As of 1 December 2020, Matthias Wessling is appointed as a member of University of Twente’s Supervisory Board by the Minister of Education, Culture and Science. His appointment is for a term of four years. Matthias Wessling succeeds Linda Steg, whose appointment has ended.
Matthias Wessling is Professor of Chemical Product and Process Engineering at RWTH Aachen University and carries out materials research at DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials. In addition to his role as chair-holder, he serves since 2018 as Vice-Rector of Research and Structure at RWTH. Matthias Wessling also serves in the Scientific Advisory Board of the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Science in Dresden in 2019 and has been participating in various Committees of the Dutch Science Foundation since 2017.
Wessling obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Twente in 1993. After holding a number of positions in industry in the United States and the Netherlands, his academic career led to a professorship in membrane science and technology at the University of Twente in 1999. Here, he took on several roles, including that of Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, and subsequently continued his career as an Alexander von Humboldt Professor in Aachen in 2010.
Leibniz Prize
In 2019, Wessling was awarded the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the German counterpart of the Spinoza Prize, for his scientific work. He has, furthermore, been the driving force behind several startups and spin-offs, such as the company Convergence at Twente and, in 2018, FURTHResearch, which is working on a software platform for Research Data Management.
Matthias Wessling had this to say about his appointment: ‘The University of Twente played a decisive role in my scientific development. I was able to grow and prosper here. Ten years of academic and administrative experience will contribute to my new reflecting and advising role in the Supervisory Board of the University of Twente. I am looking forward to taking part in an organisation that is committed to social accountability and puts forward solutions that lead to a fair, digitalised and sustainable society.’
When looking to fill the vacancy that had arisen, the Supervisory Board sought a candidate with expertise in a variety of fields as well as academic administrative experience. Anton Schaaf, President of the Supervisory Board, is delighted with the appointment of Matthias Wessling: ‘Matthias Wessling has an impressive track record and matches the profile we had drawn up perfectly. I am convinced that he will be a valuable addition to the Supervisory Board. He possesses the skills we need to continue to perform our duties in the service of the university.’
