On 20 March 2025, the Dissertationspreis Adlershof was awarded for the 23rd time in a row. Dr Kristin Klaue received the 3,000 euro prize, which is jointly donated and organised each year by the IGAFA e. V. research network, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and WISTA Management GmbH. As part of her doctorate at the Department of Chemistry at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Centre for the Science of Materials Berlin at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, she developed infrared switches that are designed to enable the gentlest possible medical applications.
Light opens up unique possibilities for the targeted, non-invasive control of biological processes and the treatment of diseases - a modern realisation of Paul Ehrlich's vision of the "magic bullet", which fights pathogens without harming the patient. As part of her doctoral thesis, Dr Kristin Klaue developed photoresponsive molecular units that are activated by harmless infrared light to precisely release active ingredients and substances. This technology lays the foundation for novel phototherapeutics and innovative biomedical applications such as 3D printing directly in human tissue.
In addition to Dr Kristin Klaue, two other outstanding researchers presented their research in the final round: Dr Beñat Alberdi Esuain was able to make innovative advances in electron optics and beam dynamics with his doctoral thesis at the Department of Physics at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, opening up new possibilities for research in the field of quantum and energy materials. Dr Jinzhao Li received his doctorate from the Department of Chemistry at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. As part of his doctoral thesis, he developed novel inks that will enable the mass production of a new generation of solar cells. Both scientists received prize money of 1,000 euros for their nomination.
About the prize
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, WISTA Management GmbH and IGAFA have been awarding the Adlershof Doctoral Thesis Prize every year since 2002, which honours young researchers for outstanding scientific achievements in the context of a doctoral thesis completed at Adlershof. Doctoral theses that have been completed in the past 18 months with a grade of at least "very good" (magna cum laude) are considered. Three nominees will present the topic of their dissertation in short, generally understandable presentations, which will then be assessed and honoured according to research and presentation achievements.
Further information
Press release from Adlershof Online
Please contact
Sanela Schlößer
IGAFA e. V.
Phone: +49 30 6392-3669
igafa@igafa.de
Petra Franz
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Phone: +49 30 2093-20035
petra.franz@uv.hu-berlin.de
Cindy Böhme
WISTA Management GmbH
Phone: +49 30 6392-2191
cindy.boehme@wista.de