Advisors

Bernhard Sabel

Bernhard A. Sabel is Professor Emeritus of Medical Psychology at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg and Medical Director of the SAVIR-Center for Vision Restoration. He is also founder of Sciii gGmbH, a non-profit organization promoting scientific integrity and innovation.

As a neuroscientist and editor-in-chief, he is internationally recognized for his contributions to vision restoration and for his advocacy against scientific fraud, particularly the detection of fake publications using AI-driven tools.

Profile

Research

  • Medical Psychology and Neuropsychology, with focus on vision restoration.
  • Development of non-invasive therapies to improve residual vision after brain damage.
  • Research on brain plasticity and neurorehabilitation.
  • Pioneering AI-based methods to detect fake scientific publications.

Academic & Clinical Leadership

  • Professor of Medical Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg.
  • Medical Director, SAVIR-Center for Vision Restoration, Germany.
  • Founder and CEO, Sciii gGmbH – Foundation for Science and Innovation Integrity.
  • Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, University of Magdeburg (2008–2012).

International Engagement & Awards

  • Postdoc, Massachusetts Instit. Technology (MIT), Cambridge/USA (1984-1986)
  • Guest Professor: Princeton University and Harvard Medical School (2005/2008)
  • Senior Visiting Professor, Chinese Acad. Science, Beijing China (2011–2013)
  • “Hai-ju” Award by Beijing/China Overseas Talents Program (2012)
    项目名称北京市海外高层次人才聚集工程负责单位 北京市海外学人工作联席会办公室,
  • Voting Council Member, International Council of Ophthalmology (2023-)
  • Maria Saveria Cinquegrani –Award, EU Innovation Relay Centres (IRC) for best Innovation in Communication and Information Technologies, Florenz/Italy (2000)
  • Leonardo DaVinci–Award, World Org. Achiev. Human Potential, Philadelphia /USA (2005)
  • Venture Lounge Berlin; winner of business plan competition (2009)
  • Start-up Beacon Award; Germany Ministry of Economic Development (2011)
  • Gusi Peace Price, Manila, Philippines (2019)
  • EMA Award – European Medical Association (2020)

Selected Publications

Dan Larhammer

Dan Larhammar is Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at Uppsala University and Former President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He conducts research into the evolution of gene families, particularly in the field of memory and neurotransmitter receptors, and is known for his commitment against pseudoscience and alternative healing methods.

As chairman of the ALLEA project “Fact or Fake?”, he actively campaigns against scientific disinformation. The initiative emphasizes the importance of fact-checking, especially on topics such as climate change, vaccinations and COVID-19, and warns of the dangers of false health information for society.

Profile

Research

  • Professor of Molecular Cell Biology at Uppsala University.
  • Focus on evolution of gene families, especially neurotransmitter receptors and memory-related genes.
  • Uses zebrafish as a model organism in genetic and neurobiological research.
  • Expert in evolutionary neurobiology and molecular pharmacology.

Science Communication & Skepticism

  • Outspoken critic of pseudoscience, creationism, and alternative medicine.
  • Promotes evidence-based medicine and scientific reasoning in public discourse.
  • Regular speaker and writer on scientific integrity and public health misinformation.

Academic & Institutional Roles

  • President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences since 2018.
  • Member of the Academia Europaea and other scientific academies.
  • Influential role in Nobel Prize selections in the sciences.

Combating Disinformation

  • Chair of ALLEA’s “Fact or Fake? Tackling Science Disinformation” initiative.
  • Focus on combating misinformation about climate change, vaccines, and public health.
  • Advocates for fact-checking, scientific literacy, and trustworthy communication.
  • Warns of the societal risks of science denial and health-related disinformation.

Ulrich Dirnagl

Ulrich Dirnagl is Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Founding Director of the QUEST Center for Responsible Research at the Berlin Institute of Health. His work combines experimental neurology and stroke research with pioneering efforts in meta-research and science reform.

He is internationally recognized for his leadership in promoting research quality, transparency, and reproducibility. As an advisor to numerous international scientific boards and institutions, he has helped shape policies for trustworthy science and biomedical innovation.

Profile

Research

  • Professor of Clinical Neurosciences, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
  • Research on cerebral ischemia, neuroinflammation, and neuroprotection.
  • Expertise in translational neuroscience and cerebral blood flow regulation.
  • Leading figure in meta-research, reproducibility, and scientific rigor.

Leadership & Innovation

  • Founding Director of the QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health.
  • Founding coordinator of SPARK-Berlin and ARISE EU stroke program.
  • Former director of the Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB).
  • Initiator of the International Master/MD-PhD Program ‘Medical Neurosciences’.

Science Policy & Engagement

  • Honorary Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology (2024), Academia Europaea member.
  • Advisory roles at Transparency International, Open Science Center LMU, NIH-funded C4R, and more.
  • Former Secretary General of the German Neuroscience Society.
  • Advisor for research quality initiatives across Europe and the U.S.

