LIGHT SYMPOSIUM WISMAR - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Lecturer
• Physician
• Researcher
• Member of the German Lighting Society

Alexander Wunsch is a physician, researcher and lecturer in light medicine and photobiology with particular interest in the effects of light and the beneficial/adverse health impacts of solar radiation and artificial light sources on endocrine and cellular levels in humans. He conducts studies on the photobiological effects of optical (UV, VIS and IR) radiation. In his private medical practice in Heidelberg he uses therapeutic light spectra in combination with other biophysically based treatments, and develops lighting equipment for medical and cosmetic purposes. He is associate lecturer at the Wismar University of Applied Sciences and mentors students writing their master's theses on light- and health-related topics. Alexander Wunsch presents at international conferences and operates as a consultant for federal authorities, media, and industry. Alexander Wunsch is a member of the German Lighting Society (LiTG) and former president and member of the International Light Association (ILA).

Catherine Pérez Vega, is a Panamanian interdisciplinary designer and researcher. She holds a bachelor degree in Product Design from L'École Supérieure de Design from France and a master degree in Architectural Lighting Design at Hochschule Wismar, University of Applied Sciences, Technology, Business, and Design, Germany. She is currently a Doctoral candidate in Biology at Freie Universität Berlin, Germany with her research taking place at the Light Pollution and Ecophysiology research group of Leibniz Institute for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries. Her work involves the interphase of ecology and architectural lighting to mitigate environmental solutions for urban lighting design applications.

Job Titles:

• Director of the ERGONOMIC Institute

Ahmet Çakir, is Director of the ERGONOMIC Institute, Berlin. He studied telecommunication technology at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. After receiving his doctorate degree in lighting technology, he served a research fellow with the Institute of Ergonomics, where he investigated VDT utilisation in German industries, sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The scientific outcome of this study forms the main basis for German standards governing computerised workplaces. He was the principal author of "The VDT Manual", which was published in five languages. Dr. Ahmet Çakir is Director of the ERGONOMIC Institute, Berlin. He studied telecommunication technology at the Technical University of Berlin. After receiving his doctor ™s degree in lighting technology, he became a research fellow with the Institute of Ergonomics, where he conducted an investigation of VDT utilisation in German industries, sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The scientific outcome of this study forms the main basis for German standards governing computerised workplaces. He was the principal author of œThe VDT Manual , which was published in five languages, œa landmark event in human computer interaction (Brian Shackel). Since 1980 he has been the scientific manager of the ERGONOMIC Institute for Social and Occupational Sciences in Berlin. He is a fellow of the Ergonomic Society and editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Behaviour & Information Technology. Dr. Çakir is chair of the international committee ISO/TC159/SC4/WG3 responsible for the standardisation of workspace and the work environment, and of the national German committee NAErg/NIA: Ergonomics for Information Processing Systems.

Job Titles:

• Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Architecture
• University of Applied Sciences Technology, Business and Design / Faculty of Architecture and Design / Email

Dr. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska completed her studies of Architecture and Urban Planning at GUT, Poland and Architectural Engineering at HAWK, Germany. As a trained architect, she pursued a career in lighting by working for several world-renowned lighting design firms in Berlin, London, New York, and Zürich. She has 10+ years of international experience in the completion of medium and large scale interior and exterior design projects and in the project management for clients from corporate, institutional, retail, hospitality and transportation sectors. In 2013 she obtained her Ph.D. from GUT, Poland, where she translated her practice-based knowledge in architectural lighting into theoretical guidelines for architects, for which she was recognized with the 2014 Polish Prime Minister's Research Award. In 2015 she was awarded the Professional Lighting Design Recognition Award 2015 in the category "Research" for her work and research on the non-visual effects on light for humans, flora and fauna. In 2013 Karolina co-founded the firm designs-4-people [d4p], where she currently practices as a lighting designer, educator, and researcher. She has participated in a number of international conferences, and has written articles for national and international publications. She is also a professional member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska, is a practising lighting architect, researcher & educator. She completed her Master's degree (2002) and PhD degree (2013) in Architecture and Urban Planning at Gdańsk University of Technology (GUT), Poland. She also has a degree in Architectural Engineering at HAWK, Hildesheim, Germany (2004). Since 2018, Karolina is also an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Gdansk University of Technology, Poland, and co-founder of GUT LightLab, where she conducts research on various aspects of light and lighting in the built environment. She was recognized with Polish Prime Minister's Research Award (2014), and the Professional Lighting Design Recognition Award in the category "Research" for her work and research on the non-visual effects on light for humans, flora and fauna (2015). And recently she was awarded the IDA's Galileo Research Award (2020). She is also actively engaged in the Technical Committee work of international organisations such as the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), and International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), providing guidelines and sharing best practice for night-time illumination in the built and natural environment. Karolina joined Light Symposium Wismar (LSW) in 2014, and is Co-Chair of Scientific Committee.

