About the Institute
The Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH) founded in 1962 is one of the institutes at the Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University, Germany’s oldest University. In over 60 years of its existence, the institute has contributed to the various paradigm shifts in tropical medicine to public health. It receives public core funding, however over half of the funds are competitively acquired for both research and teaching activities.
Through its research and teaching, the institute aims to contribute to improving the health of vulnerable populations worldwide especially in low- and middle-income countries and train the next generation of global health researchers and practitioners. To achieve this, we attach great importance to linking our activities in two ways: we want to make sure that our staff manages, teaches or evaluates development projects in the health sector of low- and middle-income countries, and participates in research so that their insight and experience from different activities are enhancing each other.
Scientists at the institute try to find new ways of improving the health of the world’s poorest and those most affected by disease, for instance in South Africa, Burkina Faso and Bangladesh. Their focus is on investigating the effects of mass treatments – such as in HIV therapy or the fight against malaria – and on researching healthcare systems in Africa and Asia.
The institute was founded in 1962 and currently has more than 200 members (2021).
We mourn the loss of Volker Winkler, who passed away on December 22, 2025
Professor Dr. sc. hum. Volker Winkler
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our colleague, Professor Dr. sc. hum. Volker Winkler, a highly valued member of our institute for more than two decades. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of only 47.
Born in Mannheim, Volker studied biology at Heidelberg University, where he graduated in 2004. He completed his diploma thesis at what was then the Institute of Hygiene, Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health. He subsequently joined the DFG Graduate College 793 “Epidemiology” as a doctoral student and was awarded his doctoral degree in 2008. This was followed by his work as a postdoctoral researcher at our institute, culminating in his habilitation in epidemiology in 2016 and his appointment as adjunct professor of epidemiology in 2019. Among his many academic responsibilities, he served as head of the “Heidelberg Graduate School of Global Health” doctoral programme. Under his dedicated supervision, numerous doctoral candidates successfully completed their Dr. sc. hum. and Dr. med. degrees. Volker authored more than one hundred peer-reviewed scientific publications, reflecting his outstanding contribution to epidemiological research and global health.
Beyond his remarkable scientific achievements, Volker’s life was defined by extraordinary personal strength. From birth, he lived with spinal muscular atrophy, a severe neuromuscular disease that significantly affected his freedom of movement and required the use of a wheelchair and a personal assistant. However, these challenges neither diminished his remarkable scientific productivity nor his passion for adventurous travel. He was an optimistic, cheerful, and deeply engaged colleague, always kind, humble and insightful. He possessed a warm sense of humour and participated in social and academic life whenever possible, even when doing so required great effort. It was a privilege to accompany him as a student, to work alongside him as a colleague, and to witness the exceptional care and dedication he showed as a supervisor, qualities his doctoral students consistently praised.
Volker was a shining example of resilience, courage, and perseverance. He never allowed adversity to define his path and always looked to the future with hope and determination. We are deeply saddened that his journey was cut short. Volker Winkler will be profoundly missed by colleagues, students, and friends alike.
We mourn the loss of Hans-Jochen Diesfeld, who passed away on March 19, 2025.
Prof. Dr. med. Hans Jochen Diesfeld
geb. 18.4.1932, gest. 19.3.2025 in Starnberg
All members of the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health have been standing on his shoulders, as founder of the institute, academic teacher, mentor and friend.
We will remember him as a kind and visionary leader, who accompanied and shaped our institute’s development from tropical medicine to global health. His strong conviction that health and disease are anchored in the social and cultural environment has shaped our work and will continue to do so.
A ceremony was held by his family and closest friends on March 28 in his native Starnberg. His urn will be buried in May or June, t.b.a.. HIGH has convened a memorial ceremony in Heidelberg, which allowed his scientific colleagues and friends from far and near to share memories and highlight the scientific impulses he gave on the path from tropical medicine to global health. Please find the recording of the memorial symposium here: Memorial Symposium Prof. Diesfeld.