Selected Publications

  • Dirnagl U, Pariente N. Promoting research quality. PLoS Biol. 2024.
  • Moher D, Dirnagl U, et al. The Hong Kong Principles. PLoS Biol. 2020.
  • Dirnagl U. Rethinking research reproducibility. EMBO J. 2019.
  • Dirnagl U. Institutions can retool to make research more rigorous. Nature. 2020.
  • Vollert J, et al. The EQIPD framework for animal experiments. Nat Methods. 2022.

Gert Scobel

Gert Scobel is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Philosophy at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg and an acclaimed publicist and science journalist. He studied theology and philosophy in Frankfurt am Main and at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California, he went on to conduct research and teach at the University of San Francisco.

He is widely recognized for his ability to bridge the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences in public discourse, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience.

Profile

Research

  • Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Philosophy at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg.
  • Studied theology and philosophy in Frankfurt am Main and at the GTU in Berkeley.
  • Research and teaching experience at the University of San Francisco.
  • Focus on epistemology, ethics, and the philosophy of science in societal contexts.

Leadership & Innovation

  • Twice awarded the EICOS Scholarship by the European Initiative for Communicators of Science, with training at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology (Martinsried), the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (Göttingen), and the Weizmann Institute of Science (Rehovot, Israel).
  • 2018/2019 Visiting Professor for Political Management (Mercator Foundation) at the NRW School of Governance.
  • Member of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Ethics and Responsibility (Zentrum für Ethik und Verantwortung).

Science Communication & Public Engagement

  • Long-standing host of the acclaimed TV program “Scobel” on 3sat (2008–2025), known for exploring intersections of science, philosophy, and society.
  • Creator and host of the “scobel” YouTube channel, offering in-depth discussions on philosophy, science, and societal challenges.
  • Recognized with numerous awards, including:
    • Lorenz Oken Medal of the German Society of Natural Scientists and Physicians (GDNÄ)
    • Media Award of the German Psychological Society
    • Deutscher Fernsehpreis
    • Multiple Grimme Awards (for both television and digital formats)

Selected Publications

  • Scobel G. Weisheit: Über das, was uns fehlt. Köln: DuMont Literatur und Kunst Verlag, 2008.
  • Scobel G. Der Ausweg aus dem Fliegenglas: Wie wir Glauben und Vernunft in Einklang bringen können. Frankfurt: Fischer, 2010.
  • Scobel G. Warum wir philosophieren müssen. Die Erfahrung des Denkens. Frankfurt am Main: S. Fischer Verlag, 2012.
  • Scobel G. Der fliegende Teppich. Eine Diagnose der Moderne. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer Taschenbuch, 2017.
  • Scobel G. NichtDenken. Achtsamkeit und die Transformation von Körper, Geist und Gesellschaft. Berlin: Nicolaische Buchhandlung, NP&I, 2018.

Elia Sugrañes

Elia Sugrañes is a Spanish Patent and Trademark Attorney and European Trademark and Design Attorney, and the director of SUGRAÑES, an established intellectual property firm based in Barcelona. She studied law at the University of Barcelona (1992–1996) and completed her specialization in Intellectual Property with a Master’s degree in Alicante in 1996, just as the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) began its operations. She is Secretary General of the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI) and Former Vice-President of the European Members Commission of FICPI (EUCOF)

With more than 25 years of experience in intellectual property law, she advises clients on IP decision-making and strategies, trademark and domain name prosecution, and complex legal matters related to intellectual property rights.

Profile

Professional Background

  • Director of SUGRAÑES, an intellectual property law firm in Barcelona.
  • Spanish Patent and Trademark Attorney, European Trademark and Design Attorney.
  • Studied Law at the University of Barcelona (1992–1996).
  • Specialized in Intellectual Property with a Master’s degree in Alicante (1996).
  • Over 25 years of experience in advising on IP strategies, trademark and domain name prosecution, and related legal matters.

Leadership & Innovation

  • Secretary General of the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI).
  • Former Special Reporter for Trademarks and Designs at FICPI.
  • Past Chair of CET1 (FICPI’s Study & Work Committee on Trademarks).
  • Former Vice-President of the European Members Commission of FICPI (EUCOF).

Expertise & Practice Focus

  • Strategic IP counseling for businesses in global and European markets.
  • Trademark portfolio management and domain name protection.
  • Legal guidance on IP enforcement and dispute resolution.
  • Advising companies on innovation protection and brand strategy.

Science Communication & Public Engagement

  • Active contributor to the global intellectual property community through leadership roles in FICPI.
  • Frequently invited speaker and panelist at international IP conferences and professional forums.
  • Advocate for the development of practical, business-oriented IP strategies that connect legal protection with innovation and brand growth.
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