Our new doctoral student Celina Nauerz (Cell Biology; left picture) was awarded the GBM Master’s Prize for her outstanding master’s thesis. There, she investigated the early stages of mitochondrial protein import and identified cytosolic chaperones that interact with mitochondrial carrier proteins. The award was presented during the Department of Biology’s academic year celebration in the summer of 2026 by our spokesperson, Prof. Johannes Herrmann.
Celina is not the only one of our doctoral students to have received this award. In 2025, Laura Fischer (Molecular Biotechnology, middle picture) was also honored for her master’s thesis. She developed genetically encoded sensor proteins suitable for the intracellular measurement of pH, NADPH, and NADH in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Using modular cloning, Laura generated strains in which all three sensors are produced simultaneously and can be detected.
And in 2024, our doctoral student Sarah Gabelmann (Molecular Biotechnology; right picture) received the award from the German Botanical Society for the best master’s thesis in plant science completed at RPTU in 2024. Sarah was the first to characterize the core proteome of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under various conditions using proximity labeling, which led to the identification of proteins potentially involved in the stress response to increased H₂O₂ production. The award was presented by our PIs, Prof. Ekkehard Neuhaus and Prof. Michael Schroda.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations and are very proud to have such talented people on board.