In Retrospective: Second Research Day with Various Awards for Young Researchers at BTU

The second Research Day at BTU on the Senftenberg Campus offered wide‑ranging insights into excellent research and interdisciplinary exchange. From the perspective of the Graduate Research School (GRS), this year’s award winners once again highlight the importance of consistent and reliable support for early‑career researchers. The GRS provides targeted and long‑term funding for young talent — with tangible success stories:

Best Dissertation
Dr. Chefor Fotang received the award for his outstanding dissertation on the critically endangered Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee. Despite political instability in Cameroon and the restrictions caused by the pandemic, he published four papers in leading primatology journals, obtained several international research grants, and completed his dissertation with the grade summa cum laude. The GRS supported the final stage of his work through a short‑term scholarship. We would also like to thank his supervisor, Professor Birkhofer (Chair of Ecology), for his inspiring laudation.

Best Paper – Young Researchers
Petros Beleniotis (together with Dr. Christos Zervos) was awarded for his research on improving the efficiency and performance of GaN HEMTs – key components for high‑frequency applications such as 5G and radar. The GRS awarded Mr. Beleniotis a PhD scholarship at the beginning of his doctoral studies. His supervisor, Professor Rudolph (Ulrich‑L.‑Rohde Endowed Professorship), successfully obtained DFG funding and employs Mr. Beleniotis within the project.

Paper: “Investigation of Traps Impact on PAE and Linearity of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs Relying on a Combined TCAD–Compact Model Approach”

Best Paper – Senior Researchers
Professor Jan Ingo Flege received the award for his pioneering work on hydrogen detection at room temperature – an important step toward safe, energy‑efficient sensor technologies with high practical relevance. He serves as the spokesperson of the BTU–BAM Graduate School “Trustworthy Hydrogen.” The award‑winning paper was co‑authored with doctoral researcher Rudi Tschammer, whose position is funded by the GRS.

Paper: “Hydrogen Sensing via Heterolytic H₂ Activation at Room Temperature by Atomic Layer Deposited Ceria”

Best Poster Awards
Dr. Victoria Liedtke, Gesine Kretzschmar, and Karolina Majchrzak were recognized for their engaging and insightful poster presentations. The GRS has supported Dr. Liedtke’s work on several occasions through mobility grants.

• 1st Place: Dr. Victoria Liedtke – “LEDGF/p75 – a possible prognostic biomarker candidate for colorectal cancer?”
• 2nd Place: Gesine Kretzschmar – “Analytical grade purification of Phycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis for standardized in vitro cytotoxic testing”
• 3rd Place: Karolina Majchrzak – “When Less Is More: Loss of Sbno2 Promotes Myogenesis in Wasting Conditions”

These awards from diverse fields once again demonstrate how GRS funding empowers talented researchers at BTU – and how these investments translate into measurable contributions to science and society.