Wolfgang Hillebrandt becomes the Leader of Research Area G

Research Area G of the Excellence Cluster Universe is under new leadership. At the general meeting in the context of Science Week 2010, Professor Wolfgang Hillebrandt of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA) was chosen as coordinator of the research area which studies the formation of heavy elements in the Universe. This also makes Wolfgang Hillebrandt a member of the Research Board of the Cluster. A replacement for this post became necessary as the former coordinator Professor Reiner Krücken of the TU München is leaving for three years initially to become research director at the renowned TRIUMF, Canada’s National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics (TRIUMF) in Vancouver. As of spring 2011 he will lead the Science Division of TRIUMF.

Wolfgang Hillebrandt has been researching at MPA since 1985 where he has held the position of director since 1997. In addition, he has been teaching as an honorary professor at the TU München since 1990. His research interest focuses on the formation of stars, particularly the final stages of massive stars, the supernovae. The supernova explosions are responsible for the enrichment of the intergalactic medium with heavy elements. Professor Stephan Paul, coordinator of the Excellence Cluster Universe, declares, „We regret that Reiner Krücken, an outstanding scientist and dedicated fellow colleague is leaving us. At the same time, I am very pleased that we were able to attract Wolfgang Hillebrandt, a leading expert in the area of star formation, who also has extensive experience in joint projects. I warmly welcome him on behalf of the Research Board of the Cluster!“