Goethe-Universität — Press releases

Nov 14 2025

14:16

This year’s “Scientist of the Year” award goes to medical professionals Maria Vehreschild and Thomas Oellerich, while the “New Horizon – President's Prize" is awarded to the startup Modulux 3D

Shaping Transformations: Goethe University Honors Researchers

Every two years, Goethe University presents the “Scientist of the Year" award to researchers from the university. Annually, the President of Goethe University bestows the New Horizon Prize. The awards honor outstanding research and teaching achievements.

FRANKFURT. “Nothing is as constant as change," University President Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff emphasized in his welcome address at the festive award ceremony, referencing this famous quote by Heraclitus to make the point that changes also require creative design. “Today, we honor researchers who shape change – through knowledge, commitment, and a spirit of discovery, not just for themselves, but also for future generations, future leaders, and ultimately for society as a whole." Schleiff expressed his gratitude to Gunther Ruppel, Chairman of the Board of the Alfons and Gertrud Kassel Foundation, Dr. Christian Zschocke, the initiator of the New Horizon Award, as well as the two laudators, Prof. Dr. Maike Windbergs Prof. Dr. Hubert Serve.

The 2025 “Scientist of the Year Award" from the Alfons and Gertrud Kassel Foundation was presented to two physicians. The first was Prof. Dr. Maria Vehreschild, “for her outstanding research in the field of infectiology and microbiome research, as well as her exceptional commitment to students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers," as stated in the award's reasoning. The other award went to Prof. Dr. Thomas Oellerich, “for his groundbreaking research in the field of leukemia and lymphomas and his remarkable dedication to students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers." The recognition of the two awardees was delivered by Prof. Dr. Hubert Serve, Director of Medical Clinic 2 at University Hospital Frankfurt. Serve highlighted Thomas Oellerich's thirst for knowledge and drive for action, saying that his papers, published in top-tier journals, carried a distinctive manuscript style. Maria Vehreschild, he noted, is shaping the field of infectiology in Germany; she was among the first in her field to address post-COVID conditions. Concluding his remarks, Serve expressed his pride and gratitude that both researchers are part of Medical Clinic 2.

The “Scientist of the Year Award" is presented every two years by Goethe University Frankfurt in collaboration with the Kassel Foundation to honor an outstanding researcher at Goethe University who serves as a role model. The award includes a prize of €25,000. Recipients of the “Scientist of the Year" award are professors at Goethe University who have demonstrated exceptional research achievements and have made significant contributions to supporting early-career researchers. Previous awardees include physicist Prof. Dr. Hannah Elfner, microbiologist Prof. Dr. Inga Hänelt, and atmospheric researcher Prof. Dr. Joachim Curtius.

This year's recipient of the “New Horizon President's Prize" is a team: Frankfurt-based Modulux 3D is composed of scientists, biotechnologists, optics specialists, and business developers. The team, consisting of Dr. Francesco Pampaloni, Louise Breideband, Levin Hafa and Zeeshan Mahmood, is working on an alternative to animal testing and has developed an innovative solution with the 3D bioprinter LUMINATE. Using patented technology that operates with colliding laser beams, it enables the creation of complex tissue and organ models. LUMINATE offers a promising option for pharmaceutical research seeking to reduce animal testing. Modulux 3D is supported by the Main/Rhein startup network (Unibator at Goethe University, HIGHEST at TU Darmstadt, as well as FUTURY the Future Factory). This year's award presenter was Prof. Dr. Maike Windbergs, Managing Director of the Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology, who pointed out that Modulux 3D had courageously applied the pioneering work in Physical Biology developed by Prof. Dr. Ernst Stelzer at Goethe University. The team has also gained international partners and secured capital for their promising alternative to animal testing, Windbergs highlighted in her commendation.

With the €5,000 “New Horizon President's Prize," the President of Goethe University honors an individual or team at the university who, through their academic work or other forms of commitment to Goethe University, explores new ways of thinking while demonstrating curiosity, optimism, courage, and openness. The New Horizon Prize was awarded to business education expert Dr. Christin Siegfried in 2022, inclusion researcher Lukas Gerhard in 2023, and the Science Garden team in 2024. The New Horizon initiative was launched in 2016 by attorney Dr. Christian Zschocke to foster individuals with initiative and optimism. This year, the prize money was doubled thanks to the startup support fund Futury Capital.

