Surprise at the Robert Koch Institute: RKI boss Lothar Wieler resigns

Created: 01/12/2023 05:25

Lothar Wieler, President of the Robert Koch Institute, is resigning from his post on April 1 at his own request.

© Carsten Koall/dpa

The President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lothar Wieler, will resign at his own request on April 1st.

Berlin – The RKI boss Lothar Wieler (61) wants to devote himself to new tasks in research and teaching.

The step is taken in agreement with Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach.

During the corona pandemic, RKI boss Lothar Wieler regularly appeared before the press to provide information about the corona virus and the situation in Germany.

This was followed by appearances in the federal press conference alongside the then Health Minister Jens Spahn and the Berlin virologist Christian Drosten.

“I will definitely wear a mask on the train throughout the winter.

And I am happy about everyone who helps to keep the number of infections low," said Wieler in an interview with the 

in December

RKI boss Lothar Wieler resigns

For a transitional period, Wieler's task will be taken over by his deputy Prof. Lars Schaade, the RKI reports.

Wieler has been at the head of the RKI since 2015 and during this time he made significant progress in modernizing the central federal institution in the field of application and action-oriented biomedical research.

“During the pandemic, the Robert Koch Institute has proven its excellence.

It was a privilege to be able to work in an exposed position together with a motivated team of excellent experts during this crisis," explains RKI President Prof. Lothar H. Wieler, according to a joint press release from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Robert Koch Institute.

Wieler would also like to thank all employees of the RKI for their extraordinary commitment.

"You have done research, the institute, but above all the country, a great service." The RKI boss also expresses his thanks to the health ministers with whom he was allowed to work.