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Professor Martin Heimgartner is an Adjunct Professor of Church History at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg's Faculty of Theology, where he has served as a private lecturer since 2007 and as adjunct professor since 2014. He also works as a research associate at the Theological Seminary of the University of Zurich since 2009. His academic career spans multiple institutions including the Universities of Zurich and Basel where he completed his doctoral and habilitation work. Heimgartner's research focuses on Syriac Christianity, particularly the works of the East Syrian Patriarch Timotheus I (780-823), Christian-Muslim relations in early Islam, philosophy and theology of Syrian Christians, John Chrysostom, Greek and Syrian florilegia literature, and 2nd century Christian apologists. His scholarly work demonstrates deep engagement with primary sources through critical editions and translations of Syriac texts. His publication record shows consistent scholarly output with emphasis on Timotheus I's writings, with multiple monographs published through prestigious series like Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium (CSCO). His work bridges historical theology, textual criticism, and interreligious studies, particularly examining early Christian-Muslim dialogue. The articles reveal a progression from textual editions toward more thematic studies on theological concepts like Trinitarian doctrine in interreligious contexts. His scholarly contributions include numerous encyclopedia entries in major reference works such as Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart (RGG) and Der Neue Pauly, covering figures from early Christianity. He has also collaborated on editorial projects including a volume on Apollinarius. Notably, Heimgartner maintains a dual scholarly identity, combining theological research with musicology. His musicological editions, particularly for Cecilia Bartoli's Malibran project, demonstrate expertise in historical musical works from the 19th century, showing his interdisciplinary approach to historical scholarship across different cultural domains.

• Church History
• Syriac Christianity
• Early Christianity
• +5 more

Dr. Andreas Goltz is an Academic Director in the Department of Ancient History at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2021, with a focus on interdisciplinary research bridging Roman history, media studies, and public historiography. He has held various academic roles at institutions including Bamberg, Berlin, and Dresden. Doctorate in Ancient History (summa cum laude, Freie Universität Berlin, 2005) Master of Arts in Ancient History, Art History, and Psychology (Freie Universität Berlin, 1995) His research spans the Roman Republic , Late Antiquity , and historical reception , emphasizing cross-era analysis, Roman-Germanic interactions, and media representations of antiquity. His publications include a monograph on Theodoric the Great and editorial collaborations on Diocletian, Constantine, and Late Antique historiography. Recent articles reflect expertise in Spätantikfilm (late antique cinema), Byzantine sources , and ethnogenesis , with keywords spanning Political History to Visual Culture . Scientific Awards Teaching Award of Rhineland-Palatinate (2022) Lehrpreis der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (2020, 2014) He contributes to the Clio 2punkt0 project on historical communication and advises graduate theses on topics from Julian's Edict to Caesar's Monarchical Ambitions .

• Roman Republic
• Late Antiquity
• History and Media
• +6 more

Christian Mauder is Professor of Islamic Studies at Freie Universität Berlin’s Institute of Islamic Studies, Department of History and Cultural Studies. His research focuses on premodern Islamic religious, intellectual, and social history, particularly the Mamluk Sultanate (1250–1517), Islamic court cultures, historical semantics, Arabophone Christianity, Christian-Muslim relations, and Quranic discourses. He has published extensively on Mamluk military education, legal riddles, Persian and Circassian ethnic identities, and Ottoman-Mamluk transitions, emphasizing transregional interconnectedness. PhD in Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Göttingen (2017) Postdoctoral research at Yale, Princeton, NYU Abu Dhabi, and University of Bonn Associate Professor at University of Bergen (2018–2023) Mauder’s scholarly work bridges Islamic history and cultural studies, exploring how concepts like mujaddid (renewer) shaped religious authority. His publications include monographs on Mamluk court culture and edited volumes on Quran reception, legal knowledge transmission, and Islamic eschatology. Recent articles analyze Persian identity construction, Hanafi riddles, and Mamluk-Ottoman entanglements. His awards include the 2018 Malcolm H. Kerr Dissertation Award and Christian Gottlob Heyne Award. He supervises doctoral students and participates in international seminars, including the Balzan Seminar on Muslim state formation. His office hours (Tue 4:15–6:00 PM) are open for academic consultation at Fabeckstr. 23/25, Berlin.

