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.

“Professor Stukenbrock’s research on the genetics and population biology of fungi is world class", Paul Rainey, Managing Director of the Max-Planck-Institute in Ploen, says. "Her election as an EM of the FAdS is testimony to her excellence. It is our pleasure to have Eva as part of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology and we convey our hearty congratulations to her on this outstanding achievement.” 

"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.

Images are available for download:
www.uni-kiel.de/de/pressemitteilungen/portraitbilder/eva-stukenbrock.jpg
Caption: New member of the French Académie des Sciences: Eva Stukenbrock, Professor of Environmental Genomics at Kiel University and Fellow at MPI-EB in Plön.
© Stefan Kolbe, Kiel University