VAAM Masterprizes
The first VAAM Master prizes have been awarded!
Following nominations by their supervisors, the VAAM has selected five outstanding master's theses for recognition in the first call of applications. We are delighted to announce this year's recipients – congratulations to all awardees!
Anne Baborski, Institut für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
„MS-BREATH: Polymicrobial Biofilms on Bilioenteric Catheters“.
Ilham El Barkani, Institut für Molekulare Biotechnologie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, „Characterization of the phage holin-like protein LiaZ of Enterococcus faecalis“.
Clarincia Gowenia, Institut für Mikrobiologie, Leibniz Universität Hannover
„Understanding the regulation of the wax ester synthase/diacyl acyltransferase Vnz_33585 and the physiological role of triacylglycerol in Streptomyces venezuelae“.
Désirée Ross, Institut für Mikrobiologie, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau
„Resurrection after nitrogen-depletion to unravel phycocyanobilin biosynthesis in red algae“.
Janne-Marie Sowa, Institut für Mikrobiologie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
„Establishment of Keratinocyte co-culture system for MF-associated Staphylococcus aureus and antimicrobial metabolite screening“.
From 2026, the VAAM recognises outstanding Master’s graduates specialising in microbiology
Eligible candidates may be nominated by full members of the VAAM by 31 March and 30 September of each year and will be selected by the VAAM Executive Board, represented by the Advisory Board. In addition to the final examination mark, aspects such as the results of the Master’s thesis, the duration of the programme or particular achievements during the course of study may be taken into account during the nomination process.
The nominating person shall, where possible, publicly honour the award winner at a graduation ceremony, a lecture or a seminar on site.
The award winners are listed in BIOspektrum and on the VAAM website. In addition to a certificate, all award winners receive a book voucher from Springer Spektrum|Springer-Verlag and one year’s free membership of the VAAM. Membership includes a free subscription to the journal BIOspektrum.
Please submit your nominations for the VAAM Master’s Thesis Awards to the VAAM office via your institute’s VAAM contact person, stating the name of the nominee, the title of the Master’s thesis, a brief justification, and the date of the planned award ceremony.