About the Alfons and Gertrud Kassel Foundation: Established in 2007, the foundation aims to promote science, research, and teaching at Goethe University. It is funded by the endowment left by its founder, Gertrud Kassel. Through this endowment, the foundation supports numerous university projects.

Images for download
Scientist of the Year: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/180376367
New Horizon: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/180376433

Captions:
Scientist of the Year: Prof. Dr. Maria Vehreschild and Prof. Dr. Thomas Oellerich
New Horizon: Team Modulux 3D (from left to right): Levin Hafa, Dr. Francesco Pampaloni and Louise Breideband

Photos: Uwe Dettmar/Goethe University Frankfurt

Nov 14 2025

09:46

Global study’s ranking includes the one percent of scientists cited most frequently in scientific journals

Seven Goethe University researchers among the most cited scientists in the world

Seven of the 6,900 most cited scientists in the world conduct research at Goethe University Frankfurt. That is the result of the current citation ranking of the “Web of Science”, published by Clarivate Analytics. Each year, the ranking evaluates journal articles mainly from the natural sciences, engineering and medicine.

FRANKFURT. In most cases, it is fundamental scientific findings that result in a paper being cited frequently by other scientists. That is why citation frequency serves as an indicator of the published articles' scientific significance as well as the authors' visibility in the scientific community.

Once a year, information and technology company Clarivate Analytics evaluates its “Web of Science” citation database and publishes the “Highly Cited Researchers” ranking. The current ranking includes around 6,868 scientists, in no particular order, who belonged to the one percent of authors whose scientific articles in the natural and engineering sciences, medicine, and the categories ”Economics and Business” and “Social Sciences” were cited most frequently between 2014 and 2024, either within their own category or in different subjects (“cross-field”).

The ranking only takes into account journal articles and not book contributions. Further, articles with more than 30 authors or so-called group authorships in large international research consortia are also not included in the study.

Here are the “highly cited” Goethe University researchers of 2025:

Professor Florian Büttner
DKTK-Professor for “Bioinformatics in Oncology” at Goethe University / German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) / German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
https://mlo-lab.github.io/
in the “cross-field” category

Professor Ivan Đikić
Director of Goethe University's Institute for Biochemistry II (Molecular Cell Biochemistry)
https://biochem2.com/management
in the “Biology and Biochemistry” and “Molecular Biology and Genetics” categories

Professor Florian Greten
Director of Georg Speyer Haus – Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy / Professor of Tumor Biology at Goethe University / Spokesperson of the LOEWE Center Frankfurt Cancer Institute
https://georg-speyer-haus.de/
https://fci.health/
in the “cross field” category

Professor Gerhard Hummer
Director of tthe Max Planck Institute of Biophysics / Professor at Goethe University’s Institute of Biophysics
https://www.biophys.mpg.de/theoretical-biophysics
in the “cross field” category

Professor Sibylle Loibl
Goethe University’s Faculty of Medicine / German Breast Group Forschungs GmbH, Neu-Isenburg
http://www.onkologie-bethanien.de/unser-centrum/aerzteteam/prof-dr-med-sibylle-loibl.php
in the “clinical medicine” category

Professor Stefan Offermanns
Director at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim / Professor of Pharmacology at the Center for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt
https://www.mpg.de/457037/herz-lungenforschung-offermanns
in the “cross field” category

Professor Klement Tockner
Director General of the Senckenberg Society / Professor for Ecosystem Research at Goethe University Frankfurt
https://www.senckenberg.de/en/about-us/organisation/director-general/
in the „cross field“ category

Picture download:
https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/180364698

