Prof. Elie El Agha, Principal Investigator of the DZL, was awarded the Justus Liebig University Giessen Prize for his outstanding publication "Two-Way Conversion between Lipogenic and Myogenic Fibroblastic Phenotypes Marks the Progression and Resolution of Lung Fibrosis" and his other scientific achievements. He shares the €5,000 prize with Jun. Prof. Dr. Sven Heiles. Heiles was honored for his outstanding publication "Lipid structures and spatial distributions elucidated by high-performance mass spectrometry" and his scientific achievements.
Speech by Prof. Dr. Gerald Haug
The award ceremony occurred during the Academic Ceremony at the University of Giessen. This year the event with prizes and awards for excellent young scientists could again take place in presence in the Aula. The guests, who wanted to hear the ceremonial address by Prof. Dr. Gerald Haug, President of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, live on-site and not via the Livestream, which was also offered, had only wrapped up a little warmer because of the current energy-saving measures. "The science system at the turn of the times" was the title of his lecture.
Successful year at JLU
The welcoming speech by JLU President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee was also marked by the turn of the times. "The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destroyed certainties that we thought were safe, but it has also accelerated developments that would have come our way anyway, such as in the 'energy turnaround' and the transformation of our society toward a sustainable economy," he said, warning in this context that education and science are especially important now. "In this context, it is important to repeatedly emphasize that this transformation can only succeed if we rely on scientific knowledge, technological innovations, and a correspondingly excellent education system and outstanding research and teaching."
He recalled that this crisis year had also been successful for JLU in terms of research and teaching. He highlighted some significant awards, collaborative projects, new buildings, and connections with other partners as examples. "So you can see: the university has succeeded in achieving great research successes even in an annus horribilis like 2022, shaping studies and teaching well, and making contributions to social development. All these are the achievements of the more than 32,000 members and affiliates of this university, whom I would like to thank most sincerely for their commitment, hard work, and drive," said Prof. Mukherjee. The JLU University Orchestra musically framed the ceremony.
Source: JLU
