Jena, May 13, 2026 – Prof. Dr. Martin Walter from the Universitätsklinikum Jena (UKJ) is the new President of the German Society for Biological Psychiatry. The expert in depressive disorders and psychiatric brain imaging will hold the office for the next two years.
- Who: Prof. Dr. Martin Walter (Director of the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the UKJ)
- What: Election as President of the German Society for Biological Psychiatry
- When: At this year’s annual meeting of the professional society
- Term of office: Two years
- Focus areas: Strengthening European cooperation, promoting young scientific talent, interdisciplinary exchange
Clear goals for the two-year term of office
The Jena-based physician was elected during the professional society’s annual meeting. Following his appointment, Prof. Dr. Martin Walter announced his intention to set specific priorities during his term. In particular, European networking in the field of mental and neurological health is to be strengthened under his leadership. Furthermore, he plans to specifically support young doctors and researchers and to intensify the transfer of knowledge between different medical disciplines.
Expert in brain imaging and depression
Prof. Dr. Walter brings extensive experience to his new office. Since 2019, he has served as Director of the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Universitätsklinikum Jena. His clinical and scientific expertise lies primarily in the research and treatment of depressive disorders as well as in psychiatric brain imaging. These professional focuses align seamlessly with the orientation of the professional society, which has been dedicated to the research of mental illnesses for nearly half a century.
Background: Research at the UKJ and the professional society
As the only university hospital in Thüringen, the Universitätsklinikum Jena (UKJ) is a central pillar of medical care and research in the Free State. The psychiatric clinic treats thousands of patients annually with a wide range of mental illnesses – from acute life crises to severe, chronic conditions.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Biologische Psychiatrie (DGBP) will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary. It was founded with the goal of better understanding the biological and neurobiological foundations of mental disorders. Today, the interdisciplinary society plays a crucial role in making findings from basic research – such as brain imaging techniques or genetic analyses – usable for new, targeted therapeutic approaches in daily patient care.
Source:
UKJ expert heads psychiatric professional society
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.