Prof. Maria Leptin is the President of the European Research Council (ERC) and chairs its Scientific Council. She is a renowned biologist specializing in developmental mechanisms. She completed her studies in mathematics and biology in Germany and conducted research at esteemed institutions in Switzerland, the UK, and Germany. Before her role at the ERC, she was the Director of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) and led a research group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. She is a member of various prestigious academies and has received international recognition for her contributions to the field of biology.