Award ceremony Dissertationspreis Adlershof

Thursday, 20. March 2025 // 15.00 -

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, IGAFA e.V., WISTA Management GmbH

Rudower Chaussee 26, 12489 Berlin
Erwin Schrödinger-Zentrum

Three nominees. Three presentations.

Whoever gets to the heart of their topic best will win the Adlershof Dissertation Award worth 3,000 Euros. 

On Thursday, 20 March 2025 from 3 p.m., three young researchers will present the topic of their recently completed doctoral thesis live at the Erwin Schrödinger-Zentrum.

Programme:

Welcome

• Prof. Dr. Christoph Schneider, Vizepräsident für Forschung, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Panne, Sprecher IGAFA, Präsident Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung
• Roland Sillmann, Geschäftsführer WISTA Management GmbH 

Moderation

Cindy Böhme, WISTA Management GmbH

Short presentations by the nominees

Shaping the Right Electron Beam for Visualizing Atomic Motion

Dr. Beñat Alberdi Esuain – supervised by Prof. Dr. Thorsten Kamps, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH and Institute of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Due to their wavelength and the nature of their interaction with matter, MeV electrons offer great potential for visualizing atomic and molecular dynamics using compact electron accelerators. However, their application is hindered by challenges like electron-electron repulsion. Dr. Beῆat Alberdi Esuain addresses in his doctoral thesis some of these obstacles through innovative advancements in electron optics and beam dynamics, leveraging state-of-the-art accelerator tools and beam diagnostic techniques. The developments enable precise shaping of electron beams to observe the dynamics of atoms and molecules with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution, unlocking new opportunities for research in ultrafast science, particularly in quantum and energy materials.

Light as a “magic bullet”: New infrared switches for targeted, light-based medicine

Dr. Kristin Klaue – supervised by Prof. Stefan Hecht, Ph.D., Center for the Science of Materials Berlin and Institute of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Light opens up unique possibilities for the targeted, non-invasive control of biological processes and the treatment of diseases — a modern implementation of Paul Ehrlich's vision of the “magic bullet” that fights pathogens without harming the patient. As part of her doctoral thesis, Dr. Kristin Klaue developed photoswitchable molecules 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.

Towards commercialization: Ink development and scalable fabrication of perovskite solar

Dr. Jinzhao Li – supervised by Prof. Dr. Eva Unger, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH and Institute of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

In his doctoral thesis, Dr. Jinzhao Li shows the way for scalable production and commercialization of perovskite solar cells. By developing novel inks, his research enables the large-scale production of a new generation of solar cells - perovskite solar cells - using the slot-die coating method. To speed up the screening process for optimal cells he employed combinatorial methods.

The three nominees present the topic of their work in short, generally understandable presentations. The jury then evaluates the research and presentation achievements. Participants will receive a prize of €1,000 for their nomination and €3,000 for the best performance.

The event will take place at the Erwin Schrödinger-Zentrum (Rudower Chaussee 26, 12489 Berlin) and will be broadcast via livestream. Registration is not required.

The Adlershof Dissertation Award is jointly sponsored by the research network IGAFA e. V., Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and WISTA Management GmbH.

More information: www.adlershof.de/en/dissertation-award

About Dissertationspreis Adlershof

Since 2002, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the scientific network of the non-university research institutions located in the technology park Berlin Adlershof (IGAFA) and WISTA Management GmbH have jointly awarded the annual Dissertationspreis Adlershof, which is endowed with 3,000 Euros. The target group is young researchers who have completed their doctorate in Adlershof with at least a “very good” (magna cum laude). Three nominees compete against each other in a live competition. The winner is the one who presents his or her topic in the most engaging and understandable way.

University professors submit their proposals for the Dissertationspreis Adlershof to the Office of IGAFA e. V., Rudower Chaussee 17, 12489 Berlin, by November 1 each year. Only dissertations from the past 18 months will be considered.

Contact

Sanela Schlößer
IGAFA e. V.
+49 30 6392-3669
igafa(at)igafa.de

Petra Franz
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
+49 30 2093-20035
petra.franz(at)uv.hu-berlin.de

Cindy Böhme
WISTA Management GmbH
+49 30 6392-2191
cindy.boehme(at)wista.de