Skip to main content

Archives: Boards

Matthias Beekmann (President)

Written by rostanetek on .

Academic Discipline : Environmental Sciences

Matthias Beekmann is research director at CNRS in France. He is working in atmospheric sciences on issues of air quality and its link to climate change. He co-developed a numerical chemistry-transport model which is today widely used for air pollution forecast, scenario calculations of mitigation measures, and scientific purposes. He (co-)organised several field campaigns in order to better understand formation process of so-called secondary pollutants (ozone, aerosol) chemically formed in the atmosphere from directly emitted primary pollutants. He was the first director of the Universe science observatory hosted at Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), a research federation of environmental science laboratories. Matthias Beekmann is today assessor at UPEC for Aurora research and innovation. He is President of the Aurora Research Council.

Wilbert van der Meer

Written by rostanetek on .

As International Office Director, Wilbert van der Meer is responsible for international academic partnerships at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). He works closely with both internal and external stakeholders to strengthen CBS’s global network, including collaborations on educational programs, research initiatives, and strategic alliances. Wilbert is responsible for CBS’s policies and strategies for internationalisation. Previously, he held the position of Head of Education at CBS and, prior to that, served as Deputy Secretary General at Universities Denmark. Wilbert van der Meer represents the CBS Vice-Rector of Education, Anna Thomasson, in the Aurora European universities alliance.

Matteo Lorito

Written by rostanetek on .

Matteo Lorito has been Rector of the Università Federico II of Naples since 2020 and is Full Professor of Plant Pathology and Phytopathological Biotechnology. A Biology graduate, he conducted research at Cornell University and held academic leadership roles, including Director of the Department of Agriculture. He has authored over 200 scientific publications and has approximately 25,000 citations. He co-founded three startups and developed biopesticide and biofertilizer formulations distributed in 90 countries. He is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and was awarded the title of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. 

Barbara Albert

Written by rostanetek on .

Barbara Albert serves as Rector of University of Duisburg-Essen. She is a distinguished expert in the field of solid-state chemistry, former president of the German Chemical Society and member of the Berlin Brandenburg Academy of Sciences. Prior to joining University of Duisburg-Essen, she held professorships at the universities of Hamburg and Darmstadt. At the Technical University Darmstadt, she also was Dean of the Department of Chemistry and Vice-President of Research and Early Careers.

Veronika Sexl

Written by rostanetek on .

Veronika Sexl is a renowned cancer researcher specializing in tumor surveillance and signaling in leukemogenesis, with over 200 peer-reviewed publications and numerous awards. She maintains extensive international collaborations and serves on various boards, including the European Hematology Association (EHA). Since March 2023, Veronika Sexl is Rector of Universität Innsbruck.

Josep Pallarès Marzal

Written by rostanetek on .

Born in El Perelló in 1967, he has been General Director of Universities and General Director of University Planning and Research of the Generalitat de Catalunya (2016-19) and, at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Vice-Rector for Academic Policy and PDI (2014-16), Vice-Rector of PDI (2008-14), Vice-Rector for Transfer and Innovation (2006-08) and Director of the Department of Electronic Engineering, Electric and Automatic (2000-06).

Margrethe Jonkman

Written by rostanetek on .

Margrethe Jonkman is president of the Executive Board of VU Amsterdam, where diversity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship form the foundation of the institution’s strategy.
With a background as Chief Technology Officer at FrieslandCampina and extensive involvement in international research collaborations, she spearheads initiatives for enduring societal impact. Her leadership highlights VU Amsterdam’s dedication to scientific excellence and global engagement, committed to addressing global challenges.

Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir

Written by rostanetek on .

Professor Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir was elected Rector of the University of Iceland and President of the University Council in 2025. Prior to taking office, she was a professor of International Affairs in the Faculty of Political Science. She has previously served on the University Council of the University of Iceland from 2022-2025. Professor Ómarsdóttir earned her PhD from University College Cork in Ireland. Her research focuses on Iceland’s foreign and national security policy, feminist international relations, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.