BTU scientists among the most important minds in Berlin science

Who is particularly influential in science in and around the metropolis of Berlin? Every year, the Tagesspiegel honours the "100 most important minds in science in the capital" in a science special. Three of this year's winners come from BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg: Master's student Elisa Korb, Prof. Roh Pin Lee, Head of the Department of Decarbonisation and Transformation of Industry and Dr. Zeido Zeido, Associate Member of the Chair of Architectural Conservation.

"With this series, the Tagesspiegel honours outstanding personalities from the world of science. Our three award winners fit in wonderfully, because they are passionate about research and teaching, are committed to our university and our society and thus ensure sustainable change in the metropolitan region," says BTU Prof. Dr Michael Hübner, full-time Vice President for Research and Transfer.

About the award winners

Elisa Korb was honoured as the best STEM student 2024 in the Master's programme. She is studyingBusiness Administration and Engineering with a specialisation in Environmental Engineering and is characterised by her excellent academic performances and her broad social commitment: Among other things, she is a member of the Association of German Industrial Engineers (VWI), organises events, represents BTU at nationwide events, collects donations for charitable causes, works at the Center for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus (chesco) and is board chairperson of the Student Council for Business Administration and Engineering.

Prof. Roh Pin Lee is head of the chair of Decarbonisation and Transformation of Industry. Her key research areas also include the carbon cycle economy, technology assessment and science communication. She is a member of the Brandenburg Scientific Climate Advisory Board, the Steering Committee of the Decarbonisation of Industry Cluster in Germany and the lead scientific expert on circular economy for the Scientific Expert Panel of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Prof. Dr. Lee habilitated at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where she was awarded the venia legendi for Technology Assessment, Environmental and Resource Management. She obtained her MBA in International Management of Resources and Environment and her doctorate from the University of Technology, Bergakademie Freiberg. Prof. Lee completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the National University of Singapore

Dr Zeido Zeido is an associate member and lecturer in the Chair of Architectural Conservation at BTU, where he teaches the module "Urban History and Urban Heritage Conservation". The German-Syrian architect, scientist and lecturer focusses his research on urban development, urban reconstruction and conflicts in the context of urbanism. With his scholarship from the Gerda Henkel Foundation for research into the preservation of Syrian cultural heritage, he has published several scientific papers on this topic. He has worked as an architect in various countries, including Germany, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Zeido also received support from the DFG Graduate College 1913 "Cultural and Technical Values of Historic Buildings" and from the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Urban Planning at BTU for the publication of his anthology "Mapping Cities in the MENA Region: Visualising the Untold Narratives of Heritage", which was published in June 2025.

Background "The 100 most important minds in Berlin science"

Since 2023, the Tagesspiegel has published the annual series "The 100 most important minds in Berlin science", which not only honours top scientific achievements, but also highlights those outstanding personalities who have a lasting influence on society through excellent teaching or special commitment.