- Three female scientists receive high honours
The Baden-Württemberg State Research Prize goes to Christiane Werner of the University of Freiburg and Lena Maier-Hein from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). The prize for courageous science goes to Kira Rehfeld from the Geo- and Environmental Research Center of the University of Tübingen, as announced by Science Minister Petra Olschowski (Greens) in Stuttgart.
All three have made groundbreaking discoveries with high relevance for medical research and direct clinical applications, as well as for improving the resilience of ecosystems and for climate research.
Werner is one of the most innovative scientists in her field, the ministry said. She works at the Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Freiburg. "Her research has significantly expanded our understanding of plant stress physiology, enabling strategies to enhance the resilience of ecosystems against increasingly extreme conditions."
Maier-Hein from DKFZ Heidelberg, Department of Intelligent Medical Systems, has not only made remarkable progress at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and surgical imaging, but has also opened up entirely new research fields with high relevance for medical research and direct clinical application. She works in the field of data science in surgical imaging, particularly in the development of new AI-based methods.
Rehfeld from the University of Tübingen bridges the traditionally separate research areas of experimental paleoclimate reconstruction and numerical climate simulation, the ministry said. Paleoclimate research is typically based in geosciences, while climate modeling is primarily pursued by physicists and meteorologists. "She takes creative approaches to develop scientifically grounded solutions for climate protection."
The State Research Prize is endowed with 100,000 euros each. The prize for courageous science is endowed with 30,000 euros. The awards will be presented on October 22 in Stuttgart.
The Commission recognized Werner's work at the Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences in Freiburg, commending her contributions to plant stress physiology and enhancing ecosystem resilience. The Commission also acknowledged Rehfeld's efforts in bridging the gap between experimental paleoclimate reconstruction and numerical climate simulation, promoting scientifically grounded solutions for climate protection.
