Dieter Josef Schillinger (Germany) has been Deputy Director General Biosciences at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) since 2016 where he is responsible for ILRI’s animal and human health, feed and forages, and livestock genetics research programs across Africa and Asia. During this period Dieter played key roles in developing ILRI as a business-oriented research organization, including leading the establishment of a CGIAR AMR Hub led by ILRI, ILRI’s One Health Centre, and a Contract Research Organization based at ILRI. Between 2009 and 2015 Dieter served on ILRI’s Board of Trustees, where he chaired the Audit Committee for four years.
Dieter studied mechanical engineering in Regensburg, Germany, and veterinary medicine in Munich, Germany, where he graduated as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dieter also holds an MBA from Brunel University, UK, and an Honorary Doctorate from the Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany. He is a veterinarian with 30 years’ experience in the animal health area that includes experience in applied animal science, tropical veterinary medicine and the development, licensing, marketing and sales of animal health products.
Prior to joining ILRI, Dieter held various positions in research, clinical development, marketing, general management, and government affairs in private sector companies, and in international research projects including membership of the selection panel of the IDRC funded Livestock Vaccination Innovation Fund and the Scientific Advisory Committee of the VIDO lead Livestock Vaccines for Developing Farmers project.
From 2000 to 2016 Dieter has been involved in international animal health trade associations. From 2003 to 2012 he was elected as the President of the German animal health industry trade association (BfT). Dieter has extensive experience in interacting with top business leaders, government officials, donor organization executives and food chain stakeholders from different nationalities and cultures. He is also the founding chairperson of the NGO “Action Africa Help” and acted as Chair of this not-for-profit humanitarian organization for over seven years.
Currently, Dieter is a board member of the contract research organization KLIFOVET, of GALVmed and of VIDO-Intervac in Canada. He is also a member of the EU funded scientific steering committee of STAR IDAZ, International Research Consortium on Animal Health
