At the 133rd meeting of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians (GDNÄ) in Potsdam, the Alexander von Humboldt Medal was awarded to Göttingen-based Professor Eva-Maria Neher. She received the award for her scientific educational work and her special commitment as president and board member of the GDNÄ.

Prof. Dr Eva-Maria Neher was honoured with the Alexander von Humboldt Medal at the opening session of the 133rd Conference of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians (GDNÄ) on 13 September 2024 at the Griebnitzsee Campus of the University of Potsdam. At the award ceremony, the current President of the Society of Natural Scientists, Professor Heribert Hofer, highlighted the outstanding contributions of the award winner to the education of young people in the field of mathematics and science. “Eva-Maria Neher has successfully led the GDNÄ’s student programme for many years and developed it into a central part of the meetings,” said Hofer. In addition, as President and long-standing member of the Board of Directors, she has had a decisive influence on the development of the GDNÄ.

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

In her acceptance speech, the prizewinner emphasised her commitment to the GDNÄ, which she intends to continue to support with advice and assistance in the future.

The Alexander von Humboldt Medal honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the further development of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians. The medal commemorates the great natural scientist and cosmopolitan Alexander von Humboldt (1769 to 1859). He made a decisive contribution to the early development of the GDNÄ. The medal has been awarded every two years since 2010.

Daily impressions from the GDNÄ Conference 2024

The Young GDNÄ on the podium, a Nobel Prize winner during his lecture lecture, discussions during the coffee break, the ambience on the Griebnitzsee Griebnitzsee university campus: impressions of the 133rd meeting can be found on this page. A picture and a short text – here you will find brief and succinctly about highlights and nice side events. A detailed photo documentation will soon be available on this homepage.

Thursday, 12 September 2024

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

In GDNÄ hands for four days: Lecture theatre building at the University of Potsdam in Griebnitzsee.

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Science is fun: A look into the audience at the ‘Science in 5 minutes’ competition

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Science in 5 minutes: In a packed lecture theatre at the University of Potsdam, ten pupils and students gave their presentations to be judged by the audience. The topics ranged from innovative wind turbines and laboratory meat to the neglect of diversity in medicine. GDNÄ President Heribert Hofer (on the podium) moderated the evening event.

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

GDNÄ President Heribert Hofer with the acoustically determined winners of the ‘Science in 5 Minutes’ competition. The decisive factor was the intensity of the applause from the audience, which was also measured by app for the first time. In the centre, first-placed Anne Marie Bobes (18), who presented her project ‘Wind2Light’, to the left of medical students Sebastian Paschen and Moritz Roloff (‘Sick Systems – In Search of Fair Healthcare’, 3rd place). 17-year-old Bielefeld student Felix Gross (right) came second with his contribution on pattern recognition using artificial intelligence.

Friday, 13 September 2024

© GDNÄ

Sought-after discussion partner: Nobel Prize winner Ben L. Feringa – during the coffee break, surrounded by young people .

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Professor Eva-Maria Neher from Göttingen is being honored with the Alexander von Humboldt Medal for her great services to the GDNÄ. To her left is the speaker, Professor Michael Dröscher, and to her right Professor Heribert Hofer.

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Lively and entertaining: Professor André Bardow from ETH Zurich in his plea for a sustainability strategy to transform the industry.

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Nobel Prize winner Ben Feringa during his lecture “The art of building small”, in which he explains the structure and function of molecular machines.

Saturday, 14 September 2024

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Fully booked Science & Technology Café on the topic of “Storage of renewable energies: What solutions does chemistry offer?”

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Professor Caroline Gutjahr discusses her lecture “Secret helpers underground: How plants work together with mycorrhizal fungi” with conference participants.

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Questions upon questions about the astonishing placebo effect: Toxicology Professor Bernd Kaina from the Mainz University Medical Center (with microphone) pointed out the possible limits of placebo drugs.

© GDNÄ

Relaxing after a long day at the conference: Ben Feringa in one of Potsdam’s excellent Italian restaurants.

Sunday, 15 September 2024

© GDNÄ

Sunny last day of the meeting: the Griebnitzsee campus is still firmly in GDNÄ hands.

© GDNÄ

Light impression from the lecture hall where lectures and discussions of the GDNÄ meetings took place.

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Quantum computers: state of the art – this was the topic of the lecture by Professor Frank Wilhelm-Mauch from Forschungszentrum Jülich.

© GDNÄ

Magnetic navigation, quantum computers, new materials: the physics lectures offer plenty to discuss.

In dialogue: Potsdam 2024

Whether on the radio or in newspapers, on websites or in social media: the 133rd GDNÄ Assembly at the University of Potsdam arouses the interest of communicators in the Berlin/Brandenburg region and far beyond. On this page we inform you about previous contributions.

