Second Term for President Martin Hetzer

The Board of Trustees of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) has announced the reappointment of Martin Hetzer as President of ISTA for a second term. This new term will run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030. Hetzer has been President since January 2023, when he took over from the Institute’s founding President Thomas A. Henzinger.

“This unanimous decision reflects the Board’s strong confidence in Martin Hetzer’s leadership and his exceptional contributions to ISTA,” says the Chairwoman of the ISTA Board of Trustees, Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß. “Under his presidency, ISTA has strengthened its international reputation, expanded its research capacity, continued to attract outstanding talent from around the world, fostered the research transfer to the economy and society, and advanced philanthropic engagement.”

Next chapter of growth

ISTA, on a continuous growth path since it officially opened its doors in 2009, has expanded from around 75 to over 90 research groups in the last three years under Hetzer’s leadership. It is expected to reach 150 research groups by 2036, with the number of employees set to increase from over 1300 to more than 2000 people.

“It is a great honor for me to continue serving as the President of ISTA as we enter this next chapter,” says Martin. “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by the Board of Trustees and for the dedication of our extraordinary institute community. Together we will continue to nurture an environment that empowers curiosity-driven research, fosters bold ideas, and strengthens ISTA’s impact on science and society. I greatly value what we have already achieved together and look forward to building on this foundation.”

Congratulations from Federal Ministry and Lower Austria

“Martin Hetzer has further developed ISTA in recent years with great clarity and international appeal. His commitment to excellent research, innovation, and international collaboration has sustainably strengthened Austria as a hub for science,” says Austrian Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, congratulating Hetzer on his reappointment. “Under his leadership, ISTA’s impressive development has continued consistently: from cutting-edge research and the transfer of knowledge, to industry and society, to greater diversity and equal opportunity. International cutting-edge research in particular requires open structures, equal opportunities, and an environment in which talent can flourish regardless of gender or background.”

“ISTA has established itself in a short time as an international beacon of cutting-edge research, and Martin Hetzer has further strengthened this reputation in an impressive way,” says Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner. “His presidency stands for excellence, for attracting outstanding talent from around the world, and for a clear vision of how science contributes to our state’s progress.”

“Twenty years ago, the decision was made to establish ISTA; since then, it has grown extremely dynamically, both in terms of physical space and scientific achievements,” says Stephan Pernkopf, Deputy Governor responsible for science. “The state of Lower Austria is therefore continuing to invest and provide planning security and confidence. Under the leadership of President Martin Hetzer, ISTA stands not only for cutting-edge research but also for active engagement with the public because it is important to him, and to us, that as many people as possible recognize and appreciate the value of science for our society.”

About Martin Hetzer

Martin Hetzer, a molecular biologist, has been leading the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg since 2023. Born in Vienna, he returned to Austria to take on the role of President of this world-renowned basic research institute after spending roughly two decades in the United States, most recently as vice president of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California. Hetzer is a strong advocate of curiosity-driven and interdisciplinary science. His own research at ISTA focuses on aging.