Excellent research at BTU

The prize for the best dissertation was awarded to a scientist whose work is based on intensive fieldwork under the most difficult conditions as well as outstanding international commitment and impresses with particular scientific depth. The Young Researcher and Senior Researcher Awards, with which the university honours excellent research at different career stages, were also presented.

The second Research Day at the BTU Campus Senftenberg was held under the motto "From cells to care: Research connects!". In addition to presentations and discussions on current developments in research for tomorrow's health, prizes were also awarded to BTU scientists. The prizes, worth a total of 6,500 euros, were donated jointly by the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg Friends' Association and the university. They exemplify the high standard and diversity of research at BTU.

The prize of 1,500 euros for the best dissertation went to Dr Chefor Fotang for his research work entitled "Conservation Status and Ecology of the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North-West region, Cameroon". In his doctoral thesis, the scientist investigated the Ecology, distribution and behaviour of the world's rarest subspecies of chimpanzee. Due to the global impact of humans - for example through deforestation and poaching - as well as climate change, the population of this species is severely threatened. With his research based on intensive fieldwork in Cameroon, Chefor Fotang contributes to improving knowledge about the current distribution and population size as well as the most important endangerment and adaptation factors of the animals. His publications in renowned international zoological journals are of high scientific quality and make an important contribution to primate research. The dissertation was graded "summa cum laude". The examiners were BTU Prof. Dr Klaus Birkhofer, Chair of Ecology, and Prof. Dr Christian Roos, German Primate Centre - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research. Dr. Fotang completed his thesis as part of the doctoral program in Environmental and Resource Management.

Jörg Waniek, Chairman of the Board of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg Friends' Association, said: "It is a special pleasure and honour for us as the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg Friends' Association to award the prize for the best dissertation at the university. This prize is an example of the outstanding academic work and exceptional commitment shown by young researchers. Their dissertations are not only an expression of individual excellence and intellectual capacity, but also a significant contribution to the further development of our common knowledge. As a funding organisation, we have made it our mission to provide long-term support for science and, in particular, the promotion of young talent. With this award, we therefore not only want to honour scientific achievements, but also highlight the central importance of science for our society."

Prof. Dr Michael Hübner, Full-time Vice President for Research and Transfer , underlines the importance of the Best Paper Awards with the following words: " The Best Paper Awards in the categories Young Researcher and Senior Researcher at BTU are being presented for the second time this year. They recognise outstanding scientific excellence and innovative strength at our university. The award-winning papers are characterised by excellent scientific methods and significant, practice-relevant findings. They are impressive proof of the high quality and commitment to research at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg."

Young Researcher Prizes

The 2,500 euro prize went to:

Petros Beleniotis, Chair of Radio Frequency and Microwave Engineering for the paper "Investigation of Traps Impact on PAE and Linearity of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs Relying on a Combined TCAD-Compact Model Approach".

Senior Researcher Prizes

The prize of 2,500 euros went to: Prof. Dr rer. nat. Jan Ingo Flege, Chair of Applied Physics and Semiconductor Spectroscopy for the paper "Hydrogen Sensing via Heterolytic H2 Activation at Room Temperature by Atomic Layer Deposited Ceria".

Health and life sciences

The second day of research at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg was dedicated to the topics of health and life sciences. Under the title "From the cell to care - research connects!", scientists presented the latest research results, developments and live presentations.

To the profile lines of the BTU: www.b-tu.de/forschung/profil/profillinien

The BTU Sponsors' Association

The Förderverein der Brandenburgischen Technischen Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg e.V. supports the university in realising events and projects as part of its educational mission and in addressing student concerns. These include the prize for the best dissertation at BTU and the prizes for the best Bachelor's and Master's thesis.