• Premodern Islamic history
• Mamluk Sultanate studies
• Islamic court cultures
• +9 more

Dr. Irene Calà is a Researcher at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) and Ulm Universität, specializing in ancient medicine and Byzantine philology. Her work focuses on the textual transmission of medical works from Late Antiquity, particularly Aetius of Amida’s Libri medicinales . She holds a PhD from Università di Bologna and has held postdoctoral positions at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and the Max Planck Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte. Education: PhD in Byzantine Philology, Università di Bologna (2012) Master’s in Classical Letters, Università degli Studi di Palermo (2008) Research Interests: Medical manuscripts of Late Antiquity Transmission of Galenic texts into Syriac and Latin History of pharmacology and gynaecology Manuscript paleography and codicology Current Projects: DFG-funded critical edition of Aetius’ Libri medicinales Books 10/14 (2018–2024) Analysis of Syriac Galen Palimpsest manuscripts Teaching: Medical Terminology courses at Ulm Universität Seminars on Aetius’ manuscript tradition at Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin Labs/Networks: Member of ‘Interpreters of Medicine’ research group (Castilla-La Mancha University) Associated with ‘Médecine grecque’ (CNRS UMR 8167, Paris)

• Ancient Medicine
• Byzantine Philology
• Medical Textual Transmission
• +3 more

Dr. Ute Pietruschka (b. 1959) is a senior research fellow at the Academy of Sciences Göttingen and associate researcher in the Seminar für Arabistik/Islamwissenschaft, University of Göttingen. From 2001-2021 she taught as Lehrbeauftragte at the Oriental Institute, University of Halle, after earlier appointments at Queensland and Marburg. Her projects include the Corpus of Arabic and Syriac Gnomologia and the Union Catalogue of Oriental Manuscripts in Germany. Education & Career 1982 Diplom, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (Arabic & Christian-oriental languages) 1986 Dr. phil. Halle, thesis on Ethiopian transmission of Greek philosophical sayings 1985-1992 wiss. Mitarbeiterin / Oberassistentin, University of Halle 1992-1994 Lecturer, University of Queensland 1994-2001 Assistentin, University of Marburg 2001-2021 Lecturer, Oriental Institute, University of Halle 2012-2022 Senior researcher, Academy of Sciences Göttingen Research Interests Pietruschka investigates the circulation of Greek wisdom literature into Arabic, Syriac, Coptic and Ethiopic cultures. Using philological and Digital-Humanities methods she edits gnomologia, traces manuscript transmission, and studies the educational role of monasteries and schools in the Islamicate world. Additional interests include the representation of nomads in Syriac writing and the reuse of biblical material in Islamic adab. Publication Profile Recent articles cluster around three thrusts: (1) Edition and analysis of Greek-Arabic gnomologia and doxographies, showing how compilations like Ps.-Plutarch’s Placita served as textbooks; (2) Study of Christian Arabic and Syriac wisdom collections, especially the monastic Apophthegmata Patrum and their pedagogical Sitz im Leben; (3) Codicological surveys of Coptic and Karšūnī manuscripts, highlighting monasteries as intellectual hubs after the Islamic conquest. Projects & Grants Head, Corpus der arabischen und syrischen Gnomologien (since 2011, continuation planned 2023-) Co-leader (with Jürgen Tubach) DFG-SFB project “Das Bild des Nomaden in der syrischen Literatur” (2004-2008) Senior researcher, Union Catalogue of Oriental Manuscripts in Germany, Göttingen Academy (2012-2022) Teaching & Digital Humanities Together with Dr. Marco Büchler (Leipzig) she regularly offers courses on Digital Humanities applied to Semitic manuscript cultures, combining codicology, XML/TEI and network analysis.

