 230 employees. www.dsmz.de
The Leibniz Association
The Leibniz Association connects 96 independent research institutions that range in focus from the natural, engineering and environmental sciences via economics, spatial and social sciences to the humanities. Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic and ecological relevance. They conduct basic and applied research, including in the interdisciplinary Leibniz Research Alliances, maintain scientific infrastructure, and provide research-based services. The Leibniz Association identifies focus areas for knowledge transfer, particularly with the Leibniz research museums. It advises and informs policymakers, science, industry and the general public. Leibniz institutions collaborate intensively with universities – including in the form of Leibniz ScienceCampi – as well as with industry and other partners at home and abroad. They are subject to a transparent, independent evaluation procedure. Because of their importance for the country as a whole, the Leibniz Association Institutes are funded jointly by Germany’s central and regional governments. The Leibniz Institutes employ around 20,500 people, including 11,500 researchers. The financial volume amounts to 2 billion euros. www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de