Is one of the most prominent voices in popular science communication in Germany. The trained chemist, science journalist, and author appears in various TV formats and launched her own science show Maithink X – Die Show (ZDFneo). She is a member of the senate at the Max-Planck-Society.
Was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1995 for her research on the genetic control of early embryonic development in animals; she was the first woman in Germany to receive this award. In 2004, the biochemist and developmental biologist founded the Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation to support young female scientists with children.
Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2021 for his work on asymmetric organocatalysis, which is used worldwide in the production of medicines and solar cells. He is Director of the Department of Homogeneous Catalysis at the Max–Planck–Institute for Coal Research in Mülheim a.d. Ruhr.
Is a researcher specializing in ribosomes as well as a molecular and structural biologist, best known for his work on the structure and function of ribosomes. For his fundamental contributions to understanding ribosomal structure and function, he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009. His findings have direct medical relevance, for example, in developing new antibiotics. From 2015 to 2020, Ramakrishnan served as President of the Royal Society.
Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her extensive fight for democracy and human rights, especially for children’s and women’s rights, as the first Muslim woman. The Iranian lawyer and activist was the first woman to serve as a judge in Iran. Due to repression by the Iranian regime because of her political activism, she has been living in exile in the UK since 2009.
Is regarded as one of the most productive and creative chemists of his generation. In 2016, he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the design and synthesis of molecular machines. He also helped construct the world’s first molecular “nanocar,” which could someday transport medicines precisely within the body for therapy.
Is especially known for his research on cosmic background radiation, which significantly contributed to the confirmation of the Big Bang theory; he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2006. Additionally, as a long-time Senior Project Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, he played a crucial role in the development of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
Is one of the most influential evolutionary biologists of our time; he describes the gene as the fundamental unit of natural selection. Dawkins coined the term “meme” as a cultural analogue to the gene to explain cultural evolution. He also takes a critical stance towards religion and is considered one of the leading figures of the “New Atheism.”
Became well-known through his programs Leschs Kosmos, Frag den Lesch, and Faszination Universum. The astrophysicist and nature philosopher is a recognized science communicator who explains the pressing questions of our time in a scientifically based yet entertaining manner. He teaches at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität and at the Hochschule für Philosophie, both in Munich.
Is one of Germany’s leading science journalists. He developed and hosted numerous TV shows such as Quarks & Co. (WDR) and Die große Show der Naturwunder (ARD). The physicist, science journalist, and author dedicates his work to questions regarding the future priorities and values of our world.
