Science award for microbiologist Jörg Overmann Stifterverband honours commitment to research into and fair use of biological diversity

This year, the Wissenschaftspreis (science award) of the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft called “Forschung in Verantwortung” (research in responsibility) goes to Jörg Overmann, scientific director of the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures and professor in the Institute of Microbiology at Technische Universität Braunschweig.

Professor Jörg Overmann was awarded the Stifterverband’s Wissenschaftspreis 2022. Photo credit: DSMZ

The award recognises the microbiologist’s work on the biodiversity of microorganisms as well as his commitment to a fair balance of interests in the scientific and economic use of biological diversity worldwide. The prize, endowed with 50,000 euros, will be awarded at the annual meeting of the Leibniz Association on 23 November 2022.

“With Jörg Overmann, we are honouring an excellent scientist who has an impact on society with his great research work and takes on responsibility in a very special way,” emphasises Volker Meyer-Guckel, Secretary General of the Stifterverband. “Above all, his outstanding commitment to opening up research data in the field of life sciences is exemplary. Through his work, Jörg Overmann has established an open-access database that is unique worldwide. In doing so, he is making an extraordinary contribution to the global study of biodiversity.”

Excerpt from the joint press release of the Stifterverband and the Leibniz Institute DSMZ.