Captions:
Professor Florian Büttner, Photo: private
Professor Ivan Đikić, Photo: Uwe Dettmar for Goethe University
Professor Florian Greten, Photo: Uwe Dettmar for Goethe University
Professor Gerhard Hummer, Photo Shau Chun Shin for Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Professor Sibylle Loibl, Photo: Joppen for GBG Forschungs GmbH
Professor Stefan Offermanns, Photo: private
Professor Klement Tockner, Photo: Sven Tränkner for Senckenberg

Further Information:
https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers/

Nov 12 2025

15:15

A clear vision for a globally leading hub of cutting-edge research

Excellence Strategy: Rhine-Main Universities submit joint proposal as a University Excellence Consortium

As part of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments, the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) – consisting of Goethe University Frankfurt, Technical University of Darmstadt, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz – submitted a joint proposal today to be recognized as a University Excellence Consortium under the Universities of Excellence funding line. The proposal, titled “RMU-EXCITE – Excellent. Collaborative. Transformative.", highlights the shared goal of transforming the Rhine-Main Universities alliance into an internationally leading center for cutting-edge research that provides groundbreaking solutions to complex scientific and societal challenges. At the same time, the alliance is committed to fostering a research culture that strengthens the connection between science and society, emphasizing dialogue, participation, and the collaborative creation of knowledge as integral components of scientific excellence.

This proposal was made possible by the significant success of the three universities in the Clusters of Excellence funding line – in May, five RMU cluster initiatives were approved for funding starting in 2026.

Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff, current RMU spokesperson, states: “We as the RMU have steadily deepened our cooperation over the past decade – and in the last three years, we have worked intensively toward this milestone. My colleagues Tanja Brühl, Georg Krausch, and I sincerely thank the many RMU members who helped shape the proposal, contributing their innovative ideas and expertise with unwavering enthusiasm. This was true teamwork – across departments, campuses, and universities. Together, we have accomplished a great deal over these three years, and this proposal is just one of the results."

Schleiff, Brühl and Krausch are proud of the result and firmly convinced that RMU-EXCITE represents a forward-thinking strategy that builds on RMU's diverse successes across all performance dimensions and further unlocks the partnership's potential.

“'RMU-EXCITE – Excellent. Collaborative. Transformative.' is more than the title of our excellence alliance proposal – it embodies the very spirit of RMU. Through excellence in research, teaching, and societal engagement – and through collaboration among our researchers, institutions, industry partners, and international networks – we drive the sustainable and digital transformation of society and the economy. We are inspired by new members joining the RMU, exploring emerging research fields together, and fostering the next generation of academic leaders – empowering them to shape a sustainable and humane future with innovation and purpose," Schleiff added.

In its proposal as a University Excellence Consortium, the RMU is strongly supported as a cross-state alliance by its home states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Clemens Hoch, Minister of Science for Rhineland-Palatinate: “The submission of the Rhine-Main Universities' proposal today sends a strong signal for scientific excellence and collaboration at the heart of Germany. Rhineland-Palatinate stands firmly alongside Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and its partner universities in Frankfurt and Darmstadt. With the administrative agreement concluded between Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, we have established a reliable foundation to sustainably support this cross-state cooperation. Together, we aim to further strengthen top-level research – research that sets international standards and provides answers to the central challenges of our time."

Hesse's Minister of Science Timon Gremmels: “For the first time in history, universities in Hesse are competing for the prestigious title of University of Excellence and the accompanying funding. Strong alliances are entering the competition with equally strong proposals. I sincerely thank everyone involved – especially the leadership teams of the applicant universities. Over the past months, they have prepared their proposals with exceptional dedication and commitment. Collaboration within these alliances has long been a hallmark of their success. I therefore warmly welcome this proposal process, as cooperation allows individual strengths to be combined and synergies created that reach far beyond each university. We support and accompany both proposals with great determination and hope that, following our success in the Excellence Cluster competition, we will once again achieve strong results in the Universities of Excellence funding line."

The applicant universities or consortia will be evaluated in the next phase through on-site visits conducted by international review panels between April and June 2026. In October 2026, the Excellence Commission, consisting of experts from all research fields as well as federal and state ministers responsible for science and research, will decide on the funding of the Excellence Universities or Excellence Consortia. Up to fifteen Excellence Universities or Excellence Consortia can be funded for the period from 2027 to 2033.

