20 May 2025 · People· Press Release

Dies Universitatis: University Medal for Prof. Dr. Marco Prinz

At the Dies Universitatis, Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein presented the University Medal to CIBSS researcher Marco Prinz and emphasised the forward-looking approach of the University of Freiburg in the context of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments and with regard to global challenges.

At the Dies Universitatis on 20 May 2025, Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein prepared the university community for a special week: With the decision on the funding applications of the four clusters of excellence and initiatives in the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments due on 22 May, she said: "I firmly believe that all four alliances deserve to be successful in this line. These four cluster alliances not only perfectly reflect our research profile and our future orientation. They also demonstrate our university's commitment to important societal issues."

Rector Kerstin Krieglstein and Marco Prinz at the presentation of the University Medal Photo: Jürgen Gocke / University of Freiburg

Under the themes of responsibility and future orientation, the rector emphasised the multiple global crises and transformational processes, which not only affect universities, but also call on them to contribute significantly to finding solutions. The University of Freiburg views this as a clear call to action, namely to establish itself as a European centre of science and innovation and to redefine its institutional role.

“By their very nature, universities cannot and must not withdraw into their own inertia; they must play a central role in strengthening Europe in the necessary areas. The University of Freiburg is taking responsibility for the present and future, setting the course to ensure it remains strong and capable of renewal.”

University Medal for Marco Prinz

In honour of his outstanding service to the University of Freiburg, Krieglstein presented CIBSS researcher Prof. Dr. Marco Prinz with the University Medal. The university recognised Prinz's excellent research, highlighting his receipt of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize in 2020. This prestigious award recognises Prinz's groundbreaking contributions to the field of neuroimmunology. His work has brought about a paradigm shift in our understanding of the immune response in the brain. “Marco Prinz's research has made a significant contribution to the research focus area 'Signals of Life',” Krieglstein emphasised in her laudatory speech. Since 2008, Prinz has been Medical Director of the Institute of Neuropathology at the Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, conducting research into neuroimmunology, neurodegeneration and innate immunity. His scientific work is highly regarded both nationally and internationally, having received numerous awards.

The mind and the machine – teaching, learning and research for an uncertain future?

In an interview, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Andreas Voßkuhle, Deputy Chair of the University Council, presented the Council's work. The Board has been in office since 1 October 2024. The subsequent panel discussion addressed the topic "The mind and the machine – teaching, learning and research for an uncertain future?". Taking part in the discussion were Dr. Meike Bonefeld, Junior Professor at the Institute of Educational Science, Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Ruhstorfer, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Prof. Dr. Thomas Stieglitz, Professor of Biomedical Microtechnology and spokesperson for the BrainLinks-BrainTools research centre and Amélie Zacharie, graduate of the Digital Skills Certificate.

CIBSS profile of Prof. Dr. Marco Prinz

Original press release University of Freiburg