Doris Wedlich, RDA Council Member from 2013 - 2018

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Doris Wedlich, RDA Council Member from 2013 - 2018
24 Sep 2020

Doris Wedlich, RDA Council Member from 2013 - 2018

Doris Wedlich, an esteemed member of the Research Data Alliance Council from 2013 to 2018 passed away on September 20, 2020. RDA wishes to extend its deepest sympathy and condolences to Doris’ family, relatives, friends and colleagues.

Doris was a true professional, passionate in her interest in the Research Data Alliance. Trained as molecular biologist Prof. Dr. Doris Wedlich focused her research on signal transduction in cell differentiation and cancerogenesis (1991-2011). When she moved to research management in 2012, she became responsible for the Division Biology, Chemistry, and Process Engineering at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Impressed how huge amounts of data are shared and re-used by scientists she became actively involved in research data management.

Doris actively contributed to the vision and strategy of the RDA during her six-year term on the Council, and her passion and contribution to the alliance did not cease with the conclusion of her role. Doris continued to enthusiastically support the RDA and to participate in the Plenary Meetings. From 2012 to 2018, Doris Wedlich was a member of the German Science Council, the most important research policy advisory body in Germany. Together with her partners, she has worked with great commitment and enthusiasm to promote the establishment of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), which will be inaugurated in Karlsruhe on October 12.

Doris was instrumental in the foundation of the German RDA activities and a driving force in hosting the 11th RDA Plenary meeting in Berlin in March 2018.

The RDA owes a great deal to Doris, her foresight, vision, passion and dedication to the Alliance, particularly in the early years of the organisation, helped shape the vision and strategy as well as grow the community to the vibrant and dynamic international forum it is today. She was central to maturing RDA as an organisation.

One of the strengths of RDA is its community, and Doris was a true science diplomat and a wonderful and treasured member of our community. Doris was a very warm, friendly, open person with an amazing ability to listen and interconnect people and she made many personal friends over the course of her time in RDA who will all miss her dearly. 

Thank you, Doris for your dedication, passion and invaluable support and service. May you rest in peace.

Doris Wedlich, RDA Council Member with RDA Organisational Assembly at 7th RDA Plenary Meeting, Tokyo, March 2016

We were very privileged to have Doris as part of our RDA community. Her main contribution was to make RDA a more reliable partner in its work, by focusing on the organisational side through her role in the RDA Council. Her fine personal strengths made her a tremendous asset in helping an organisation mature, but with deep commitment to values that stood us all in good stead. I was lucky enough to work with her on many tasks in the RDA Council, and she was a terrific partner. But more than that, she was a lovely person, and became a friend. I particularly treasure times where after a day working on thorny issues in a council meeting we would go for a walk and sometimes resolve complex tasks, sometimes enjoy our environment, and always enjoy our friendship. Ross Wilkinson, RDA Council Co-chair and founding member

 

Doris Wedlich, RDA Council Member at RDA 11th Plenary Meeting, Berlin, March 2018