born July 27, 1945, Erfurt, Germany Chief Physician of the Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Teaching Hospital Links der Weser, Bremen 1987-2010 Presently partner in a private Medical Center for Gastroenterology, Cardiology and Metabolic Diseases in the City of Bremen (Praxis Dres. Beckenbauer & Maierhof) and Consultant in Praxis for Endocrinology Bremen (Dres. I. Van de Loo & K. Spieker). Special Clinical and Scientific Interests: Metabolic Diseases with special emphasis on risk-detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease: I.e. clinical features and treatment of diabetes, obesity and lipid disorders, Gastroenterology and Endocrinology