Michael Kaschke

Prof. Dr. Dr. hc Michael Kaschke is a renowned academic and industry leader affiliated with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as an Honorarprofessor in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. He also holds an adjunct professorship at the Medical University of Vienna.

• Current roles include Chairman of KIT's Supervisory Board and President of the Stifterverband der deutschen Industrie.
• Past leadership roles: CEO of Carl Zeiss AG (2011–2020), CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (2008–2010), and Chair of its Supervisory Board (2002–2021).

His research focuses on optical medical technologies, biomedical engineering, and innovation management, with notable contributions to OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and ophthalmic device development. He has authored influential textbooks such as Optical Devices in Ophthalmology and Fingerübungen der Physik.

Key awards include an honorary doctorate from Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena and membership in the Leopoldina National Academy of Sciences. His work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing technological innovation in healthcare.