The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize awarded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) is the most important research award in Germany. The Leibniz Program, which was established in 1985, aims to improve the working conditions of outstanding researchers, expand their research opportunities, relieve them of administrative tasks, and help them employ particularly qualified early career researchers. The prize is worth up to 2.5 million euros.
More information on the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize is available on the DFG website.
Leibniz prizewinners from FAU
An overview of all Leibniz prizewinners connected to FAU.
Der gegen Entzündungen kämpft: Georg Schett (2022)
Prof. Dr. Georg Schett ist einer der international führenden Wissenschaftler im Bereich der Entzündungs- und Immunmedizin mit bahnbrechenden Erkenntnissen, wenn es um die Regulation von Entzündung und das Zusammenspiel zwischen Entzündung und Autoimmunität geht. Sein zentrales Thema: zu verstehen, wie sich Autoimmunerkrankungen bilden und warum sie chronisch werden. In seiner Forschung orientiert er sich stets an Patientinnen und Patienten: Ausgehend von klinischen Beobachtungen führt er Grundlagenstudien durch. Dank dieser sogenannten reversen Translation ist es ihm beispielsweise gelungen, die weltweit erste Therapie einer Autoimmunerkrankung, nämlich gegen Systemischer Lupus erythematodes (SLE), mit körpereigenen gen-modifizierten Immunzellen durchzuführen.
Pressemitteilung zur Preisvergabe an Prof. Dr. Georg Schett
The man who controls electrons: Peter Hommelhoff (2021)
Prof. Peter Hommelhoffs ground-breaking experiments have resulted in several breakthroughs in the field of ultrafast electron control. As a postdoctoral researcher in Stanford, he developed an electron source capable of emitting electrons at the femtosecond timescale. He also demonstrated strong field physics for the first time on solid state surfaces. However, Peter Hommelhoff has not only significantly influenced the area of light field electronics during the last ten years. Based on his excellent work on electron sources, he has opened up a whole new field of research, namely into laser acceleration of electrons on photonic structures.
More information is available in the press release about Peter Homelhoffs grant.
Between materials and manufacturing: Marion Merklein (2013)
In only 14 years, Marion Merklein had a remarkable career from enrolling as a student to becoming the first female professor in mechanical engineering at FAU. Her research into materials characterisation and forming has made a great contribution to the field. The main focus of her work has been the development of robust and flexible manufacturing processes due to the combination of sheet metal forming with processes used in bulk metal forming.
Pressemitteilung zur Preisvergabe an Prof. Dr. Marion Merklein
Liquid salts: Peter Wasserscheid (2006)
One of the main foci of Peter Wasserscheid’s research is ionic liquids. These substances are salts that are liquid at room temperature and can thus be used as solvents for chemical and biochemical conversion processes. Ionic liquids do not evaporate even at higher temperatures and at reduced pressure. This means it is no longer necessary to install complex equipment for manufacturing processes to observe limits for volatile organic compounds.
Pressemitteilung zur Preisvergabe an Prof. Dr. Peter Wasserscheid
From submicron to nano: Wolfgang Peukert (2005)
Wolfgang Peukert specialises in particle technology and interface physics. He has been very successful in his work on the interface between fundamental research and applications, which include investigations of the physical and chemical origins of interactions between particles. His research into the behaviour of particles in the submicron and nanometre range has led to the clarification of scientific relationships and has formed the basis for manufacturing specific product characteristics for applications.
Pressemitteilung zur Preisvergabe an Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Peukert
An authority on ceramics: Peter Greil (2000)
Peter Greil’s work focuses on manufacturing ceramics and ceramic composites. He uses a synthesis method to manufacture these materials that enables polymers and metals and their oxides to be joined to form composites. He often draws inspiration from nature and its construction methods for new ‘biomimetic’ materials. In addition, he conducts research into coatings that provide protection against corrosion.
Pressemitteilung zur Preisvergabe auf idw-online.de
Amadeus’ mother: Gisela Anton (1994)
Gisela Anton pursued a career in science after winning the German prize ‘Jugend forscht’ for young scientists in 1975. She designed the ‘Amadeus’ detector for the ELSA particle accelerator. At FAU, she has worked on the ANTARES neutrino detector, a telescope that is submerged at a depth of 2500 metres in the Mediterranean Sea, and is Founding Director of the Erlangen Centre for Astroparticle Physics (ECAP). She also conducts research in the field of medical engineering and medical physics and is committed to supporting young researchers.
Artikel auf zeit.de zur Preisverleihung
Transatlantische Netzwerkerin: Heike Paul (2018): Heike Paul ()
Mit Arbeiten zur amerikanischen Literatur, Kulturtheorie und Populärkultur hat sich Heike Paul national und international einen Namen gemacht. Als eine der renommiertesten Vertreterinnen der Amerikanistik in Deutschland ist sie eine Autorität auf dem Gebiet der amerikanischen Mythen, die sie auf innovative Weise in unterschiedlichen gesellschaftlichen Funktionsbereichen (Kunst, Politik, Religion) aufspürt und analysiert. Darüber hinaus hat sich Heike Paul dem Wissenstransfer zwischen Hochschule und Öffentlichkeit, insbesondere an Museen, Schulen oder Kultureinrichtungen verschrieben und fungiert als Mentorin für den wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs.
Pressemitteilung zur Preisvergabe an Prof. Dr. Heike Paul