The Excellence Strategy: Financial Support and International Visibility

The Excellence Strategy aims to sustainably strengthen Germany as a hub for science and enhance its international competitiveness. It is jointly implemented by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat) through two funding lines: the Cluster of Excellence funding line, which supports internationally competitive research fields at universities or university alliances, and the Universities of Excellence funding line, which aims to permanently strengthen universities either as individual institutions or as university consortia, enhancing their international leadership in research based on successful Clusters of Excellence. Individual universities must have at least two Clusters of Excellence, while consortia must have a minimum of three.

Success in the Excellence competition is significant for universities not only because of the financial support provided by federal and state funds. It also boosts national and international visibility, since the program is globally regarded as an elite funding initiative. Clusters of Excellence can address interdisciplinary research fields with a long-term perspective, advance research and infrastructure in collaboration with non-university partners and increase the university's appeal as a place for research and study. As an alliance, the Rhine-Main Universities aim to strengthen their attractiveness through diverse joint and complementary offerings in research and teaching, better support for scientists and staff, and leveraging synergies in infrastructure and knowledge transfer. In doing so, they also seek to contribute to positioning the region as an internationally visible science hub. A successful proposal as a consortium in the Universities of Excellence competition would reinforce this positioning, particularly in the international context.

About the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU)

Goethe University Frankfurt (President: Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (President: Prof. Dr. Georg Krausch) and Technical University of Darmstadt (President: Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl) make up the RHINE-MAINUNIVERSITIES (RMU). The universities have a combined total of more than 95,000 students and 1,500 professors and cooperate closely in research, studying and teaching. These renowned research universities are shaping the Frankfurt-Rhine-Main region as an internationally visible academic hub.
Further information: https://www.rhein-main-universitaeten.de/en

Nov 12 2025

09:56

German Research Foundation (DFG) Extends Priority Program ViCom with Goethe University Spokespersonship

Research on Visual Communication Continues

Gestures, facial expressions, pictograms – visually perceivable forms of communication are at the heart of the DFG Priority Program “Visual Communication: Theoretical, Empirical, and Applied Perspectives" (ViCom), jointly coordinated by Goethe University and the University of Göttingen. Following a successful initial phase, the research network will now receive funding for an additional three years.

FRANKFURT. The German Research Association (DFG) is supporting Priority Program 2392, titled “Visual Communication: Theoretical, Empirical, and Applied Perspectives" (ViCom), for another three years. The goal of the second funding phase is to further explore and theoretically model the unique structures and functions of visual forms of expression such as gestures, signs, and emojis.

Since its launch in 2022, ViCom has significantly shaped the research field of visual communication both nationally and internationally. During the first phase, 19 subprojects made important contributions to understanding how people create and interpret meaning through visible signs and movements, whether in sign languages, gestures, or digital communication using emojis. The interdisciplinary program has led to numerous publications, international conferences, and collaborative research projects.

As the second funding phase begins, the focus is on developing theories and systematizing the findings from the first phase. Using the extensive empirical data collected, researchers aim to advance new linguistic and cognitive models to describe visual communication in all its dimensions – from the grammar of sign languages to the role of gestures in conversation and digital forms of expression. Special attention is being given to supporting early-career researchers and fostering international collaboration.

“Visual communication is a cornerstone of human understanding, connecting language, body, and thought," says Prof. Cornelia Ebert from Goethe University, who coordinates the priority program together with Prof. Markus Steinbach (University of Göttingen). “The second funding phase gives us the opportunity to further solidify the theoretical fundamentals of this comparatively young research field and expand scientific exchange on an international level." Prof. Steinbach emphasizes: “During the first phase, a vibrant research community emerged, closely linking linguistics, psychology, neurosciences, and computer science. We now aim to deepen this interdisciplinary collaboration through new projects, programs for junior scholars, and international summer schools."

In addition to its scientific goals, ViCom is committed to fostering an open and inclusive research structure. Programs for the advancement of junior scholars, equal opportunities advancement, and accessibility were already established during the first phase, including mentoring opportunities, family-friendly working conditions, and sign language interpretation at events. In the second phase, the focus will shift more toward practical measures to support junior scholars, while continuing and expanding successful equal opportunities and accessibility initiatives.

