Research Awarded: PMU Science Prizes 2025 given
At this year's "Science Get Together" (SGT) on the campus of the Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU) in Salzburg, last Friday was all about excellent research, exciting projects, and innovative advancements. In a ceremonial setting, the "Research & Innovation Awards 2025" were presented—an accolade that honors outstanding scientific achievements by employees of the PMU institutes and university hospitals in Salzburg and Nuremberg each year. Nearly 400 guests attended the 16th networking event, which alternates annually between Salzburg and Nuremberg.
In his opening speech, PMU Rector Wolfgang Sperl welcomed the attendees and thanked them for coming to this year's event: "Science connects us—today contributes to networking, and I wish you much success." Vice Rector Barbara Kofler was overwhelmed by the number of presentations: "Over 200 poster exhibitions from various working groups reflect the keen interest in our scientific networking event, which makes me very happy."
Coveted Title: "Researcher of the Year"
Who earned the title of "Researcher of the Year" in 2025? These four outstanding individuals can rejoice in being named "Researcher of the Year":
Dr. Elke Boxhammer, Assistant Physician at Salzburg University Hospital (University Clinic for Internal Medicine II), received the title for the second time. Together with her interdisciplinary team, she is driving the establishment of a cardiovascular research center with the goal of sustainably improving patient care for cardiovascular diseases.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Wernly, originally from Upper Austria, expressed surprise but joy at his award. He works at Salzburg University Hospital and combines his clinical activities with data-based research. At the PMU's Institute for General, Family, and Preventive Medicine, he develops new approaches for analyzing large clinical databases. His goal: science that directly impacts everyday clinical practice.
At the Nuremberg location, the title went to Adjunct Prof. Dr. Georgia Levidou, an expert in bone marrow diseases and thymus tumors. In her current projects at the University Institute of Pathology at Nuremberg University Hospital, she primarily investigates the mechanisms of tumor development and prognostic biomarkers.
Awarded for the fourth time: Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Francesco Pollari, PhD, is once again honored with the PMU Prize this year. The heart valve specialist focused his current research on catheter-based valve replacement. In one of his original works, his team compared long-term results of open-heart mitral valve surgery with the transcatheter procedure. Pollari conducts research and works at Nuremberg Hospital (University Hospital for Cardiac Surgery).
To determine the Researchers of the Year, all publications from the calculation year (2024) published in a journal listed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) by Clarivate Analytics with an impact factor are considered.
Emerging Research Spirit: "Rising Scientists"
In the "Rising Scientists" category, four researchers at the Salzburg and Nuremberg locations were also awarded for their work:
Mag. Kristen Kopp, PhD, MSc, originally from America, has led over 80 clinical studies in the last 20 years and impresses with her broad scientific expertise in internal medicine.
PMU alumnus Dr. Constantin Hecker, Senior Physician in Neurology at Schön Klinik Bad Aibling, conducts research at the University Institute for Neurointervention and focuses his work on innovative approaches to treating strokes and aneurysms.
Manuela Beckert, until recently at the University Institute of Pathology at Nuremberg Hospital, was awarded the PMU Prize for her first original work as part of her doctoral studies. She developed a diagnostic algorithm for subtyping lung carcinomas based on biopsy material.
Also among the awardees is Dr. Thomas Eibl, PhD, who researches at Nuremberg University Hospital in the University Clinic for Neurosurgery. He was recognized for his publications on navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS)—a non-invasive procedure.
Best First Author Publication in a Top-Ranked Journal
Honored for their outstanding publications in top-ranked journals were:
Dr. Bernardo Crespo Pimentel, Salzburg University Hospital, University Clinic for Neurology
Dr. Andrea Egger-Rainer, PhD, MScN (Salzburg University Hospital, University Clinic for Neurology & University Institute for Palliative Care)
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Athanasios Katsargyris (Nuremberg Hospital, University Clinic for Vascular Surgery, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery)
Dr. Adriana Marton (Nuremberg Hospital, University Clinic for Internal Medicine I)
Science Report 2025
Accompanying the award ceremony, the current Science Report was published and presented—providing an exciting insight into the projects, successes, and research focuses of the Paracelsus Medical Private University over the past year, as well as all information about the mentioned awardees.
Keynote Lecture: "Digital Culture & Scientific Integrity"
Another highlight of this year's event was the keynote lecture "Digital Culture & Scientific Integrity" by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Forgó, Professor of Technology and Intellectual Property Law at the University of Vienna.
Conclusion of SGT25: The PMU once again demonstrates how vibrant science can be—with award-winning scientists, future-oriented projects, and a network that benefits from lively exchange.
Impressions from the PMU Science Get Together 202: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paracelsusuniversitaet/albums/72177720327233248/
Translated by Le Chat / Mistral AI