• Graeco-Arabic transmission
• Christian Arabic literature
• Oriental manuscript studies
• +5 more

Dr. Izabela Jurasz is a researcher at the Institute of Classical Philology at Humboldt University of Berlin, specializing in ancient philosophy, Syriac texts, and early Christian theology. She holds a doctorate and is affiliated with the Greek Studies section. Her work focuses on figures like Bardesanes, Plotinus, and Alexander of Aphrodisias, exploring themes such as cosmology, dualism, mysticism, and exegesis of ancient texts. Affiliations: Humboldt University of Berlin (Institute of Classical Philology), AvH Professorship project Research Interests: Syriac philosophy, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, ancient cosmology, biblical exegesis, and the interplay between Greek and Syriac intellectual traditions. Her publications analyze Bardesanes’ cosmological systems, Plotinus’ metaphysics, and the philosophical debates in late antiquity. She participates in workshops on ancient medicine and philosophy, such as the 'Medical Puzzles' and 'Galen as Commentator' events at Humboldt University. She also contributes to projects like 'Visions of the History of Greek Philosophy in Late Antiquity.' Grants & Collaborations: Involved in DFG long-term projects and international symposia on ancient philosophy and Syriac studies. She leads or co-leads initiatives on Platonizing Sethianism and the reception of Greek philosophy in Syriac contexts.

• Classical Philology
• Ancient Philosophy
• Early Christian Thought
• +3 more

Dr. Ali B. Langroudi is a Lecturer and Research Assistant at the Department of Iranian Studies, University of Göttingen, Germany. His expertise spans Persian manuscripts, interreligious interactions, and the literature of Persian-speaking Christian and Jewish communities. He is currently completing his PhD on early Persian Gospel manuscripts and contributes to educational and organizational activities at Göttingen. Academic Coordinator, M.A. Course of Mediterranean Studies (2018–Present) Lecturer and Research Assistant, Institute of Iranian Studies (2018–Present) Prior roles: Research Assistant at University of Bonn (2017–2018), Translation Assistant in Cologne (2017–2018) His research integrates philology, biblical studies, and cultural anthropology, with a focus on Persian-language religious texts. Publications include studies on Sogdian pneumatology, Persian Gospel translations, and encyclopedic entries on Iranian cultural figures. Recent teaching covers Syriac literature, Persian scripts, and Indo-Persian records. Scientific awards include the 2013 Lazio region degree award. He has participated in international conferences on Syriac Christianity, Persian missions, and interreligious dialogue in Europe and Asia.

• Persian Manuscripts
• Persian Literature
• Interreligious Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Ali B. Langroudi is a Research Associate at the Dubnow Institute in Leipzig, Germany, affiliated with the Ignaz-Goldziher research program since 2025. His academic foundation includes a bachelor's degree and first M.A. in Historical-Religious Studies from the University of Rome, a second M.A. in Ecumenical Studies from the University of Bonn, and a Ph.D. in Iranian Studies from the University of Göttingen. Prior to his current position, he held roles as a research associate and academic coordinator at the University of Göttingen and was a scholarship holder at the University of Trier's Faculty of Theology. Langroudi specializes in religious and cultural intersections, with primary research concentrations in: Jewish-Muslim-Christian relations in historical Persia Textual analysis of Persian biblical manuscripts Interfaith dynamics in early modern Isfahan Transmission of Christian texts in Iranian contexts His methodological approach emphasizes philological precision and manuscript studies across Persian, Judeo-Persian, and Sogdian sources. His scholarly publications demonstrate consistent focus on Persian biblical texts with these thematic patterns: Textual criticism of gospel manuscripts across linguistic traditions Colophon analysis revealing scribal practices and cultural contexts Comparative studies of Christian communities in Persianate societies Interreligious translation methodologies from the 18th century onward No awards, student advisements, research grants, or laboratory affiliations are documented in available materials.

