1990 MD from University of Hamburg. Professional training at JW Goethe University, Frankfurt, venia legendi (assistant professor of medicine) in 2004. Since 2005 Director I. Medical Dept., Barmbek Hospital, Hamburg/Germany. Investigator and co-investigator of more than 70 clinical trials. Those included phase II-III studies evaluating device- and pharmacotherapy for coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, radiofrequency catheter ablation, and pacemaker- or defibrillator techniques. More than 250 oral presentations at meetings of national and international medical societies and more than 80 publications in peer reviewed journals. Current research topics: Arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, antithrombotic agents, lipid-lowering therapy, implantable pacemakers and defibrillators, risk stratification for sudden cardiac death. Reviewer (among others) for JACC, Europace, American Heart Journal, Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, Heart.