In September 2024

Acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering

Illustrated summary by Marc-Denis Weitze, acatech, initiator and moderator of the Science & Technology Cafés at the GDNÄ assembly in Potsdam

>> learn more on acatech.de

rbb24 Brandenburg aktuell 

News report and interview with Professor Michael Dröscher

ChemistryViews

The organ of the scientific network organisation “Chemistry Europe” reports on the award of the Liebig Medal to Professor Katharina Landfester-

>> learn more on chemistryviews.org

:Wissenschaftsregion Bonn

Report on the 133rd meeting focussing on the foundation of the Young GDNÄ.

>> learn more on wissenschaftsregion-bonn.de

LinkedIN

Professor Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, DLR Director and designated GDNÄ President, on the meeting in Potsdam and plans for her 2025-2026 term of office.

>> learn more on LinkedIN

Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung

Press release on the election of Professor Ferdi Schüth as GDNÄ Vice President.

>> learn more on www.kofo.mpg.de

Bochumer Zeitung

Detailed presentation of the planned Leopoldina lecture .

>> learn more in Bochumer Zeitung

acatech

“How AI moves us”: Invitation to the Science & Technology Café on 15 September.

>> learn more on acatech.de

University of Potsdam

Detailed news about the GDNÄ meeting.

>> learn more on www.uni-potsdam.de

Leopoldina

Detailed presentation of the planned Leopoldina lecture .

>> learn more on leopoldina.org

Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Detailed presentation of the planned Leopoldina lecture .

>> learn more on idw-online.de

In August 2024

Helmholtz-Gymnasium Bielefeld

This is about the GDNÄ interview with Paul Scholand, student scholarship holder from the Helmholtz-Gymnasium.

>> learn more on helmholtz-bi.de

Aktivoli – FreiwilligenAkademie

Reference to the 133rd meeting and announcement of an oral report on 24 September 2024 in Hamburg.

>> learn more on aktivoli-kurse.hamburg

:Wissenschaftsregion Bonn

Detailed announcement of the 133rd meeting.

>> learn more on wissenschaftsregion-bonn.de

:Wissenschaftsregion Bonn

Preliminary report on the GDNÄ Conference 2024, focussing on the Young GDNÄ and the lecture “Healthy living and ageing: Facts and myths”.

>> learn more on wissenschaftsregion-bonn.de

Meetingpoint Potsdam

Announcement of the GDNÄ Conference 2024 with details of the lecture “Healthy living and ageing: Facts and myths”.

>> learn more on meetingpoint-potsdam.de

Before Summer 2024

Fraunhofer IAP + Potsdam Science Park

Report on the appointment of Professor Alexander Böker, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in the Potsdam Science Park, as GDNÄ Managing Director for the Business Division.

>> learn more on www.iap.fraunhofer.de

>> learn more on potsdam-sciencepark.de

Experience the 2024 Conference in real time

The Nobel lecture is about tiny molecular machines, the Leopoldina lecture shows how microbes in the Arctic ice are fuelling climate change and the opening ceremony attracts with exciting contributions, music and the awarding of the Alexander von Humboldt Medal. The Young GDNÄ is officially launched in Potsdam and many young people contribute to the success of the conference. Those who attend the 133rd GDNÄ Assembly in Potsdam in person will experience a celebration of science with many highlights.

But even those who cannot be there are invited to participate in real time, as was the case at the 200th anniversary celebrations in Leipzig in 2022. All lectures in lecture hall H5 at the University of Potsdam, Griebnitzsee campus, will be livestreamed, as will the opening with welcoming speeches on 13 September and the public lectures by Nobel Prize winner in Physics Professor Ben L. Feringa “The art of building small” (Friday, 13 September, 18:00 to 19:30) and Professor Liane G. Benning “The Great Melting – Small Cells, Big Consequences” (Saturday, 14 September, 17:30-19:00).

The livestream is free of charge; no special technical requirements are necessary. A digital device and a good internet connection are all you need to watch live:

Note: The video recordings of presentations and other contributions, which will be posted on the GDNÄ’s own video channel after the 133rd Assembly and will also be available free of charge, can be used permanently.

GDNÄ President Heribert Hofer on the highlights of the 2024 Assembly, the responsibility of science and a breath of fresh air from the Young GDNÄ.

Professor Hofer, the 133rd GDNÄ Assembly begins in Potsdam in a few days’ time. As President, you are responsible for the scientific programme – it’s your meeting, so to speak. Are you looking forward to it?
Absolutely. I am very excited about the presentations, the discussions with the audience and the contributions from the many young people we have invited to the conference. 

