This release is available in German.
Six young researchers from the fields of mathematics/computer science, physics and chemistry had two reasons to celebrate during this year's award ceremony for Germany's competition "Jugend forscht" in Kiel. Not only did they place first in their respective research areas, but they were also awarded the Europa-Preis of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation).
DFG Vice President Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernd Scholz-Reiter awarded the Europa-Preis to Danial Sanusi (18), Xianghui Zhong (17) and Fabian Henneke (18) from the Kippenberg Gymnasium in Bremen, winners in mathematics/computer science. The award in the field of physics was presented to Benjamin Walter (16) from Gymnasium Franziskaneum in Meißen; in chemistry, the award went to Gabriel Salg (16) and Nicolas Scheidig (16) from the Hanns-Seidel-Gymnasium in Mösbach.
With the Europa-Preis, which was established last year, the DFG aims to underline the significance of internationalisation for a successful career in research. In addition to 1,000 euros in prize money, the award also includes the intensive preparation of the nominees for their participation in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), which will be held from 23 – 28 September 2011 in Helsinki, Finland. The nominees will be supervised by mentors during the preparatory phase for the EU competition as well as accompanied by them to Helsinki. The DFG selects these mentors from the early career researchers that it funds. This is also intended to facilitate lasting networking between the generations of researchers.
The three young mathematicians from Bremen, Danial Sanusi, Xianghui Zhong and Fabian Henneke, were recognised for their project "Multidimensional Colour Theory", in which they examine geometric structures that spread into considerably more than three dimensions. The winner in physics, Benjamin Walter, received the award for his project "Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy of Coronene Molecules on Germanium (111)". The young chemists Gabriel Salg and Nicolas Scheidig, who received the Federal Chancellor's Prize for the most original work in this year's competition round, research the secret of deodorisers and are working on a new formula for eliminating bad breath.
The costs for the meetings between mentors and young researchers, the translation of the presentations for Helsinki and for the travel of the mentors are covered by the DFG.
Further Information Information on all prizewinners in this year's national competition "Jugend forscht" can be found at: www.jugend-forscht.de
Further information on the Europa-Preis: Dr. Eva-Maria Streier, Director of Press and Public Relations, Tel. +49 (0)228 885-2250, em.streier@dfg.de