Braun-Falco, Otto

Otto Braun-Falco (born April 25, 1922, in Saarbrücken; died April 9, 2018, in Munich) was a German dermatologist, university professor, and one of the most internationally renowned figures in German-language dermatology of the 20th century. His research focused on dermatopathology, inflammatory dermatology—particularly psoriasis—and the clinical and experimental study of skin diseases. For decades, Braun-Falco shaped university dermatology in Germany and became particularly well-known for his seminal work *Dermatology and Venereology* (Braun-Falco).

Academic Biography: Graduated from high school (Abitur) in Kassel in 1940. Began medical studies in Münster. 1943–1946: Studies interrupted by military service and captivity. 1948: Passed the state medical examination in Mainz; began specialized training in dermatology under Egon Keining. 1949: Awarded the degree of Dr. med. in Mainz. 1954: Habilitation in dermatology and venereology at the University of Mainz. Since 1955: Senior physician at the University Dermatology Clinic in Mainz. 1960: Appointed adjunct professor. 1961: Appointed full professor of dermatology and venereology at the University of Marburg. 1965–1966: Dean of the Marburg School of Medicine. 1967: Appointed to Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich as the successor to Alfred Marchionini. 1967–1990: Full professor and director of the University Dermatology Clinic in Munich. 1990: Retired; Braun-Falco remained director of the clinic until 1991. On April 9, 2018, Otto Braun-Falco passed away in Munich at the age of 95.

1. Christophers, E. (2018) In Memoriam: Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Otto Braun-Falco. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 16:817–818. Czarnecka-Operacz, M., et al. (2018): Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. mult. Otto Braun-Falco—a person one will never forget. Przegl Dermatol 105:460.
2. Otto Braun-Falco (1922–2018)—Obituary by the Bavarian Academy of Sciences
3. Meurer, M. (2018) Obituary for Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. mult. Otto Braun-Falco. *Hautarzt* 69:783–784.

Scientific and Professional Contributions: Braun-Falco was one of the leading figures in postwar clinical dermatology. He combined clinical-morphological diagnostics with dermatohistological, immunological, and experimental investigative methods. His scientific body of work comprises approximately 700 publications. He was particularly committed to international collaboration in dermatology and to fostering the next generation of scientists.

Key Positions:

- 1972–1973: President of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR).

- 1977–1982: President of the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS).

- 1982–1985: President of the German Dermatological Society (DDG).

- Long-time editor of the journals *Der Hautarzt* and *Archives of Dermatological Research*.