The Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) has announced the appointment of Prof. Dr Christof von Kalle as director of the Luxembourg Centre for Translational Research (LCTR) - Fuerschungsklinik Lëtzebuerg, from 1 December 2024.
With a career in translational oncology, gene therapy and molecular medicine, Prof. Dr von Kalle brings visionary leadership and high-level expertise to the institute. A former founding director of the Charité Centre for Clinical Studies and the Berlin Institute of Health, Prof. Dr von Kalle has extensive experience in promoting collaborations between academia, healthcare and industry. His leadership will play a key role in achieving the LCTR's mission of establishing a strong link between scientific research and clinical care, with a particular focus on chronic diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and autoimmune diseases.
As director of the LCTR, Prof. Dr von Kalle's mission will be to lead innovative research that bridges the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. The LCTR plays a strategic role as a national platform, bringing together clinicians, researchers and patients to promote cutting-edge clinical studies and transformative healthcare solutions. With its unique approach combining digital health and translational medicine, the LCTR is ideally positioned to advance precision medicine and improve patient outcomes in Luxembourg and beyond. In his new role, Prof. Dr von Kalle will focus on expanding the LCTR's research capabilities, strengthening national and international collaborations and better integrating clinical research and healthcare.
With a clear vision and proven leadership experience, he said: “The LCTR represents a remarkable convergence of innovation, collaboration, and patient-centred research. My goal is to ensure that our efforts at LCTR translate directly into improved patient care while positioning Luxembourg as a global leader in translational medicine. Together, we will build on this foundation and explore new frontiers in biomedical science.”
Under the leadership of Prof. Dr von Kalle, the LCTR aims to tackle the most pressing public health challenges, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune disorders. Building on Luxembourg's robust translational infrastructure, the LCTR will continue to transform scientific advances into innovative therapeutic solutions.