Following the Stuttgart Visualization Day 2023 at the end of September, which saw Thomas Ertl retire from the VIS and VISUS institutes with a celebratory colloquium, SimTech has now also officially acclaimed his retirement, heralding a change in leadership.
On 13 December, Thomas Ertl spoke in his Farewell Colloquium about "35 Years Up and Down the Visualization Pipeline", in which he gave a personal review of 35 years of visualization research, starting with the beginnings of the field as an independent discipline and concluding with some of the more recent results of scientific visualization within SimTech and related projects.
Thomas Ertl passes the torch
Thomas Ertl's retirement also marks the change in leadership of the Cluster of Excellence and the Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science. Thomas Ertl has officially concluded his duties as of September 30, 2023.
He remarked, "It has been a privilege to serve as the spokesperson for SimTech and the director of the SC SimTech, and I am immensely proud of the advancements we've achieved during this time." Thomas Ertl will remain with SimTech as an advisor.
SimTech cluster now with a leading duo
In light of this transition, Wolfgang Nowak and Steffen Staab, who previously served as co-spokespersons, have taken over the reins as the official spokespersons of the SimTech cluster. "We are honored to take the helm as the spokespersons of EXC SimTech," noted Professor Nowak. Professor Staab added, "We look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Thomas Ertl and progressing the cluster to achieve exciting new research results."
Holger Steeb assumes directorship of SC SimTech
Additionally, Professor Holger Steeb has officially taken the reins as the Director of the Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science. With his extensive knowledge and experience, he will be guiding the center and fostering its growth and development. Holger Steeb expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I am excited to lead the center in its pursuit of excellence and continued growth in the field of simulation science."
These leadership changes mark an exciting new chapter for EXC SimTech and the Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science. The SimTech community would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Thomas Ertl for his outstanding contributions and leadership, and is looking forward to the dedication, expertise, and commitment of Professors Nowak, Staab, and Steeb for advancing the cluster's success and the center’s mission.