News

In conversation with Ana Anselmo and Silvia Zerbe
As diversity officers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, they shape diversity:
When 1,400 employees from 70 nations come together at a globally operating research institution like Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), diversity may seem like a given. And yet, considerable…

Dr Kristin Klaue receives 2024 Adlershof Dissertation Award
The chemist lays the foundation for targeted, light-based medicine with photoswitchable molecules:
On 20 March 2025, the Adlershof Dissertation Award was granted for the 23rd time in a row. Dr Kristin Klaue received the 3,000 euro prize, which is donated and organised annually by the research network IGAFA e. V.,…

In conversation with Melissa Horchemer
The WISTA project manager wants to show young people career and academic opportunities in the natural sciences:
Coming from a non-academic family living in a socially disadvantaged area of Duisburg, Melissa Horchemer was far from predestined for a career in the STEM sector. Yet, this background didn’t hold her back—it inspired…

Complex research explained understandable
Dr. Lisa-Marie Kern receives the Klaus Tschira Foundation’s KlarText Award for Science Communication:
Dr. Lisa-Marie Kern (29), currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy, was awarded the Klaus Tschira Foundation’s KlarText Award for Science…

European Research Council funds BAM scientist Janine George
Prof. George receives research funding of 1.5 million euros for her “Multibondes” project:
Janine George from the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) has been awarded a Starting Grant of around 1.5 million euros by the European Research Council (ERC). The prestigious grant will support…

In conversation with Patricia Löwe
Executive Assistant to Corporate Communication at Forschungsverbund Berlin:
Forschungsverbunds Berlin e. V. (FVB), an association of non-university research institutes in Berlin, recently put out the following statement: “In these turbulent times—faced with ongoing crises and attacks on our…

Nathalie Picqué receives the 2024 William F. Meggers Award
The MBI Director and Professor of Physics at HU Berlin was honored for her path-breaking work on broadband molecular spectroscopy using interfering frequency combs:
The Meggers Award of OPTICA (formerly the Optical Society) was established in 1970 to honour the memory of William F. Meggers, an American physicist specialising in spectroscopy. It is awarded annually in recognition…

In conversation with Daniela Theile
The user coordination officer at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin works as a volunteer swimming coach:
Around 31 million Germans give back to society through volunteer work. Helmholtz employee and swimming coach Daniela Theile is one of them. She waxes lyrically: “How many people have the key to a public swimming…

Prof. Clara Saraceno is honored with the International Fellowship Award 2024
The IKZ researcher receives the award for achievements in the field of oxide and fluoride dielectrics and laser crystals:
Oxide and fluoride crystals are pivotal in many different areas of photonics. They are well-suited host materials for laser-active ions, can serve in optical Faraday insulators and also for non-linear frequency…

SKM Dissertation Prize 2024 of the DPG for Lisa-Marie Kern
The physicist has been awarded the Dissertation Prize of the Condensed Matter Section of the German Physical Society:
In recognition of her outstanding scientific work and its excellent presentation, Dr. Lisa-Marie Kern has been awarded the Dissertation Prize of the Condensed Matter Section (SKM) of the German Physical Society…

In conversation with Beate Schultz-Zehden
As vice-rector at the bbw University of Applied Sciences, she is responsible for making teaching future-proof:
“This is exactly where we belong,” is what the management of bbw Hochschule - University of Applied Sciences exclaimed when it moved the Adlershof Technology Park in April 2023. Since then, the roughly 1,200 students…

In conversation with Dr Kathrin Buchholz
The environmental engineer is head of public relations at the Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory:
“Communication with a focus on science” is the metier of environmental engineer Kathrin Buchholz. She has worked for the scientific office of the Adlershof-based research network IGAFA, headed the business office of…

In conversation with Virág Major-Kremer
The cultural manager looks after four bee colonies at the Zentrum für Mikrosysteme und Materialien (ZMM):
Four honeybee colonies live on top of four bright yellow high seats in the garden of the Zentrum für Mikrosysteme und Materialien (ZMM). Put there as part of the art project “smart systems” in 2013, they are a perfect…

HZB researchers receive ERC Advanced Grant
European Research Council funds he work of quantum physicist Jens Eisert and materials scientist Catherine Dubourdieu:
Prof. Dr. Jens Eisert receives the ERC Advanced Grant of 1,8 million euros over five years for his project DebuQC. The quantum physicist conducts research at the Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems at Freie…

Kathrin Goldammer honoured as one of 15 Electric Women
RLI Managing Director is one of the world's most remarkable women working to electrify mobility:
For the fourth time, the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) acknowledges the world’s most remarkable women in mobility with a dedicated publication, this year honoring them as Electric Women. The 2022…

In conversation with Michaela Weiske
The HR administrator at Reiner Lemoine Institute ensures a good work climate:
To Michaela Weiske, taking care of employees is the recipe for a well-functioning company. She is an HR administrator at Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI), which conducts research on the transformation of energy systems…

Young Scientist 2022 – Lia Beraldo da Silveira Balestrin
The Brazilian researcher received the award announced by LUM GmbH for her work on asphaltene deposition in crude oil:
From January 24th to 25th, 2022, LUM GmbH hosted the 10th International Conference for Dispersion Analysis and Materials Testing. 90 participants from 24 countries around the world took part. Five candidates from…

In conversation with Franziska Hagos
She is a true Polyanna and head of the Humboldt Explorer project:
When asked about role models guiding her career path, Franziska Hagos has to think long and hard. One thing she couldn’t resort to was the experience of growing up in a household of academics. Finally, she remembers…

In conversation with Manuela Peters
She has been the manager of the “Melli-Beese-Haus” nursing school for six years:
“Diverse, sustainable, and rewarding” is what Manuela Peters thinks about her work with our youngest. She has been a childcare worker since 1984 and the head of “Melli-Beese-Haus” for six years. Located right next to…

Two Winners of the Falling Walls Lab Adlershof 2020
Dr. Chayanika Das (BAM) and Svea Stephan (KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte) won the Adlershof competition:
Dr. Chayanika Das, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) with Breaking the Wall of MAGNESIUM CORROSION and Svea Stephan, KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH, with Breaking the Wall of EXPLOITING…