Würzburg Award for Research and Transfer presented to winner
14.11.2024
The Würzburg Award for Research and Transfer was presented for the first time on Wednesday, November 13 in the city’s Neubaukirche church during the annual festive concert put on by Würzburg University Association of Friends and Patrons (Universitätsbund Würzburg). An interdisciplinary research team from Würzburg University and University Hospital that is currently developing a prototype to improve the detection of precancerous bowel lesions was handed the 50,000 euros in prize money from Dr. Manfred Wittenstein.
Professor Andreas Nüchter (Dean of Studies, Computer Science XVII, Robotics), Professor Frank Puppe (Head of Chair, Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Systems) and Joel Troya (Research Engineer Gastroenterology, InExEn Team, Würzburg University Hospital) were selected over numerous other applicants – both individuals and teams of several scientists – in recognition of a medical project which aims to improve the detection of precancerous bowel lesions in the context of preventive colonoscopic screening. The colonoscopy is carried out using a prototype that provides images from two additional, lateral micro cameras for analysis by an artificial intelligence. If a polyp is discovered, the person conducting the examination receives an alert to more closely investigate the corresponding area of the mucous membrane. This system could allow up to 30 percent more accurate early detection of polyps and help prevent colorectal (bowel) cancer – meaning the patient’s chances of recovery are increased in the long term.
In recognition of commitment to society’s well-being
The aim of the award is to promote scientific projects, experiments, concepts, models, programs or inventions in the early stages of development that could trigger sustainable changes in areas such as technology, medicine, culture, business or politics. The prize money must moreover be adequate to take the project to the next stage of development, in other words to bring about a positive change in current or future society. “We’re celebrating a world premiere, as it were, with the Würzburg Award for Research and Transfer and presenting the most highly endowed prize in the history of the Würzburg University Association of Friends and Patrons. And when you consider that we only actually explored the possibilities for this award together with the Wittenstein Foundation in summer this year, that’s amazingly fast by German standards. I firmly believe that this spirit will spill over to our winning team and that we’ll soon be in a position to celebrate our first successes with the prototype,” commented Dr. Gunther Schunk, who chairs the Association, at the award ceremony.
Award to be established as an annual event
The new “Würzburg Award for Research and Transfer”, conferred by the Wittenstein Foundation and the JMU (Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg) Association of Friends and Patrons supports outstanding, interdisciplinary research with high potential benefits for society. In the future, the award – worth 50,000 euros – will be presented annually for innovative research projects undertaken at JMU. The intention is to generate significant leverage effects for high-caliber transfer projects from an early stage and assist them in gaining visibility in the battle for long-term, high-volume funding.
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Dr. Manfred Wittenstein (right) presented the 1st Würzburg Award for Research and Transfer to an interdisciplinary research team from Würzburg University and University Hospital (from left to right): Dr. Gunther Schunk (Chairman of Würzburg University Association of Friends and Patrons), Professor Andreas Nüchter (Dean of Studies, Computer Science XVII, Robotics), Professor Frank Puppe (Head of Chair, Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Systems) and Joel Troya (Research Engineer Gastroenterology, InExEn Team, Würzburg University Hospital).
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