Leopoldina news 4_2021 | Page 13

4 / 2021 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS 13

CHRISTIAN DUSTMANN RECEIVES THE CARL-FRIEDRICH-VON-WEIZSÄCKER-PRIZE 2020

In 2020 , economist Christian Dustmann ML was honoured with the Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker-Prize for his research in the field of migration and the labour market . Unfortunately , the award ceremony for the 50,000 euro prize , which is awarded jointly by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and Stifterverband , had to be postponed due to the pandemic . However , the event finally took placed in Halle ( Saale ), at the end of October this year . In his talk , the labour market and migration economist Christian Dustmann explored the different ways of researching immigration and its impact on the labour market , and also set out the resulting challenges . He was presented with his prize by fellow economist and Vice President of the Leopoldina , Regina T . Riphahn . Christian Dustmann is Professor of Economics at University College London ( UCL ) in the UK . His work provides an important scientific basis for public debates on migration and integration policy in Europe . The Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker- Prize is a prestigious German award for science-based policy advice .

■ AB / Image : Markus Scholz | Leopoldina Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker-Prize 2020

Special edition of the Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker-Prize recognises contribution to the field of cancer immunotherapy

The German National Academy Leopoldina and Stifterverband have honoured haematologist , oncologist and immunologist Christoph Huber with a special edition of the Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker-Prize . They recognise his contribution in the field of cancer immunotherapy . His research provided an important foundation for the development of an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 .

Prize is endowed with 50,000 euros and honours researchers who have made a valuable scientific contribution to resolving key societal challenges . It is awarded every two years , most recently in 2020 to economist Christian Dustmann ( see earlier article ). In 2021 , a special edition of the prize will be awarded to Austrian immunologist Christoph Huber .

Huber was Head of the Department of Internal Medicine III ( Haematology and Oncology ) at the University of Mainz / Germany when , in 2008 , he founded the Mainz-based company Biontech

Christoph Huber was Head of the Department of Internal Medicine III ( Haematology and Oncology ) at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz / Germany from 1990 until 2009 when he was appointed Professor emeritus .

Image : Peter Pulkowski

together with his colleagues Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci . The company specialises in personalized cancer immunotherapy and mRNA technology , but when the pandemic hit it switched its attention to developing a vaccine against COVID-19 . The Biontech vaccine was the first to be approved for use against COVID-19 and has proved an invaluable tool for pandemic containment .

In the field of cancer research , Christoph Huber has made many significant contributions to the advancement of immunotherapy for malignant diseases . He first started working in cancer immunotherapy back in the 1970s and has since become a world-renowned researcher in the field .

“ Christoph Huber is a pioneer in the field of cancer immunology research , and was quick to recognise the potential of this technology . The fact that his research and visionary approach provided the foundation for the development of a novel COVID-19 vaccine at such speed , is testament to the significance of his work ,” explains Gerald Haug , President of the Leopoldina .

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Special edition Carl-Friedrich-von- Weizsäcker-Prize