Job Titles:

• Managing Director of the ERGONOMIC Institute for Social
• Member of Several DIN Standard Committees

Gisela Çakir, is Managing Director of the ERGONOMIC Institute for Social and Occupational Sciences in Berlin, Germany and a consultant in ergonomics, light and lighting. Gisela has been a member of several DIN standard committees for artificial lighting. Since 2000 she has been a member of the board of FitLicht e.V. Gisela Çakir finished her studies of telecommunication technology at the Technical University of Berlin in 1972. Upon graduating, she worked as a computer specialist for Siemens until 1979. After that, to 2005, she was the Managing Director of the ERGONOMIC Institute for Social and Occupational Sciences in Berlin, where she was also a scientific assistant. Today she works as a consultant in ergonomics, light and lighting. Gisela Çakir has been a member of several DIN standard committees for artificial lighting. Since 2000 she has been a member of the board of FitLicht e.V.

Job Titles:

• Founding Member of the Federation of International Lighting Designers

Prof. Dr. Heinrich Kramer has been working with lighting design for more than 30 years. Since graduating in Electrical Engineering from RWTH Aachen, Germany in 1965 and obtaining his Ph.D degree from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany/D, he has devoted his efforts exclusively to lighting design. From 1971 to 1980, he was head of the Marketing, Research and Development Department of a luminaire design manufacturer. In 1980, together with H. T. von Malotki, he founded the LICHTDESIGN studio in Cologne, Germany and in 1990 he became the general manager of the company. During this time he designed artificial and natural lighting for projects with many famous architects such as: Hollein, Foster, Meier, Nouvel, Pei and Ungers. Heinrich Kramer, is a retired practicing lighting designer and educator. He graduated in Electrical Engineering from RWTH Aachen, Germany in 1965, and obtained PhD degree from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany. He has since devoted his efforts exclusively to lighting design. From 1971 to 1980, he was head of the Marketing, Research and Development Department for a luminaire manufacturer.In 1980, together with H. T. von Malotki, he founded LICHTDESIGN studio in Cologne, Germany. Since 1990, he served as the general manager of the company. During his tenure, he has designed artificial and natural lighting for projects with many famous architects such as: Hollein, Foster, Meier, Nouvel, Pei and Ungers. Heinrich also owns several patents in luminaire design. He was a founding member of the European Lighting Designers‘ Association (ELDA+) and was made a fellow member of the PLDA after a period of four years as its President (1995-1999). Since 1988, he has been lecturing at the Faculty of Architecture of RWTH Aachen University. In 2000 he became an honorary professor at the same faculty, and since 2006 he has held the title of Professor Emeritus. He is a member of several national and international committees responsible for the standardisation of light and lighting (DIN, LiTG, CIE). Since 2014, Prof. Kramer has been a founding member of the Federation of International Lighting Designers (FILD).

Job Titles:

• Professor
• University of Applied Sciences Technology, Business and Design / Faculty of Architecture and Design / Address

Professor Michael F. Rohde completed his studies of architecture at Karlsruhe University. After three years of practice as an architect, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Light and Lighting from the Bartlett School of Architecture at UCL in London. In 1998 he founded L Plan Lighting Design, an independent lighting design practice in Berlin. He has wide experience of lighting in all areas of artificial and day lighting design. Since September 2006, Professor Rohde has been teaching as a Professor of Architectural Lighting Design and Architecture at the Hochschule Wismar, University of Technology, Business and Design Wismar, Germany. Michael currently works primarily as an independent lighting designer and as an educator.