Fraunhofer appoints Constantin Häfner as executive vice president for research and transfer

On June 12, 2024, the senate of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft appointed Prof. Constantin Häfner as the executive board member responsible for Research and Transfer. He is currently the executive director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen and is expected to assume his board responsibilities shortly.

Before his appointment at Fraunhofer ILT, Prof. Häfner led the Advanced Photon Technologies program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California,  where he worked on the development of the world's most powerful laser systems. He is also a full professor and holds a professorship for Laser Technology at RWTH Aachen University.

Hildegard Müller, Chair of the Senate of the Fraunhofer Society e.V.: “Constantin Häfner's international experience at prestigious research institutes will provide a significant contribution to the positive development of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in the crucial area of Research and Transfer. With his ability to advance research projects while always considering their applicability and economic benefit, he is precisely the right person to complete the Fraunhofer board.” She adds that, alongside his outstanding scientific reputation and broad network, Häfner's experience and knowledge of Fraunhofer’s values and structures make him an ideal fit for this position.

Fraunhofer’s president Prof. Holger Hanselka welcomed the senate's decision: “We look forward to working with Constantin Häfner. With his profound expertise, ideas and passion, he is perfectly positioned on the Fraunhofer board,” says Holger Hanselka. Currently, discussions are underway so that Prof. Constantin Häfner can start as soon as possible. He avers: “The confidence of the senate is both an honor and a motivation. At Fraunhofer, we stand for creativity and innovative strength, which we invariably transfer into solutions for business and society. I look forward to actively supporting and shaping this process.”

This article was first published on 12 June by Fraunhofer.