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The Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) at the University of Luxembourg is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Reinhard Schneider, Head of the Bioinformatics Core and Professor of Bioinformatics.

With Reinhard Schneider, we, and the global research community, have lost not only an influential scientist and pioneer of bioinformatics, but also a valued colleague, mentor, and friend whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the University of Luxembourg, the international scientific community, and the field of computational biology.

Since joining the LCSB in its early years, Reinhard played a crucial role in shaping the Centre’s bioinformatics and data science capabilities. His vision and expertise were instrumental in establishing the bioinformatics infrastructure that underpins much of the Centre’s research today and shaped the careers of many students and researchers. He also made significant contributions to the development of high-performance computing at the University of Luxembourg and was a driving force behind numerous strategic initiatives, including the ELIXIR Luxembourg Node, the National Centre of Excellence in Research on Parkinson’s Disease (NCER-PD), and the Luxembourg National Data Service (LNDS).

Throughout his career, Reinhard was a passionate advocate for the integration of biology and computing. He earned his PhD in the group of Chris Sanders, a pioneer in modern bioinformatics, at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, where he helped advance the emerging field of computational biology and bioinformatics. As co-founder of LION bioscience AG, he contributed to the development of some of the earliest large-scale bioinformatics solutions for life science research, helping to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and technological innovation.

Before joining the University of Luxembourg, Reinhard led the Data Integration and Knowledge Management group at EMBL, where he worked at the forefront of managing and analyzing biological knowledge at a scale that was unprecedented at the time. His research and leadership influenced generations of scientists and contributed significantly to the growth of bioinformatics as a discipline.

At the University of Luxembourg, Reinhard was equally dedicated to education. He taught and coordinated courses in bioinformatics and computational biology, inspiring students with his enthusiasm, knowledge, and ability to connect complex scientific concepts to real-world challenges. Many students, doctoral researchers, and young scientists benefited from his mentorship and guidance throughout their careers.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Reinhard was deeply committed to service. He contributed to countless national and international scientific committees, advisory boards, and review panels. Within the International Society for Computational Biology, he held several leadership roles, including Treasurer and Chair of the Governance, Fundraising and Finance Committee, helping to guide one of the world’s leading professional organizations in the field.

Reinhard’s impact extended far beyond publications, projects, and institutions. He was widely respected for his generosity, intellectual curiosity, sense of humor, and willingness to support colleagues at every stage of their careers. His combination of scientific excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to collaboration made him a unique and influential figure in the international bioinformatics community.

As we mourn his loss, we also appreciate a remarkable life dedicated to science, innovation, education, and community. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, former students, and collaborators around the world.

Reinhard Schneider’s legacy will continue through the many people he inspired and the scientific foundations he helped build. Now it is our turn to say, “Ciao, Reinhard”.

The ELIXIR Luxembourg team are committed to maintaining our services and interactions during this transitional period. Please use our contact address if you have any questions or concerns; updates will be posted to the website in due course.