FENS In Memoriam: Prof. Hans-Joachim Pflüger

04 February 2022

FENS News

FENS was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of our past treasurer, Professor Hans-Joachim Pflüger (1949-2022).

Hans-Joachim Pflüger was a Professor of Neurobiology and Functional Neuroanatomy at the Free University of Berlin, Germany. He was also one of the 15 founding members of the German Neuroscience Society (GNS) and served on several advisory committees and boards of other prominent neuroscience organisations. At FENS, Prof. Pflüger served as treasurer from 2010-2012 and provided excellent advice and oversight, ensuring a sound financial standing for the organisation and support for the European neuroscience community as a whole.

On behalf of FENS leadership, FENS Secretary General, Professor Dóra Reglodi (Hungary), remarked,

“Jochen was a very dedicated scientist and FENS Executive Board member who did not confine his involvement to the tasks of a treasurer only. FENS owes him a lot for his unrelenting support. Jochen was an exceptional researcher, leader and friend with a vigorous spirit and talent for creating an enjoyable atmosphere around him. He will be remembered by his family, friends, research endeavours and will live forever in the scientific community.”

Professor Pflüger’s research interest focused on the neuronal control of movements, particularly the role of neuromodulators in motor control and how neuromodulatory neurons can modulate signal processing in a task-specific manner. He investigated this in a comparative neurobiological approach, primarily on insects, and increased understanding of the relationships between the structure and function of single neurons by carrying out anatomical analyses of entire nervous systems, including their spatial reconstructions.

FENS extends its deepest condolences to Prof. Pflüger’s family, colleagues and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.

For Prof. Pflüger’s full obituary (in German), please see the German Neuroscience Society website. The English version can be downloaded here.