 “Science for our lives of tomorrow” is the title of the conference. How did this title come about?
We, and by that I mean the GDNÄ Executive Board and Board Council, want to show in Potsdam what future developments are already emerging in science today. We are talking about inventions and discoveries that will have an impact on society as a whole – and much faster than was previously the case. 

What revolutionary changes are these?
Take gene editing in plants, for example. New molecular genetic methods can be used to introduce desired traits into crops quickly and precisely. For example, resistance to widespread pests. This saves on pesticides and protects the environment. In the past, this was only possible, if at all, through years of breeding. Another example is artificial intelligence. New AI developments are reported practically every day and more and more new applications are coming onto the market. 

For many people, AI is currently just a glimmer on the horizon, so their everyday lives have not yet changed much. Is that different at your institute in Berlin?
Yes, we are increasingly utilising the new methods. I don’t know of any research institute in the field of biology that isn’t working or at least experimenting with artificial intelligence. In my field, behavioural ecology, for example, we are trying to improve the observation of wild animals with the help of AI. We are currently validating a pattern recognition programme that should reliably tell us whether individual cheetahs are roaming in Namibia at that moment, whether they are eating or whether they are sleeping. To do this, we have previously equipped the big cats with acceleration sensors and tiny radio antennas. The aim is to automatically classify behaviour around the clock, which would ideally complement on-site observations by researchers. We are very confident that AI will provide us with unimagined insights into the lives of animals in the wild. 

You have mentioned the advantages of new inventions. There are also downsides. Will these also be discussed in Potsdam?
Yes, and that is a major concern of mine. If you want to do science responsibly, you have to look at both sides. In Potsdam, we will be presenting the pros and cons of new technologies and weighing them up in dialogue with the audience. The methods of research, i.e. the question of how scientists arrive at their results, will also be discussed.

© MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

Well attended as always: The Science Slam “Science in 5 minutes” at the GDNÄ Assembly 2022 in Leipzig. Heribert Hofer (left) supervised the participating students.

The GDNÄ has had a well-functioning student programme for many years. Now a Young GDNÄ is to be founded. What is the difference?
The student programme has been running on the side, it was a nice additional programme item. The Young GDNÄ will be our youth organisation, a core element of the GDNÄ – with a wider age range than we know from the student programme. With the Young GDNÄ, we want to accompany selected Students on their way to university and foster dialogue with them. These are great young personalities and we want to say to them: you are welcome here and we look forward to your contribution. To put it in a nutshell: Students used to be our guests, today they are partners. 

Will this already be visible in Potsdam?
Yes, there will be a panel discussion after each lecture block, usually with three presentations, in which the speakers, together with two or three representatives of the Young GDNÄ, will debate with each other and with the audience. The young people will take part in two workshops before the meeting to familiarise themselves with the content. The highlighted discussion format is completely new, there has never been anything like it before. The young people will also be given a special stage at the start of the Assembly on Thursday evening, 12 September, when a number of them will compete against each other with short, snappy presentations in the traditional “Science in 5 Minutes” competition.   

Young people are being courted in many places today. What can the GDNÄ offer them?
Scientific expertise at a high level, but without technical jargon, and a direct exchange with renowned researchers, among them also Nobel Prize winners. All in German, which generally makes communication easier. Most of the students are wide-eyed and can hardly believe that the luminaries are available to them in person – I have experienced this time and time again for many years. The study counselling provided by experienced scientists at our conferences is also highly appreciated.

The GDNÄ only meets every two years. What happens to the Young GDNÄ in the meantime?
We want to talk to the young people about this and we will start in Potsdam. Internally, there is the idea of regional networking with regular meetings and events. A mentoring programme is also being discussed.

What do you have in mind?
A nationwide programme with academics who accompany young people on their way through school and university, right up to the first career stages. I hope that we in the GDNÄ can inspire numerous outstanding members for this task.

Your time as GDNÄ President ends this year. What will happen next with the Young GDNÄ?
It will remain a core element of the GDNÄ. My successor, mechanical engineering professor and head of the German Aerospace Centre Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, sees it the same way. We have already worked out our future plans for the GDNÄ over the past two years and will continue to develop them at a strategy meeting in November. The Young GDNÄ will play an important role in this. I am happy to be involved in the implementation of our ideas – also as First Vice President of the GDNÄ, which I will be from 2025 to 2026.

Finally, a quick question: Who should make the journey to Potsdam in September?
For anyone who wants to take a look into the future, who wants to talk to impressive scientists, physicians and young talents and who wants to understand current topics from an interdisciplinary perspective. Last but not least: Potsdam is a great conference venue with a still young university that has developed excellently and is a wonderful host.