The priority program's second funding phase will run until October 2028. ViCom includes a total of 17 subprojects located at various universities and research institutions across Germany. The German Research Foundation is supporting the second phase with €6 million, the same amount as in the first funding phase.

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Ebert has been conducting research and teaching at Goethe University Frankfurt since 2019, focusing primarily on semantics. She studied computer linguistics in Potsdam and, after several academic positions in Osnabrück and Berlin, moved to Frankfurt. In 2020, she received a Goethe Fellowship at the Forschungskolleg Humanwissenschaften in Bad Homburg. In 2022, she became the Spokesperson for the ViCom priority program, which she co-founded with Prof. Markus Steinbach. Ebert has also been involved in another priority program: XPRAG.de – New Pragmatic Theories based on Experimental Evidence.

Prof. Dr. Markus Steinbach has been conducting research and teaching at the University of Göttingen since 2009, with a focus on semantics, pragmatics, and sign language linguistics. He studied German studies and philosophy at Goethe University Frankfurt and earned his doctorate at Humboldt University in Berlin. From 2007 to 2008, he held a professorship at Goethe University. At Göttingen, he leads the experimental sign language lab. He is involved in several collaborative projects and serves as the publisher of a professional journal and two book series. In 2022, he became the Spokesperson for the ViCom priority program, which he co-founded with Cornelia Ebert.

Images for download: https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/180158826

Caption: Cornelia Ebert und Markus Steinbach, both linguistics experts, jointly lead the DFG Priority Program ViCom. The project is now entering its second funding phase. (Photos: Stefanie Wetzel)

Further Information
Prof. Dr. Cornelia Ebert
Institute for Linguistics
Goethe University Frankfurt
Tel.: +49 (0)69 798-32394
E-Mail: ebert@lingua.uni-frankfurt.de

For more details about all projects, events, and research findings, please visit the homepage of the Priority Program ViCom at https://vicom.info.

Nov 5 2025

12:07

Renowned Frankfurt philosopher and sociologist hands over the second part of his preliminary legacy to University Library Frankfurt

New Insights into Jürgen Habermas’ Intellectual Contributions

For decades, he has been regarded as one of the most important public intellectuals, if not the most important: Jürgen Habermas, who taught for many years as a professor at Goethe University Frankfurt, has decisively shaped the discourse on democracy, society, and media in Germany. Now, he has entrusted his alma mater with the second part of his preliminary legacy, which includes writings and correspondence from the period after 1994.

FRANKFURT. “Goethe University is deeply honored to be entrusted with Jürgen Habermas’ preliminary legacy, which acknowledges his alma mater as his intellectual home. The fact that he wishes to localize research on his work in Frankfurt, the focal point of his development and contributions, is evidence of the close relationship of trust and appreciation Mr. Habermas has for our university,” says Goethe University President Prof. Enrico Schleiff about the latest addition to the University Library. “The Frankfurt School, Critical Theory, and the work of Jürgen Habermas are among the most significant components of our university’s identity: We seek answers to societal questions through a diversity of disciplines.”

The second part of the preliminary collection – i.e. a collection of materials donated during the lifetime of a prominent individual to an institution – was handed over to Frankfurt University Library in February 2025, with the goal that the extensive materials be promptly processed. The materials span the period from 1994 to the present, seamlessly continuing from the first part of the preliminary collection, which was donated to the University Library in 2011 and covers materials up to 1994, the year of Habermas’ retirement. Unlike the first part, this installment primarily consists of digitally stored documents.

Also included in the collection are documents related to Habermas’ extensive political commitment, including statements on politics, Europe, and religion. It also features his academic works created after 1994, materials related to their development, publishing correspondence about his works and their translation, as well as his complete correspondence with notable figures such as publisher Siegfried Unseld, social historian Hans-Ulrich Wehler, and former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. Additionally, 90 file folders containing letters were handed over, along with several boxes of correspondence related to milestone birthdays and other occasions. Habermas’ own letters, stored on his private computer since 1994, were also included in the donation. The computer data also contains unpublished manuscripts and drafts of works created after his retirement.

