Born 1968 in Frankfurt/Main. Study of chemistry Free Univ. of Berlin, doctorate Univ. of Frankfurt/Main (1997, Prof. G. Mulzer), postdoctorate Scripps Research Institute La Jolla USA (1997-1998), Assistant Professor Scripps Research Institute La Jolla USA (1999-2003), Manager of a Research Group Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung (2003-2005), Director and Scientific Member at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung (since 2005), Honorary Professor Univ. of Cologne (since 2004).