Together with DZL Chairman Prof. Werner Seeger and the other DZL Executive Board members Prof. Klaus Rabe and Prof. Tobias Welte,
Prof. Erika von Mutius received this year’s internationally renowned Balzan Prize. The commitee honors the outstanding performance in “Pathophysiology of respiration: from basic research to the bedside”. With innovative research, the DZL team is developing new therapies to improve the quality of life for patients with lung diseases, the foundation commented. The DZL is also creating new paths for future generations of scientists.
The prize is endowed with a total of around 680,000 euros, making it one of the world's most highly endowed awards in the fields of science and culture. The winners are invited to spend half of the prize money on research projects of young scientists.
Erika von Mutius commented: „To be awarded the Balzan Prize is a very special honor for me and at the same time all the scientists at the German Center for Lung Research. I am very pleased that our efforts and successes in researching and combating lung diseases now have received such high recognition and appreciation.”
The international Balzan Prize Foundation honors outstanding researchers, scientists or artists every year with four different prizes. The award disciplines change annually – from humanities, social sciences and art to physics, mathematics, nature sciences and medicine. The aim of the Balzan Prizes is to promote culture, science, and remarkable initiatives for humanity, peace and fraternity regardless of nationality, race or religion. The prize is awarded in an international competition with a global call for papers supervised by a committee of highly qualified experts.