• Religious Studies
• Iranian Studies
• Biblical Manuscripts
• +3 more

Habib Ibrahim is a Research Fellow at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Humanities, Department of History, where he works in the Seminar for Ancient History as part of the Emmy Noether Research Group "Religious Conflict and Mobility, 700-900". His research focuses on early Christian Arabic textual traditions and cross-cultural religious exchanges in the medieval Mediterranean world. He earned his PhD (2016) and MA (2011) in Religious History from the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris, establishing expertise in Arabic translations of Byzantine religious literature. His educational background provides the foundation for his critical edition work on patristic and hagiographic texts. Dr. Ibrahim's research centers on the production and transmission of Christian Arabic literature between the 7th-10th centuries, with particular emphasis on Greek-Arabic translation movements, monastic textual traditions, and the adaptation of Byzantine religious concepts in Arabic contexts. His work reveals how religious conflict and mobility shaped textual production during the transition from antiquity to the medieval period in the Near East. Analysis of his 13 publications (2015-2024) shows consistent focus on manuscript studies of Christian Arabic texts, particularly hagiographies and patristic translations. Key trends include critical editions of unpublished manuscripts, examination of translation techniques, and contextual analysis of religious texts within Byzantine-Arabic cultural intersections. His work bridges Arabic philology, religious history, and manuscript studies. Dr. Ibrahim currently holds research funding through the Emmy Noether Research Group grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG), supporting his work on religious dynamics between 700-900 AD. He also contributes to the TYPARABIC project on Arabic-type printed books, demonstrating engagement with both medieval manuscripts and early modern print culture. His teaching includes specialized courses on Early Christian Arabic Literature. He operates within the Seminar for Ancient History at Tübingen, collaborating with an international team in the Emmy Noether group to investigate religious conflict and mobility through interdisciplinary methodologies combining textual analysis, historical geography, and cultural studies.

• Early Christian Arabic Literature
• Greek-Arabic Translations
• Patristics
• +1 more

Lennart Lehmhaus (PhD, 2013) is Akademischer Rat (≈ assistant professor) at the Institute for Jewish and Religious Studies, Faculty of Protestant Theology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. Previously he was a post-doc researcher and lecturer at Freie Universität Berlin (DFG-SFB 980 “Episteme in Motion”), a Rothfeld and Albert J. Wood Fellow at the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies (University of Pennsylvania), and Harry Starr Fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Jewish Studies. Education PhD (Dr. phil., summa cum laude), Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, 2013 MA (magna cum laude), Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf & Gerhard-Mercator-Universität Duisburg, 2006 Year-long study program, Hebrew University Jerusalem, 2002–2003 Polish language & culture, Jagiellonen-University Kraków, 2004/2005 Research Interests Lehmhaus investigates ancient and medieval Jewish cultures through rabbinic and Talmudic texts, focusing on the history of medicine, knowledge production, and sciences in Late Antiquity and the early Islamicate period. He explores how Jewish traditions of healing, pharmacology, and medical lore interacted with Graeco-Roman, Byzantine, Syriac, Persian and early Islamic medical discourses, and how these traditions were transmitted, transformed, and re-appropriated across cultures. Additional interests include the literary and ethical dimensions of Midrash, contemporary Jewish identity and culture, and the trajectories of Jewish motifs from antiquity to modern Israeli and American contexts. Research Output Trends Across more than 35 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, Lehmhaus consistently combines philological precision with comparative cultural analysis. His work moves from close readings of rabbinic lists and recipes to broad questions of epistemic strategies, pain and suffering, disability, gynaecology, and the construction of medical authority. Recurring themes include the role of lists and catalogues as epistemic tools, the intersection of medicine with ethics and martyrdom, and the transcultural flow of pharmacological knowledge. His forthcoming monograph Talmudic Bodies of Knowledge and multi-volume Sourcebook of Medical Passages in Talmudic Texts will consolidate these strands. Scientific Awards & Fellowships Albert J. Wood Fellow, Katz Center, University of Pennsylvania (2024–2025) Rothfeld Research Fellow, Katz Center (2017–2018) Harry Starr Research Fellow, Center for Jewish Studies, Harvard University (2016–2017) Grants & Collaborative Networks Lehmhaus is Principal Investigator and coordinator of the DFG-funded research network Between Encyclopaedia and Epitome – Talmudic strategies of knowledge-making in the context of ancient medicine and sciences (2022–2026), a collaboration between Tübingen University, University College London, and Freie Universität Berlin. Editorial & Series Leadership He is the founding editor (2022-) of the monograph series ASK – Ancient Cultures of Sciences and Knowledge (Mohr Siebeck) and has edited or co-edited multiple volumes, including Defining Jewish Medicine (2021, open access) and Collecting Recipes: Byzantine and Jewish Pharmacology in Dialogue (2017).

