Mannheim – November 08, 2026 -- The VAA Stiftung awarded three early-career researchers its Excellence Prize, worth EUR 5,000 each, at the VAA annual conference in Mannheim on 6 November 2026.
The foundation is run by the VAA, the association representing specialists and executives in chemicals and pharma. It presents the prize once a year for innovative research in chemistry, pharmacy and process engineering.
Three dissertations target CO2 conversion and carbon materials
Dr. Arne Nisters of Technische Universität Darmstadt won for his dissertation on nanoporous phosphine macroligands as solid catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide.
Dr. Niklas Ortlieb of the University of Freiburg was honored for a toolbox for tailored, porous, nitrogen-doped 3D carbon nanospheres that enables rational bottom-up electrode design.
Dr. Neele Uhlenbruck of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology won for her work on methane pyrolysis in a liquid-metal bubble column reactor. The reactor is part of a process chain for producing carbon materials from carbon dioxide.
Foundation chair says transformation affects chemical and pharma firms of every size
Dr. Thomas Fischer, chair of the VAA Stiftung board of trustees, told the conference that the transformation grips the entire chemical and pharmaceutical sector, from large groups to SMEs. He said the industry can master it if companies have the courage to drive innovation and implement it consistently.
Fischer, who is also honorary chair of the VAA, said young researchers can give industry substantial impulses. He described the foundation's mission as bringing science and industry together and helping young scientists move their ideas into industrial practice.
Seven-member jury picks winners from science and industry
The board of trustees, made up of senior representatives from science and industry, selects the winners each year. The 2026 jury comprised Prof. Sabine Becker, Prof. Sabine Beuermann, Prof. Ralf Dohrn, Dr. Thomas Fischer, Prof. Sonja Herres-Pawlis, Prof. Andreas Jupke and Prof. Wolfram Koch.