Lautenschläger Research PrizeChristine Selhuber-Unkel and Victoria Ingham Honoured as Innovative Researchers

27 June 2023

Christine Selhuber-Unkel, who has worked at Heidelberg University since 2020, is a member of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and founding director of the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM). She conducts research at the interface of materials science and biophysics on biohybrid life-inspired microsystems. With her research studies, Prof. Selhuber-Unkel pursues the aim of linking synthetic systems from molecular components with living cells. If the cells can be made to transfer their forces and motion to the artificial structures, “living materials” can emerge, which would be independent of external energy sources. The scientist’s vision is the development of self-regulating bio-tech hybrids, whose functionality extends far beyond the present, purely technical systems. Heidelberg University is „a great incubator“ for developing such ideas, the winner of the 2023 Lautenschläger Research Prize underlined.

The junior researcher prize went to Victoria Ingham, a young researcher who breaks new scientific ground in a dynamic field of research. In the Parasitology Unit of the Centre for Infectious Diseases of Heidelberg University Hospital, she studies how using insecticides for malaria control and a spreading resistance to such chemicals influences the Anopheles mosquito – the most common host of the malaria pathogen. In particular, she examines their influence on the ability to transfer the malaria parasite to human beings. Since 2021, Dr Ingham has headed the junior research group on translational malaria research at the Medical Faculty Heidelberg of Heidelberg University and at the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).

The two scientists reported on their research work during a conversation with moderator and journalist Markus Brock, accompanied by Prof. Dr Peer Fischer (Molecular Systems Engineering), Prof. Dr Michael Lanzer (Parasitology) and Prof. Dr Ulrich Schwarz (Theoretical Physics). In his welcome address to open the award ceremony, the Rector had previously spoken of innovative fields of research that are “developing at breathtaking speed at our university”. In addition to Prof. Selhuber-Unkel, neurobiologist Prof. Dr Hannah Monyer also emphasised the importance of conducting “high-risk” research with uncertain outcomes. The recipient of the 2020/2021 Lautenschläger Research Prize, she answered Markus Brock’s questions together with Junior Professor Dr Felix Joos, who had received the junior researcher prize for his work in the field of theoretical computer science.

Markus Lautenschläger underlined that, in promoting diversity and in being rooted in the region, the prizes are above all “future-oriented”. He said that establishing a junior researcher prize in 2018 to complement the research prize for established scientists, which was launched more than 20 years ago, was a sensible addition. “We depend on the next generation of scientists,“ the managing director of the Manfred Lautenschläger Foundation emphasised, whose short address concluded the festive ceremony in the Great Hall of the Old University.

Lautenschläger Research Prize

The Lautenschläger Research Prize is awarded every two years for special accomplishments in leading-edge research. The distinction is intended to honour scientists from Heidelberg University as well as other national and international researchers with special ties to Ruperto Carola through scientific cooperation. Entrepreneur Manfred Lautenschläger established the award in 2001 to foster outstanding researchers who are actively engaged in advancing the discovery process. An interdisciplinary board of internationally connected scientists selects the potential prize recipients, who can be nominated for the Lautenschläger Research Prize from any discipline.

Lautenschläger Junior Researcher Prize

The first junior researcher prize was awarded in 2018. Eligible for selection are habilitation candidates, junior research group leaders or junior professors who can show outstanding scientific achievement and particularly innovative research approaches. The prize money helps to promote these young researchers in their personal scientific development and to support their research activity.