Markus Keller
Markus Keller, born in 1976, studied technical biology with a specialization in bioprocess engineering and a minor in marine biology at the University of Stuttgart after completing civilian service in emergency medical services.
Research stays took him, among other places, to Australia to a laboratory involved in the successful development of a plant-based medication against melanoma. In Turkey and Thailand, he worked on a conservation project with sea turtles. Throughout his studies, he continued his activity as an emergency medical technician.
He first came into contact with cleanroom and sterilization technology at the Institute of Bioprocess Engineering at the University of Stuttgart. Under Prof. Dr. Reuss, he was involved in planning and conducting numerous fed-batch bi fermentations of genetically modified bacteria.
After starting his professional career at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, he began working at Fraunhofer IPA in 2006. His role as a research associate in the Reinst- and Microproduction Department includes contamination control in the fields of life sciences, materials science, and medical technology.
A method he developed, closely related to industry, for assessing the outgassing behavior of materials was successfully incorporated into VDI Guideline 2083 Sheet 17. The VDI Guideline 2083 Sheet 18 "Biocontamination" was created under his leadership. As part of the EU project NANODEVICE, Markus Keller is leading the development of a portable measuring device for detecting airborne carbon nanotubes (CNT), which will later be used for workplace protection.
In his free time, he organizes and leads outdoor activities for children and adults for the Nature Friends and ERD Stuttgart.
What did you want to become as a child?
Marine biologist or forester
What was your first car?
A brown VW T4 Bulli named "Good old mama"
What can you look forward to?
Being outdoors in nature with my family and friends, preferably on mountain tours.
Which achievement are you particularly proud of?
Having mastered the Old Telegraph Track to Cape York in Australia with my own four-wheel drive just before the rainy season.
Which technical achievement do you admire the most?
Aviation and all its technical marvels
Who would you like to swap lives with for a month?
Actually no one. It would be interesting to be a hut warden at an alpine mountain hut.
In which country would you like to have a second residence?
In Switzerland or Australia
Whom would you like to meet?
Charles Darwin or Alexander von Humboldt as travel companions on their excursions
Which book would you currently recommend?
"How long will the water resource last?" by Wolfram Mauser. About the handling of the blue gold. A highly topical issue, given that there have already been several civil wars over water scarcity. Additionally, all books in the "Forum for Responsibility" series are worth reading.
What is your favorite food?
Dumplings in all variations, preferably those from our local butcher. And of course, my wife's yeast braid.
What is your favorite music?
I play in a big band, so jazz, funk, and soul; ideally live. But also classical-symphonic music.
What was the best advice you've ever received?
Always stay true to yourself
Do you have a motto?
The future should not be predicted but made possible. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Markus Keller
Dipl.-Biol. (technically oriented)
Project Manager for Cleanroom and Microproduction
Tel. +49 711 9701560
Fax +49 711 9701007
markus.keller@ipa.fraunhofer.de
Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation IPA
Nobelstraße 12
D 70569 Stuttgart
