Über uns – Infect-Net

Infect-Net: Inform | Promote | Fair Networks

The German Association of Women in Infection Research (Verband deutscher Infektionsforscherinnen e.V.) and Infect-Net are committed to establishing a sustainable network of women in infectious disease research in Germany and raising awareness of their expertise. We want to ensure that women infection researchers are more widely recognised, consulted as experts as a matter of course, and heard in science policy. In this way, we contribute to gender-equitable science communication and greater visibility for research that protects our health.

We promote open exchange between science, society, business and politics – with a clear stance and professional expertise. This includes information events, workshops, networking meetings, lecture series and mentoring programmes, as well as active press and public relations work. Our database of experts makes it easier for journalists, decision-makers and partner institutions to contact competent representatives directly.

Infect-Net ensures that the scientific achievements of German women infection researchers are recognised and that their voices carry weight in shaping global health issues.

With the founding of an association on 25 March 2025 , we have taken an important step towards long-term equality in infection research. Infect-Net is led by a six-member board headed by chairwoman Gabriele Pradel and her deputies Antje Flieger (Robert Koch Institute Wernigerode) and Clarissa Prazeres da Costa (Technical University of Munich). Christina Karsten (University Hospital Essen) and Asisa Volz (University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation) are responsible for secretarial duties, while Michaela Petter (University Hospital Erlangen) manages the finances. Our board members are supported by a five-member advisory board and a nestor.

Since 1 September 2025, Infect-Net has been officially registered as a non-profit association at the Aachen District Court and is ready to actively shape the future of infection research.

The board members of the German Association of Women in Infection Research since 25 March 2025:

Prof Dr

Antje Flieger

Junior Prof Dr

Christina Karsten

PD Dr. rer. nat.

Michaela Petter

Univ.-Prof. Dr.

Gabriele Pradel

Univ.-Prof. Dr.

Clarissa Prazeres da Costa

Univ.-Prof. Dr.

Asisa Volz

Equalise infection researchers and strengthen a female perspective in science policy

The German Association of Women in Infection Research (Verband deutscher Infektionsforscherinnen e.V.) is committed to ensuring that women in infectious disease research are visible, networked and naturally sought after as experts. We promote continuous exchange with society, business and politics in order to enable modern, proactive infection education. At the same time, we are working to ensure that women infection researchers are represented in science policy committees and actively shape health research in Germany and worldwide.

Connecting women infection researchers – for strong cohesion and professional exchange
Proactive infection education – making science understandable and visible
Dialogue with society, politics and business – taking joint responsibility for health
Making female experts visible – putting competent voices at the centre of attention
More women in committees and leadership positions – for a balanced scientific decision-making system
More role models – inspiring the next generation and paving the way

It all began with a focus on innovative women:
The launch of Infect-Net

The roots of our current association lie in the funding guideline ‘Focus on Innovative Women’ of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). It provided the impetus to specifically network female infection researchers in Germany and to make their scientific expertise more visible in the media, in decision-making structures and among the general public.

What began as a project was supported by ten dedicated and renowned infection researchers. They took on responsibility, established organisational structures and, as the first board of directors, set the course for the future. Infect-Net was initiated and coordinated by Gabriele Pradel from RWTH Aachen University.

During the three-year funding phase, a growing network with a lot of activity emerged:

Communication channels and formats were developed,
six specialist conferences were organised,
bridges were built to politics, the media and society,
and a strong interdisciplinary community of over 200 members was formed.

This groundwork has demonstrated how great the need is for visibility, exchange and support for women in infection research, and how much energy there is in this network. With the founding of the association, the foundation has finally been laid on which we can now continue to build: for equality, professional presence and a strong voice in science policy. For this, we are deeply grateful to our ten pioneers: