Alexander von Humboldt-Professur
Award year: 2020
Category: Award / Honour
Type: Alexander von Humboldt-Professur
Awarding organization: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung
Kristian Franze is one of the world’s leading scientists investigating the impact of mechanics on the nervous system and he has had a decisive influence on this growing research field. He has demonstrated that nerve cells are not only crucially influenced by chemical signals but also by mechanical forces. At FAU, he is set to introduce concepts from physics into medical research, creating a globally-unique interdisciplinary centre combining both research fields. As a Humboldt professor, Franze is Director of the Institute of Medical Physics and Micro Tissue Technology at FAU. At the same time, he is a member of the Executive Board of the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin.