Cornelia Yzer holds the position of Senator for Economics, Technology and Research in Berlin since September 2012. From 1997-2012 she has been Director General of the German Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies and Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education, Science, Research and Technology (1994-1997). She also served as Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Women and Youth from 1992-1994. Since 1978 she is a member of the CDU and the Young Union. 1990-1998 Member of the German Bundestag. 1992-1998 Member of the CDU Federal Executive Committee.
From 1981-1989 Ms. Yzer studied law and economics in Muenster and Bochum. 1985 she received her first and 1989 her second state examination. Between 1989-1992 she served as a senior employee at Bayer AG in Leverkusen. Since 1990 she is a self-employed lawyer.