This year’s SCALE-it Best PhD Award ceremony was a vibrant celebration of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Together, we recognized the remarkable achievements of early-career researchers who are shaping the future of science. The event was expertly hosted by SCALE-it spokesperson Prof. Dr. Michaela Müller-McNicoll, who guided us through an inspiring and memorable program.
From groundbreaking interdisciplinary research to pioneering method development, this year’s awardees — Dr. Jakob M. Silberberg (Best Interdisciplinary Work), Dr. Olivia Pfeil-Gardiner (Best Method Development), and Dr. Huaipeng Xing (Best Scientific Contribution) — set a new benchmark for excellence. Chosen from a truly exceptional pool of nominees, their work reflects the very best of our academic community.
It was an honor to welcome keynote speakers Prof. Dr. Phillip Stansfeld and Dr. Christoph Spahn, who shared powerful insights, discoveries, and reflections on scientific milestones. Prof. Dr. Inga Hänelt, Prof. Dr. Martin Beck, and Dr. Bonnie Murphy added a personal touch as laudatores, highlighting each nominee’s journey with warmth and insight.
Our sincere appreciation goes to all presenters, organizers, and participants — whether on stage, behind the scenes, or on the dance floor, you brought energy and spirit that made this celebration truly unforgettable.
A special mention goes to Prof. Dr. Mike Heilemann and Prof. Dr. Roberto Covino, whose skilled moderation brought dynamism and variety to the event, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
We also want to acknowledge the incredible efforts of all nominees and their supervisors. The selection process was anything but easy, reflecting the exceptionally high quality and caliber of the submissions.
As we look toward the SCALE-it Best PhD Award 2026, we’re excited to meet the next wave of exceptional talent.
Together, we are building a lasting tradition of excellence — one that celebrates and empowers the future leaders of science.
The Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) center SCALE-it is a joint initiative of Goethe University Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS). It offers a diverse program of thematic and methodological events, lectures, and workshops. Additional support includes professional development seminars, funding for conferences and research stays, PhD and postdoc symposia, and personalized career coaching.
Photo by Uwe Dettmar – From left to right: Dr. Christoph Spahn, Dr. Bonnie Murphy, Dr. Huaipeng Xing, Prof. Dr. Michaela Müller-McNicoll, Prof. Dr. Inga Hänelt, Prof. Dr. Martin Beck, Prof. Dr. Phillip Stansfeld, and Dr. Jakob Silberberg.
