Leadership Transition Ensures Continuity Across the NCCR Microbiomes

As part of a planned leadership succession, the NCCR Microbiomes has implemented a coordinated transition of key leadership roles to ensure continuity in scientific leadership, governance, and operations throughout the remainder of the consortium’s programme.

Following six years of distinguished service as Director, Jan Roelof van der Meer (UNIL) has retired from the role and taken an appointment as Professor Emeritus. Philipp Engel (UNIL), who has served as Deputy Director since the programme’s inception, brings his extensive leadership experience to the role of Director. Jan van der Meer will continue to contribute as Professor Emeritus and Post-Director, providing ongoing scientific expertise and strategic guidance until the end of Phase II of the NCCR Microbiomes. Julia Vorholt (ETHZ) continues as Co-Director.

Sara Mitri, Associate Professor with UNIL and co-leader of Work Package 4, has stepped into the role of Deputy Director.

Emma Slack (ETHZ) will step down after six years as Deputy Co-Director, as she assumes new responsibilities at the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE). She will remain an active Principal Investigator within the consortium, continuing to contribute to its scientific mission.

Shinichi Sunagawa, Full Professor of Microbiome Research at ETH Zurich and co-leader of Work Package 5, has been appointed Deputy Co-Director.

The consortium extends its sincere appreciation to Jan van der Meer and Emma Slack for their dedicated leadership and invaluable contributions over the first half of the NCCR programme, and looks forward to their continued collaboration. We furthermore congratulate Philipp Engel, Sara Mitri and Shinichi Sunagawa for their new roles. The new leadership team, composed of Philipp Engel, Julia Vorholt, Sara Mitri, and Shinichi Sunagawa combines continuity with new expertise, ensuring the consortium remains well positioned to deliver on its scientific objectives and strategic mission.

The new NCCR Microbiomes leadership. From left to right, Philipp Engel, Julia Vorholt, Sara Mitri, and Shinichi Sunagawa

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