Molecular biologist Kerstin Göpfrich honoured with the €1 million Alfried Krupp Prize 2024
The Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation has awarded molecular biologist and biophysicist Prof. Dr Kerstin Göpfrich the 2024 Alfried Krupp Prize – one of the most prestigious scientific awards in Germany. The 34-year-old has been a professor at the Centre for Molecular Biology at Heidelberg University since 2022. The selection committee of the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation received a total of 39 nominations from all over Germany.
The €1 million award was presented by Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert, State Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, at a festive event at Villa Hügel. Dr Linda Walther, Director of the Josef Albers Museum Quadrat Bottrop, gave the keynote speech on the topic ‘To open eyes. The legacy of Josef Albers’.
‘We are delighted to honour Prof. Kerstin Göpfrich with this year’s Alfried Krupp Prize,’ said Prof. Ursula Gather, Chair of the Krupp Foundation’s Board of Trustees. ‘Not only does her research in the field of synthetic biology open up new perspectives for science and industry, it can also revolutionise our understanding of life. With her innovative approaches, which have already led to several patented applications, Kerstin Göpfrich is a leader in this field. The Krupp Foundation is proud to accompany this exceptional scientist on her journey and to support her in the development of these revolutionary approaches.’