Eva Stukenbrock appointed member of the French Academy of Sciences
Kiel professor honoured as a foreign associate for her outstanding research on the influence of fungi on health, nutrition and the environment
- Joint press release of Kiel University and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology Plön -
The French Académie des Sciences is one of the five French national academies united in the Institut de France situated in Paris, founded in 1666. It fulfils a dual function as an institution for the promotion of science and in advising government bodies on scientific and societal issues. Its activities include the promotion of scientific research and teaching, the transfer of knowledge and the support of international scientific cooperation. The Academy, which is influential far beyond France, appoints excellent researchers from all over the world, including numerous Nobel laureates, as members and thus honours them as outstanding representatives of their field. Yesterday, the Academy announced that it has appointed 16 new members: Eva Stukenbrock, Professor of Environmental Genomics at Kiel University and Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön (MPI-EB), has also been elected to this prestigious scientific community. Altogether, there are currently around 400 scientific members in this renowned circle. In summer, Stukenbrock will receive the award in Paris at a festive ceremony at the Institut de France.
Confirmation of excellent research in Kiel
The French committee's decision is based in particular on Stukenbrock's outstanding research on the relationships between plants and microorganisms, the evolutionary genomics underlying them and future applications in sustainable plant protection. In particular, the genetic basis of the interactions between fungi and various host organisms, especially with regard to disease development in animals and plants, are the focus of her work. At Kiel University, Stukenbrock also promotes the networking of plant researchers in the Kiel Plant Center (KPC), which she heads. Here, researchers from different disciplines work together to develop scientific principles for maintaining plant health and food security.
"On behalf of the entire university board, I would like to congratulate Eva Stukenbrock on this significant success. Being a member of this influential and highly respected group of scientists is a very well-deserved recognition of her work," emphasizes Professor Eckhard Quandt, vice president for research at Kiel University. "With Stukenbrock's appointment, the Académie des Sciences elects a Kiel researcher for the first time since Professor Eugen Seibold in the 1980s and thus highlights the increasing importance of Kiel's top-level research in the international competition between science locations," Quandt continues.
"Membership of the Académie des Sciences is a great honour for me, for which I would like to express my sincere thanks to the French selection committee," Stukenbrock says. "This international recognition is an important signal for the significance of our transdisciplinary research on fungi and plant symbiosis. It strengthens us in our efforts to develop solutions for the benefit of plant health and food security both in Kiel and in our international networks," Stukenbrock concludes.
About the Académie des Sciences:
Created in 1666, the French Academy of Sciences is an assembly of scientists, chosen among the most distinguished French and foreign specialists. It examines the political, ethical and societal issues surrounding the current and future scientific topics. The Academy reflects, anticipates, explains and pronounces itself, mainly through opinions and recommendations and takes position when necessary. It aims to provide policy makers with a framework of expertise, counsel and alert and more broadly to enlighten the debates and choices of our society. In addition, the Academy of sciences supports research, is committed to the quality of science education and promotes scientific life at the international level.
Scientific contact:
Prof. Eva Stukenbrock
Environmental Genomics Group, Head
Botanical Institute, Kiel University
+49 (0) 431-880-4274
estukenbrock@bot.uni-kiel.de
New member of the French Académie des Sciences: Eva Stukenbrock, Professor of Environmental Genomics at Kiel University and Fellow at MPI-EB in Plön.
More information:
- Académie des Sciences – Institut de France:
www.academie-sciences.fr/en/
- Press release on the election (in French):
www.academie-sciences.fr/fr/Communiques-de-presse/elections-associes-etrangers-2021.html
- Recording of the Formal admission ceremony in Paris (45:30 min. ff.):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D1CGKuWrvA
- Environmental Genomics Group, Botanical Institute, Kiel University /
Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön:
web.evolbio.mpg.de/envgen/
- Kiel Plant Center (KPC), Kiel University:
www.plant-center.uni-kiel.de
About Kiel Life Science (KLS)
The interdisciplinary centre for applied life sciences – Kiel Life Science (KLS) – links research at the CAU from the fields of agricultural and nutritional sciences, the natural sciences and medicine. It forms one of four research focus areas at Kiel University, and is aimed at achieving a better understanding of the cellular and molecular processes with which organisms respond to environmental influences. The research is focussed on issues such as how agricultural crop plants adapt to specific growth conditions, or how illnesses can arise through the interaction of genes, individual lifestyle and environmental factors. Health is always viewed holistically in the context of evolution. Under the research focus’ name, there are currently around 80 scientists from 40 institutes and six faculties from Kiel University working collaboratively as full members.
Press contact:
Christian Urban
Science communication „Kiel Life Science",
Kiel University:
+49 (0) 431-880-1974
curban@uv.uni-kiel.de
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