The European Technology Platform Photonics21 board of stakeholders has elected Dr Michael Mertin, Jenoptik chief executive officer, as the new president of the organisation.
He will lead Photonics21 during the period when the European Union’s European framework programme Horizon 2020 starts. Photonics has been designated one of the EU Commission’s five key enabling technologies and is expected to play a major role in Horizon 2020. The goal is significant industrial growth and new jobs. Mertin takes over the position from departing president Martin Goetzeler.
In his introductory address, Mertin confirmed that Photonics21 welcomes the EU Commission’s new Horizon 2020 programme: ‘Since Europe is facing an economic crisis and has been cutting budgets across the continent, it is now crucial to ensure that every euro is spent wisely, and that all stakeholders live up to their commitments and responsibilities. Photonics21 will support this endeavour through the establishment of a Public-Private-Partnership and an industry pledge to a four-fold leverage of public funding.’
Mertin studied physics at the University of Aachen and gained his PhD in engineering at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology.
