"I extend my heartfelt condolences to Gerhard Roth's family," said University of Bremen President Professor Jutta Günther. "Mr. Roth's academic achievements for the University of Bremen and for society are outstanding. He was appointed professor of behavioral physiology at the University of Bremen in 1976, and he conducted research and taught here with great enthusiasm. We mourn the loss of a formidable scientist. His academic merits will remain positively in our memory, as will his commitment to equality of opportunity and educational equity."
As a professor of behavioral physiology and developmental neurobiology, Gerhard Roth was instrumental in establishing the neurosciences and cognitive sciences at the University of Bremen. With his energy and foresight, he made Bremen prominent as a location for this research field both inside and outside Germany.
Driven by the guiding principles of interdisciplinarity, internationalization, and support for young researchers, he was committed to the establishment of the Institute of Brain Research, the Center for Cognitive Sciences, and the DFG Collaborative Research Center "Neurocognition".
Education and Career Path
Professor Gerhard Roth initially studied Musicology, German Studies, and Philosophy. After receiving his doctorate in Philosophy, he studied Biology and went on to receive a doctorate in Zoology.
Starting in 1976, Gerhard Roth conducted research and taught at the University of Bremen as a professor of behavioral physiology and developmental neurobiology. From 1989 to 2008, he was director at the Institute of Brain Research at the University of Bremen - now the Center for Cognitive Sciences. From 1997 to 2008, he held the role of president of the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg. He also served as president of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation from 2003 to 2011.
Gerhard Roth was one of the best-known European neurobiologists. He was also a bestselling author, selling more than 250,000 books. The renowned scientist was always keen to convey complicated content clearly in books and lectures.
In 2022, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class.
Further Information:
Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg news (in German only): https://hanse-ias.de/presse/presseartikel/2023/05/02/das-hanse-wissenschaftskolleg-trauert-um-seinen-gruendungsrektor
