Prof. Dr. Bernhard Middendorf studied mineralogy at the University of Cologne and earned his PhD in chemistry at the University of Siegen. After 12 years as an academic counselor at the University of Kassel, he went on to become University Professor for the Chair of Structural Materials at TU Dortmund. Since 2012, he has been University Professor and Chair of Structural Materials and Construction Chemistry at the University of Kassel and Director of the Materials Testing Institute there. Prof. Middendorf also holds two visiting professorships and is active on numerous boards and committees.