The physician Prof. Dr. Maria Vehreschild was awarded the ‘Scientist of the Year’ prize by Goethe University Frankfurt.
Frankfurt-based microbiome researcher and infectious disease specialist Prof Dr Maria Vehreschild was awarded the Goethe University Frankfurt's ‘Scientist of the Year’ prize on 14 November 2025. Goethe University awards this prize to its scientists every two years at a festive event.
‘for her outstanding research in the field of infectious diseases and microbiome research and her exceptional commitment to students, doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers’
Prof Dr Hubert Serve, Director of Medical Clinic 2 at Frankfurt University Hospital
With the Alfons and Gertrud Kassel Foundation's ‘Scientist of the Year’ award, Goethe University honours transformative research that, ‘through insight, commitment and a spirit of discovery,’ brings about change that has an impact not only on itself, but also on society and future generations, according to University President Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff.
Among other things, Maria Vehreschild's pioneering work on post-COVID diseases has had a significant impact on infectious disease research in Germany, said Prof. Dr. Hubert Serve, Director of Medical Clinic 2 at Frankfurt University Hospital, in his laudatory speech. Another focus of Maria Vehreschild's work is the gut microbiome, where she concentrates on innovative therapeutic approaches using bacteriophages and faecal microbiota transplantation. In 2023, she became the first female chair of the German Society for Infectious Diseases (DGI), a role in which she is currently working to promote greater cooperation between infectious disease societies.
The prize is endowed with €25,000 and honours professors at Goethe University who have made outstanding contributions to research and have rendered outstanding services to the promotion of early-career researchers.
In addition to Maria Vehreschild, her colleague and oncologist Prof. Dr. Thomas Oellerich was also honoured with the ‘Scientist of the Year’ award. The start-up Modulux 3D was awarded the ‘New Horizon – President's Prize’.
We are delighted for Maria Vehreschild on receiving this well-deserved award and congratulate her wholeheartedly. Commitment, energy and innovative talent such as hers are rare indeed!
To the article on the Goethe University Frankfurt website.
René Lesnik | Coordination Infect-Net
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