• Ancient Judaism
• Rabbinic/Talmudic Literature
• History of Medicine in Premodern Judaism
• +3 more

Johannes Pahlitzsch is a Professor of Byzantine Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He holds a habilitation (2008) and PhD (1998) from Free University of Berlin, with research focused on Byzantine-Arab relations, Christian communities under Islamic rule, and cultural transfer in the Eastern Mediterranean. He has held visiting positions at institutions like Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study and Wolfson College, Oxford. Education: 2008: Habilitation in Byzantine and Arabic Studies (Berlin) 1998: PhD in Medieval History (Berlin, summa cum laude) 1993: MA in Medieval History (Berlin, excellent) 1989: Church Music (Berlin) His research spans Byzantine legal history, monasticism, and intercommunal relations in Crusader states and Mamluk territories. He has edited the Mainz Publications on Byzantine Studies series (since 2014) and co-edited works on Euro-Mediterranean war cultures (2024). His articles analyze pious foundations, Garšūnī scripts, and conflict resolution mechanisms. Scientific Awards: Onassis Foundation Research Grant (2014/15) Princeton Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship (2019) Annemarie-Schimmel-Kolleg Fellowship (2011/12) Gerda Henkel Foundation Scholarship (2003-2005) Alexander-Böhlig Award for Dissertations (2002) He has served as Spokesman for GRK 2304 'Byzantium and the Euro-Mediterranean War Cultures' (since 2018) and directed the Historical Seminar at Mainz (2011-2013). His editorial work includes co-editing Victors and Vanquished (2024) and advising on projects like Christian-Muslim Relations: A Bibliographical History (2009-2013).

• Byzantine Studies
• Medieval History
• Christian-Muslim Relations
• +3 more

Nikita Kuzin is a Researcher at the Institute of Semitic Studies , affiliated with the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universität Berlin. His work focuses on Aramaic and Semitic linguistics, particularly Neo-Aramaic dialects like Ṭuroyo, with an emphasis on morphology, language contact, and comparative studies. Contact: Room 1.1006, Fabeckstraße 23-25, 14195 Berlin; Email: nikita.kuzin@fu-berlin.de Teaching: Offers courses such as "Aramäische Sprachwissenschaft und Dialektologie" and "Vergleichende Semitistik" for advanced students. Research Areas: Kuzin’s research spans templatic morphology, adaptation of Arabic and Kurmanji verbs in Ṭuroyo, labile verbs, grammatical voice, and valency changes. He investigates language contact phenomena between Semitic and non-Semitic languages in the Middle East and contributes to the preservation of endangered dialects through corpus studies and digital editions. Publications: Key works include studies on Neo-Aramaic dialects, comparative Semitic linguistics, and oral literature analysis. His recent projects focus on linguistic relics in Jewish Arabic dialects of Mesopotamia and historical interactions on the Roman-Sasanian frontier. Academic Engagement: Kuzin actively presents at international conferences such as the Semitic Dialectology Conference (2025) and the Deutscher Orientalistentag, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and field-specific innovations.

