01-Mar-2022
Instruct-ERIC has appointed Dr Silke Schumacher as its new Hub Coordinator, succeeding Dr Susan Daenke.
Silke has many years of experience both in structural biology and in the management of European research infrastructures, thanks to her many years working at the European Commission, and previously at EMBL, an Instruct-ERIC centre.
Silke commented: “I am delighted to have been announced as the new Coordinator of Instruct-ERIC. Susan Daenke has done a fantastic job leading the research infrastructure, and I am hopeful to continue her great work and further develop Instruct also to address future challenges.”
Silke comes into the role succeeding Susan Daenke, who had previously held the post since its first formative steps, overseeing the development of Instruct into an ever-expanding research infrastructure making high-end technologies and methods in structural biology available to users.
Susan commented: "I am privileged to have been part of the formation and development of Instruct from its inspiration through its formative years and to ERIC status. Instruct was conceived to provide equal opportunities for any structural biologist to access the best infrastructure for their research, regardless of their geographic location or circumstances.
"I have seen this working for a large number of students and early researchers and I am certain that Silke will take Instruct to the next level of service delivery and research support for its user community.”
Professor Harald Schwalbe, Director of Instruct-ERIC, commented, “First, I wish to thank Susan Daenke for all here work in shaping Instruct to where it is today. She sets the bar high. Therefore, I am very happy that Silke Schumacher joins the team. With her expertise, we will provide new momentum, in times, where European cohesion in research and beyond is needed more than ever.”
Dr. Silke Schumacher previously worked at the European Commission Directorate-General Research & Innovation as Rapporteur of the Expert Group for the assessment of the EU ERIC Regulation (EGERIC).
Prior to this, she was the first European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Director International Relations from 2010-2020, and was instrumental for the establishment of new site in Barcelona and the expansion of the membership to Central Eastern European countries.
She earned a PhD in biochemistry at the University Paris-XI, France and a Master in Public Administration from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, Germany.
