Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is bidding farewell to Prof Dr Alexander Pfriem, who has played a key role in shaping the university's profile and research strength as Vice President for Research and Transfer since 2013. Alexander Pfriem has been appointed Professor of Wood Science and Technology and Fibre Materials Engineering at TU Dresden.

"We are very sorry to say goodbye to such a tireless architect of our university's success and, in particular, its research strength. At the same time, we also see in this next step only the consistent further development that characterises Alexander Pfriem and wish him all the best on this path," emphasises University President Prof. Dr Matthias Barth.

Pioneer for research and transfer

After studying processing and process engineering and completing his doctorate at TU Dresden, Alexander Pfriem was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Physics of Wood and Chemical Process Engineering at HNEE in 2010. Three years later, he took over the position of Vice President for Research and Transfer, which he has since successfully fulfilled with great commitment and recognition beyond HNEE.

Under his leadership, HNEE has developed into one of the strongest research universities in Germany, while at the same time increasing its international visibility. Alexander Pfriem was also involved in the Federal Ministry of Education and Research's "Research at UAS/UAS Programme Advisory Board".

A passionate scientist

Alexander Pfriem's research work is internationally recognised. He has published numerous specialist publications on wood modification, materials science and sustainable process engineering and has acted as a reviewer at European universities on several occasions. His work has been honoured with the Herbert Flemming Prize and the "Science and Research in Environmental Technology" award from the Friedrich and Elisabeth Boysen Foundation, among others.

The results of his work on the use of wood and wood modifications in cooperation with practice partners are very practical and understandable. These include, for example, the development of a wooden bicycle, a rollator made of bamboo or the replacement of tropical woods in the construction of musical instruments. The development of new processes in wooden boat building led to a professionally recognised wooden yacht. The new processes enable the boat builder to achieve more than five times the production output. The Woy 26 yacht has been nominated for the European Yacht of the Year Award 2026.

Commitment to young scientists

His commitment to supporting young researchers also deserves special mention: As a supervisor and reviewer, he has supported numerous doctorates at universities in Germany and abroad. His commitment in particular enabled the establishment of a cooperative doctoral programme. Together with initiator Prof. Dr Wilhem-Günther Vahrson, he was the driving force behind the necessary steps towards the creation of a joint doctoral college of Brandenburg's universities, thus supplementing the cooperative doctoral model and creating a legal framework for cooperation between Brandenburg's universities and for doctoral candidates in Brandenburg.

With the departure of Prof Pfriem, HNEE is saying goodbye to a formative personality who has significantly advanced the university in recent years with her expertise and creative drive.