Ralf Bender

Prof. Dr. Ralf Bender holds a chair in observational and experimental astrophysics at the University Observatory Munich (since 1994) and serves as a director at the Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (since 2002). He is also Vice-Dean of Physics at Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich since 2007.

• Doctoral degree from University of Heidelberg (1987)
• NATO Fellowship at University of Oxford (1990/1991)
• Beatrice-Tinsley Visiting Professor at University of Texas in Austin (2004/2005)

Research Interests:

• Galaxy structure and evolution
• Nuclear black holes
• Dark matter distribution

Scientific Awards:

• Member of the German National Academy of Sciences 'Leopoldina'