In 2011, Jürgen Habermas donated the first compendium to Frankfurt University Library. To ensure the extensive and complex collection is properly processed, a dedicated position was created at the time. In close coordination with Jürgen Habermas himself, the writings were cataloged and made accessible in the archives – albeit under strict regulations. The processing took approximately two years.

“The second part of the preliminary estate is far more extensive than the first, and processing is expected to take longer this time,” says Dr. Mathias Jehn, Head of the Department of Curation, Specialized Information, and Placement at Johann Christian Senckenberg University Library. “In its completeness as a continuation of the first materials batch on the one hand, and its openness to international networking on the other, this part of the preliminary estate is even more valuable than the first. It represents a high-level, identity-shaping library asset for both academics and cultural memory.”

The University Library has the expertise and technical know-how required to handle the complex, demanding, and extensive materials. Both analog and digital archival materials are now being processed, preserved, and stored professionally – most importantly, they are being systematically cataloged using the library’s in-house archive management system, Arcinsys. The catalog will also be supplemented with cross-references to the central estate database Kalliope, which documents materials and estates from the German-speaking world, such as the estate collections of the Marbach Literature Archive. “Crosslinking all information will one day be of great importance for the diverse and nuanced perception and appreciation of Jürgen Habermas. The correspondence, in particular, highlights the international network of relationships in which he operates,” says Mathias Jehn.

Once they have been processed, the collections will not be freely accessible without restrictions. During his lifetime, Habermas, as the creator, retains the final say, as do the individuals involved, including his correspondents. Be that as it may, Mathias Jehn points out that thanks to the interlocutors’ close relationship with Jürgen Habermas, in the past, access for academic purposes was granted in a rather straightforward manner. Under the Hessian Archive Law, certain protection periods also apply posthumously, and special interest must be demonstrated.

Habermas has also offered to donate his entire private library – though only after his passing.

Jürgen Habermas, born in 1929, studied philosophy, history, psychology, literature, and economics in Göttingen, Zurich, and Bonn. In 1956, as a research fellow at the Institute for Social Research, he connected with key figures of the Frankfurt School, including Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, and Herbert Marcuse. After positions in Marburg, Bonn, and Heidelberg, he returned to Frankfurt in 1964, where he succeeded Max Horkheimer as chair of philosophy and sociology. He held this position until 1971, during which he significantly shaped the second generation of Critical Theory. From 1983 until his retirement in 1994, he taught again at Goethe University, where he held a professorship in philosophy with a focus on social philosophy and the history of philosophy. Habermas is one of the most widely read philosophers and sociologists of our time.

The Johann Christian Senckenberg University Library is one of Germany’s most important academic libraries, thanks to its extensive collections and holdings. It combines the functions of a university library with numerous state-level responsibilities, serving as a scientific library for the city of Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region, as well as a specialized library within the nationwide system for literature and information resources.

A photo of Prof. Jürgen Habermas is available for download: https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/179957145

Caption: “Once Again: On the Relationship Between Morality and Ethical Life” – this was the title of the keynote lecture with which Prof. Jürgen Habermas honored Goethe University on the occasion of his 90th birthday. The renowned Frankfurt philosopher and sociologist has now handed over the second part of his lecture manuscript to the university library. (Photo: Uwe Dettmar)

Further Information
Dr. Mathias Jehn
Head of the Department of Curation, Specialized Information, and Placement
Johann Christian Senckenberg University Library
Goethe University Frankfurt
Tel. +49 (0)69 798 39007
E-Mail: m.jehn@ub.uni-frankfurt.de

Press releases – 2025

Goethe University PR & Communication Department

Shaping Transformations: Goethe University Honors Researchers

Seven Goethe University researchers among the most cited scientists in the world

Excellence Strategy: Rhine-Main Universities submit joint proposal as a University Excellence Consortium

Research on Visual Communication Continues

New Insights into Jürgen Habermas’ Intellectual Contributions