Embracing Groundbreaking Research: Bayer Foundation Science Awards Celebration
Bayer Foundation Science Awards Celebration 2025
The Awards Celebration started with a panel disucssion on the topic "Scaling Innovation: Founders, Funding and Collaboration" moderated by Krysia Sommers from Bayer AG. With their diverse perspectives on the topic, Christian Rommel (Head of Research and Development at Bayer Pharmaceuticals), Amelie Reigl (Founder of TigerShark Science), Markus Zanner (General Secretary of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation) and Birte Kattelmann-Jagdt (Angel Investor with BEKAYA) gave inspiring insights on leadership, teamwork and innovation management.
The highlight of the event was the Award Ceremony honoring the winners of the Hansen Family Award, Frank Misselwitz Award and Early Excellence in Science Awards.
"Warmest congratulations to all of today’s award winners. Your creativity, scientific rigor, and the courage to ask big questions remind us why we support research: It changes lives and broadens horizons."
Chitkala Kalidas, Executive Director of Bayer Foundation & SVP Bayer
Breaking Barriers: Professor Dr. Lutz Ackermann receives prestigious Hansen Family Award 2025 and four early career scientists receive the Early Excellence in Science Awards 2025
The Hansen Family Award went to Professor Dr. Lutz Ackermann, Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany. He received the award in recognition of his pioneering work on C–H activation chemistry, which enables the precise and efficient modification of carbon–hydrogen bonds — a fundamental breakthrough that accelerates the development of new active ingredients. His techniques allow complex molecules, including anticancer agents and therapeutic proteins, to be selectively improved in a single reaction step, while also contributing to more sustainable chemical processes.
Hansen Family Award 2025 Winner – Professor Dr. Lutz Ackermann
The distinguished winners of the Early Excellence in Science Award are for Chemistry Anna Wuttig from the University of Chicago in the USA, for Biology Casey Paquola from the Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany, for Medical Science, Simon Lebek from the University Hospital Regensburg in Germany, and for Data Science Britta Velten from Heidelberg University in Germany.
Early Excellence in Science Award winners 2025
Scientific Legacy in Thrombosis Research: Sarah Beck and Gerrit M. Grosse are honored with the Frank Misselwitz Memorial Award 2025
We were delighted to honor Dr. Sarah Beck and Dr. med. Gerrit M. Grosse with the Frank-Misselwitz Memorial Award 2025. The Frank Misselwitz Memorial Award for Excellence in Thrombosis Research is a one-time distinction established to honor the scientific legacy of Dr. Frank Misselwitz, who passed away in summer 2025. The award recognizes two early- career researchers whose work reflects the translational ambition and curiosity that shaped Dr. Misselwitz’s career.
Dr. Sarah Beck is being honored for her translational research in the fields of hemostasis, thrombosis, and thrombo-inflammation – with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation. Her work makes a crucial contribution to the fundamental understanding of how thrombotic processes begin and develop, thus contributing to potential future innovations in prevention and therapy.
Dr. Gerrit M. Grosse is being honored for his wide-ranging contributions to translational thrombosis research, which span from biomarker discovery and validation to clinical research and the generation of real-world evidence – particularly in the field of thromboembolism and immunothrombosis in stroke.His work contributes to a more informed, data-driven approach to diagnostics, prevention and therapy, and supports both scientific understanding and clinical decision-making.
"Let’s celebrate the great science that happens in Team Bayer and outside the company. Let’s listen and learn from our awardees. And let’s leave this room a little more inspired than we walked in."
Bill Anderson, CEO Bayer AG
Once again, the Bayer Foundation Science Awards Celebration shone a spotlight on exceptional scientific achievement, reminding us how collaboration and bold innovation can shape breakthroughs that move us closer to a healthier future.
Please find more pictures of the event below.
