With its Humboldt research fellowships and awards, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation provides funding for research collaborations between German and international researchers. Fellowship holders and award winners look for project partners and hosts in Germany with whom they can collaborate in places they believe are the most suitable for implementing their projects. FAU welcomes a large number of excellent researchers as a host university every year.
In June 2023, Prof. Andreas Hirsch, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, and Prof. Dr. Bernhard Egger, Professorship of Cognitive Computer Vision, were also selected as scouts for the Henriette Herz Scouting Program. They can now recruit up to three early career researchers from abroad for their research group with a Humboldt Research Fellowship.
Award winners and research fellowship holders
Key research priorities of current Humboldt award winners and research fellowship holders at the Chairs at FAU.
Dr. Justine Fasquel: Chair of Representation Theory, August 2026
Dr. Justine Fasquel from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France, will be conducting research at FAU as a Humboldt fellow until December 2026 as well as during the two upcoming summer semesters. Her research focuses on vertex algebras, in particular so-called W-algebras, which are related to Lie theory and mathematical physics. She investigates the structure and representation theory of these algebras. Her research project is based at the Chair of Representation Theory directed by Prof. Dr. Thomas Creutzig.
Dr. Arim Song: Chair of Representation Theory, August 2026
Dr. Arim Song from Seoul National University, South Korea, is conducting research at FAU as a Humboldt fellow until April 2028. Her research focuses on mathematical physics from an algebraic perspective. She works primarily on vertex algebras, W-algebras, their dualities, and representation theory. A particular focus lies on W-algebras in the supersymmetric context and the question of what role supersymmetry plays in the theory. Her research project is based at the Chair of Representation Theory directed by Prof. Dr. Thomas Creutzig.
Dr. Volodymyr Kovalchuk: Chair of Representation Theory, August 2026
Dr. Volodymyr Kovalchuk from the University of Denver, USA, is conducting research at FAU as a Humboldt Research Fellow until June 2027. His research focuses on conformal field theory and affine Lie algebras. In particular, he is concerned with the structure and applications of W-infinity type W-algebras. His research project is based at the Chair of Representation Theory directed by Prof. Dr. Thomas Creutzig.
Dr. Boqun Liu: Chair of Medicinal Chemistry, August 2026
Dr. Boqun Liu from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, is conducting research as a Humboldt Research Fellow at FAU until 2028. She is working on the development of new low-molecular-weight compounds that could form the basis for future pain medications. The focus is on research into a G protein-coupled receptor that plays a key role in chronic pain. Her goal is to identify molecules that act selectively on this receptor, thereby reducing the risk of unwanted side effects. Her research at the interface of pharmacy, chemistry and biology takes place at the Chair of Medicinal Chemistry directed by Prof. Dr. Peter Gmeiner.
Prof Dr. Shangfeng Yang: Chair of Organic Chemistry II, July 2026
Prof. Dr. Shangfeng Yang from the University of Science and Technology of China is conducting research as part of a Humboldt Research Award under the direction of Prof. Dr. Andreas Hirsch at FAU. His work focuses on the development and study of novel nanocarbon materials as well as their potential applications in single-molecule magnetism and photoelectric energy conversion. In July and August 2026, Prof. Yang, who is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of nanocarbon research, in particular fullerenes, was a guest at the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy at FAU. A further stay is planned for March and April 2027.
Dr. Natalia Vassilyeva: Chair of Organic Chemistry II, June 2026
Dr. Natalia Vassilyeva earned her doctorate in nanotechnology from the University of Valencia and will conduct research at FAU under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Andreas Hirsch at the Chair of Organic Chemistry II until May 2028. Her project focuses on spatially resolved laser writing of 2D semiconductors using plasmonic nanostructures to achieve precise material structuring. A central goal of her work is the incorporation of organic linkers to improve control over electron transfer. This is intended to help deepen the understanding of light-induced charge transport mechanisms in these hybrid systems. Her research contributes to the development of advanced functional nanomaterials based on 2D semiconductors through precise functionalization.
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Javed Ali: Chair of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, May 2026
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Javed Ali is visiting FAU as part of his Bessel Research Award until July 2026 and again from April to June 2027. During his stays, he is dedicated to researching the physiology of the lacrimal pathways and the pathophysiology of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction, a condition that impairs the natural drainage of tear fluid. The focus of his research is the continuation of work he began during an earlier stay as a Senior Humboldt Fellow at FAU. The goal of his research is to better understand the underlying biological mechanisms and, based on this, to develop new approaches for diagnosis and therapy. The research project is being conducted at the Chair of Functional and Clinical Anatomy under the direction of Prof. Dr. Friedrich Paulsen.
Dr. Lina Hansson: Chair of Health Psychology, May 2026
Dr. Lina Hansson is conducting research at FAU as a Humboldt Fellow until April 2028. At the center of her research is the question of how infections and psychological stress affect human movement patterns and how such changes are perceived by other people. Previous studies have already shown that both external stressors and internal bodily processes can influence posture and gait. Her aim is therefore to investigate more precisely how different stressors alter the movements of the same individuals. In the long term, this is intended to lead to the development of new digital measurement methods that can improve research and medical care. The research project is being conducted at the Chair of Health Psychology under the direction of Prof. Dr. Nicolas Rohleder.
Prof Dr. Randall Quentin Snurr: Chair of Separation Science and Technology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, May 2026
With his Humboldt Research Award, Prof. Dr. Randall Quentin Snurr from Northwestern University, Illinois, will conduct research at FAU from May to September 2026. Prof. Dr. Snurr’s research focuses on energy and sustainability applications of nanoporous materials. The aim is to use molecular-level modeling and AI methods to understand and predict the properties of these materials. His research focuses in particular on adsorption hysteresis, in other words the delayed uptake and desorption of molecules in porous materials, which is central to aqueous adsorption applications. These include energy-efficient separations, carbon capture, and atmospheric water harvesting. The research project will be carried out at the Chair of Separation Science and Technology led by Prof. Dr. Matthias Thommes.
Dr. Rang Liu: Chair of Digital Communications
Dr. Rang Liu from the University of California, Irvine, will be completing a research fellowship at FAU until April 2028. During her stay, Dr. Liu will be working on the development of signal processing and optimization methods for integrated sensor and communication systems. She focuses in particular on optimization and signal processing for wireless communication systems of the next generation, while giving special consideration to integrated sensor and communication systems, massive MIMO systems and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces. The research project will be carried out at the Chair of Digital Communications led by Prof. Dr. Robert Schober.
