The German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) has taken a historic step after the conclusion of the annual meeting at the German Congress for Laboratory Medicine (DKLM) in Leipzig: Prof. Dr. med. Mariam Klouche was elected as the first president of the society. Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Streichert from the University Hospital of Cologne was elected Vice President. The elections mark a turning point for the DGKL, which has played a leading role in laboratory medicine in Germany since its founding.

Prof. Mariam Klouche: An experienced expert at the top

Prof. Mariam Klouche, Managing Director of the LADR Laborzentrum Bremen, brings extensive expertise to the new role. As a specialist in laboratory medicine and an expert in the fields of medical microbiology, virology, infection epidemiology and transfusion medicine, she has been Vice President of the DGKL since 2021 and has been involved in international bodies such as the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM). Her work focuses on infection diagnostics, in particular on multidrug-resistant pathogens, as well as on the further development of laboratory diagnostics. Her election as president is an important step for diversity in laboratory medicine and underlines the importance of women in leadership positions in science.

Prof. Thomas Streichert: Vice President with a focus on Quality and Teaching

Prof. Thomas Streichert, Director of the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Medical Director of the Center for Laboratory Diagnostics at the University Hospital of Cologne, was elected Vice President for a two-year term. Since 2022, he has already been an assessor in the presidium of the DGKL. Streichert is known for his work on quality assurance in laboratory diagnostics and his contributions to the integration of learning objectives in laboratory medicine into the National Competence-Based Learning Objectives Catalogue for Medicine (NKLM 2.0). His commitment aims to strengthen the cooperation between university hospitals and practice laboratories and to advance innovative standards in diagnostics.

Significance for the DGKL and laboratory medicine

The DGKL, with over 1,100 members the most important professional society of its kind in Germany, is facing challenges such as digitalization, the shortage of skilled workers and the further development of precision medicine. The new management under Klouche and Streichert combines practical relevance with scientific expertise.

The Annual Meeting 2025 in Leipzig, organized by Prof. Dr. Berend Isermann and Prof. Dr. Uta Ceglarek, was dedicated to topics such as precision medicine, the influence of environmental factors on laboratory data and the role of artificial intelligence in diagnostics. In addition, young scientists have been supported by travel grants and DGKL science awards, which underlines the attractiveness of the discipline for young talents.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.