On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Hochschule Geisenheim University’s senate unanimously elected Prof. Dr. Katrin Kahlen as new Vice-President of Research to serve for a three-year term. She will take office on October 1, 2026, succeeding Prof. Dr. Annette Reineke, who has headed the university’s research operations since 2017.
Prof. Kahlen stands for interdisciplinary research. In her professional field, she combines mathematical modeling with questions in plant science. After earning a doctoral degree in mathematics, she completed her habilitation in agronomy and has worked as an adjunct professor at Hochschule Geisenheim University for the past five years. Her research at the Department of Modeling & Systems Analysis focuses on modeling plant growth and architecture and studying the effects of climate change on viticulture and horticulture. Her extensive scientific background, her involvement in academic self-administration and experience in strategic university processes uniquely qualify her to advance the university’s research operations.
University President Prof. Dr. Karl H. Mühling warmly congratulated the newly elected vice-president: “I’m very much looking forward to working with Prof. Kahlen. She’s the ideal candidate for this position because of her habilitation, her interdisciplinary approach and her long-standing, active involvement in the Doctoral Committee as well as in the Committee for Research & Development and the university’s senate. In addition to her extensive experience in securing DFG funds, she’s a dedicated member in the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) and has published numerous articles in scientific journals. In cooperation with all researchers at our university, and with Katrin Kahlen as the new Vice-President of Research, we will further strengthen the university’s exceptional research activities and enhance our national and international visibility.”
After her election, Prof. Kahlen said: „I’d like to thank the members of the senate for the trust they have put in me. Hochschule Geisenheim University has a unique research profile with high social relevance. Together with our researchers, I’m dedicated to advancing this profile, creating world-class research conditions and translating our findings into tangible solutions for business, politics, and society.”
Honoring Prof. Reineke’s achievements
Katrin Kahlen will start her term on October 1, 2026, succeeding Prof. Dr. Annette Reinke, who has headed the university’s research operations with great dedication for more than nine years. During her time in office, the university has implemented numerous strategic developments, including advancing its research strategy and establishing interdisciplinary research cooperations. One prime example is the Innovation Centre for Agricultural System Transformation (IAT) in collaboration with the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) and two other universities, and a number of national and international cooperations. Another key development mainly driven by Prof. Reineke is the Viticulture Adaptation Center for Sustainability and Climate Change (VITA), which is currently being constructed. During her term, the university also managed to make its research activities even more visible thanks to initiatives such as the children’s university, science pubs and the newly inaugurated research trail.
President Mühling honored the achievements of the outgoing vice-president: “Prof. Dr. Annette Reineke has shaped the university’s research operations with great vision, scientific expertise and extraordinary dedication. She has provided important impetus for the strategic development of our research profile and has significantly strengthened networking both within the university and with our partners. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to her today for her outstanding work.”
Following Prof. Kahlen’s election, the President’s Council will be restructured for the winter semester of 2026/27. Together with University President Prof. Mühling and the other members of the President’s Council – Prof. Mirjam Hey and Marion Waldeck – she will make a significant contribution to shaping the university’s strategic development in the coming years.
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