• Aramaic Linguistics
• Semitic Dialectology
• Neo-Aramaic Dialects
• +3 more

Prof. Christian Blumenthal is a University Professor and Chairholder of New Testament Exegesis at the University of Bonn’s Faculty of Catholic Theology. He serves as Dean of Studies and Managing Director of the BCDSS. His academic journey includes studies in philosophy, Catholic theology, and Oriental languages (Coptic, Armenian, Syriac, Arabic) at Bonn, Munich, and Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute. Ordained as a Catholic priest in 2007, he earned his habilitation in 2015 and assumed his current chair in 2021. Research focuses on early Jewish and New Testament theology, spatial concepts in biblical texts, and ancient translations. Current projects explore 'New Testament Spatial Concepts' and 'Literary Ambiguities in New Testament Writings.' He actively contributes to scholarly societies like the SNTS and AKN. Publications span monographs (e.g., Basileia im Matthäusevangelium ) and peer-reviewed articles analyzing spatial politics, translation techniques, and theological narratives. Teaching responsibilities include mentoring theology students at RWTH Aachen and leading seminars in Bonn. Consultation hours are held by appointment via email at cblument@uni-bonn.de. His work bridges biblical exegesis, cultural studies, and interdisciplinary theological inquiry.

• New Testament Exegesis
• Theology and Narrative
• Ancient Translations
• +3 more

PD Dr. Oliver Overwien is a Lecturer in Classical Philology at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, affiliated with the Department of Classics within the Faculty of Language, Literature and Humanities. He leads the DFG-long term project 'Galens Kommentar zu den Hippokratischen Aphorismen' (since 2024), focusing on ancient medical texts and their transmission through late antiquity and the Islamicate world. Education & Career: Studied Classical Philology and Theology at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (1991–1997), graduating with 1st State Exam PhD in Greek Studies (2002), habilitated in Classical Philology and History of Science (2020) Research roles at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, and Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften before joining Humboldt-Universität in 2010 Research Interests: Editing ancient medical texts (Hippocrates, Galen) Transmission of classical medical texts into Syriac and Arabic traditions Translation techniques of medieval Islamic scholars like Hunayn ibn Ishaq Medical education systems in late antique Alexandria Advising & Projects: Supervised PhD projects on Hippocratic biographies, Galenic commentaries, and ancient medical texts Co-leads major research initiatives on Galen’s works and late antique medical transmission Labs/Teams: Core member of the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship team and collaborator in the Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften.

• Classical Philology
• Ancient Medicine
• Syriac and Arabic Textual Traditions
• +3 more

Elizaveta Shcherbakova is a doctoral candidate (Doktorandin) at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin's Department of Classics, affiliated with the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship. Her research focuses on the early history of pneuma theory and its roots in Presocratic philosophy and ancient medicine. She holds a Candidate of Sciences degree from Moscow State University and has held roles including Adjunct Lecturer at the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Education: 09/2003-09/2006: BA in Classics, Moscow State University 10/2006-09/2008: MPhil/MA in Classics, Moscow State University 2010-2014: Candidate of Sciences (PhD equivalent), Moscow State University Her research interests bridge classical philology, ancient philosophy, and the history of medicine. Key areas include the conceptualization of pneuma in early medical texts like the Pseudo-Hippocratic corpus, Presocratic thinkers' contributions to psycho-physiological doctrines, and the intellectual legacy of Heraclitus. Recent publications analyze intertextuality in Vergil’s Eclogues, editorial approaches to Heraclitus fragments, and pneuma theory’s formative stages. Her current project explores the intellectual origins of concepts like innate heat and the locus of cognition, tracing their development from Presocratic thought to Hellenistic medicine. This work addresses gaps in understanding how these ideas shaped later philosophical and scientific traditions across cultures. Advising and grants: No formal advisees listed. Affiliated with the Humboldt University's Classics Department and the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship program. Labs/Teams: Part of the Classics Department's research initiatives on ancient medicine and philosophy, collaborating within the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship framework.

• Classical Philology
• Ancient Philosophy
• History of Medicine
• +3 more