Outstanding research work for the mobility of the future NFF doctoral prizes awarded to two young researchers in Braunschweig
In order to raise the profile of young researchers at the Lower Saxony Research Centre for Vehicle Technology (NFF) at Technische Universität Braunschweig, the NFF doctoral prizes are awarded every two years. On 11 November 2025, two prizes were awarded: First place, worth 4,000 euros, went to Dr.-Ing. Silvia Thal, and second place, worth 1,000 euros, went to Dr. Joana M. Warnecke. Both dissertations are dedicated to the mobility of the future. In her dissertation, Silvia Thal deals with the development of a fundamental method for safety verification of highly automated driving functions, while Joana Warnecke has developed a concept for continuous health monitoring using various modes of transport.
A total of ten applicants qualified for the NFF Doctoral Award in 2025. NFF Board Spokesperson Professor Thomas Vietor was delighted: “Once again this year, we received exceptionally good applications from all research fields of the NFF. The two scientists selected by the jury have demonstrated impressive achievements in translating research results into industrial practice in their dissertations and numerous other projects. With the successful transfer of knowledge and research into society, they have made an important contribution to fulfilling the goals of the NFF.”
TU President Professor Dr. Angela Ittel emphasises: “Our task is to carry engineering, the spirit of discovery and innovative strength into the future. We must dare to think differently – more courageously, more connectedly, more sustainably. And that is exactly what the Lower Saxony Research Centre for Vehicle Technology – the NFF – and TU Braunschweig as an ecoversity stand for. We combine excellence in research with our educational mission: to empower young people to design solutions. In this way, we promote our young talents in a future-oriented manner. Congratulations!”
Dr.-Ing. Silvia Thal from the Institute of Automotive Engineering: Safety in autonomous driving
First prize went to Dr.-Ing. Silvia Thal from the Institute of Automotive Engineering at TU Braunschweig for her dissertation ‘Internationally harmonised test scenarios for automated driving’ (examiner Prof. Roman Henze), which was awarded ‘with distinction’.
Silvia Thal thus addresses a topic of great social and international importance, as it represents the key component for the successful widespread introduction of autonomous driving. While individual demonstrations already show a high degree of technical maturity, the global rollout and approval in international markets require proof that autonomous vehicles are truly safe.
In her dissertation, the award winner made outstanding contributions to the establishment and design of a data-based validation methodology. Using measurement data from real traffic situations, she identified statistically relevant test scenarios and borderline cases in order to provide evidence for the approval of highly automated driving functions. To this end, the thesis was the first to consider the operating range of inner-city traffic. Using simulations, the young scientist was able to prove that the test scenarios are suitable for distinguishing between safe and less safe automated vehicles. For Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roman Henze, one thing is clear: “These innovative contributions to data-based validation will make a significant contribution to ensuring that autonomous driving technology not only comes onto the market faster, but also in a validated form that is eligible for approval.”
Dr. Joana M. Warnecke, Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics: Health monitoring in vehicles
Dr. Joana M. Warnecke was awarded second prize for her dissertation, which she completed with ‘summa cum laude’ at the Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics at the TU Braunschweig and the Hannover Medical School (examiner: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dipl.-Ing. Thomas Deserno).
The aim of her doctoral thesis was to develop and evaluate a sensor system for cars and signal fusion algorithms under real driving conditions to measure heartbeat and respiratory movement. With her concept for continuous health monitoring, which she has also transferred to other modes of transport, such as e-scooters, it will be possible in the future to detect many diseases and serious health events (such as strokes) individually and at an early stage through the use of technology and computer science, and to prevent them permanently by taking appropriate measures.
NFF Doctoral Award: The Heinrich couple supports as patrons
Since 2015, the NFF Doctoral Award has been presented every two years in recognition of outstanding scientific work that supports the NFF’s goals with regard to the vision of sustainable mobility. The award-winning work must differ in terms of its classification in the NFF research fields and in its specialist discipline. In 2025, ten young researchers qualified to apply for the prize with their dissertations.
As a renowned award, the NFF Doctoral Prize plays an important role in promoting knowledge and technology transfer at TU Braunschweig. This year, it was awarded for the sixth time – and for the first time with the support of Andrea and Dr. Axel Heinrich, who, as new sponsors of the prize, will provide a total of 5,000 euros in prize money for two young scientists in future.