75th Birthday of Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dres. h. c. Adolf Nahrstedt

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dres. h. c. Adolf Nahrstedt

Natural products scientists do not work in isolation. They write papers, they read publications of fellow scientists in their field of research, and they meet other researchers at conferences all over the world. In this process, some distinguished individuals play a special and outstanding role – they become Editor-in-Chief of a scientific journal. In this role, they guide authors through the publication process and establish a collaborative relationship with authors to help them improve the quality of their work. The ability to make an objective and fair assessment of a manuscript is important in that context. An Editor-in-Chief of a journal needs to be a good leader and communicator so that he can clearly inform authors of their decisions and ensure that the lines of communication with the rest of the editorial team and the publisher are clear.

All these requirements can only be accomplished through a combination of rare talents: unusually broad scientific interests and knowledge, unfailing intuition for good manuscripts, strong leadership skills, and a certain kind of charisma that brings people together. All of this is present in Prof. Dr. Adolf Nahrstedt to whom this Special Issue is dedicated on the occasion of his 75th birthday on August 9th this year.

Professor Nahrstedt has been associated with Planta Medica, the official journal of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Products Research (GA) for more than 30 years, first as Co-Editor (1983–1992), later as Editor-in-Chief (EiC) (1993–2004), and Senior Editor (2005 – present). During his tenure as EiC Professor Nahrstedt developed Planta Medica from an Europe-centered specialist journal to a truly international and highly regarded interdisciplinary forum for Pharmaceutical Biologists and other scientists interested in the multifaceted field of natural products.

This success would not have been possible without an extraordinary personal dedication to the journal, hard work, and countless hours on weekends spent in his office. He brought extreme attention to every single manuscript. His marks and comments penciled in virtually all submitted papers to be further distributed to co-editors and reviewers were witness of his thoroughness, and of his desire to assist scientists from all over the world to improve their manuscripts. Despite his unfailing quest for quality Prof. Nahrstedt was always extremely fair and supportive to authors, and this is probably the reason for his unbroken popularity among natural products researchers worldwide. He attained the status of a “rock star”; over the last decade for his enormous contribution to Planta Medica, and his always superior relations to authors and readers worldwide.

For those who have had the privilege to know him more personally he remains the very much appreciated, sensitive and interested listener who exudes natural human warmth and cherishes faithful and enduring friendship.

This Special Issue contains 31 contributions from leading natural products scientists, former collaborators and friends of Prof. Nahrstedt from all over the world. These articles are dedicated to Prof. Nahrstedtʼs distinguished career, excellent leadership and charming personality, and they cover high-impact areas and new directions in natural products research. We extend our thanks to all these distinguished authors for joining this celebration.

GA and the members of the Editorial Board of Planta Medica cordially congratulate Prof. Nahrstedt. They wish him a wonderful 75th birthday, continued scientific activity, happiness, health, and further creative achievements for the years to come!

Veronika Butterweck and Matthias Hamburger