FAU Nobel Prize winners
Internationally acclaimed researchers at FAU
The Nobel Prize is widely regarded as the most prestigious award in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. Until now, four individuals who have spent time as researchers at FAU have been awarded the Nobel Prize – proof that FAU has a long history as one of the most successful universities in Germany.
Emil Fischer – Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1902
Nobel Prize winner Hermann Emil Fischer researched and taught at FAU from 1881 to 1888 when he was Professor of Chemistry. The University’s Emil Fischer Centre is named after him. He received many awards for his outstanding research on glucose, carbohydrates, enzymes, proteins and purines. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1902 for his work on the synthesis of glucose and purine.
Eduard Buchner – Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1907
Eduard Buchner received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1907 for his discovery of cell-free fermentation. Buchner completed his doctoral degree under the supervision of Prof. Theodor Curtis at FAU in 1888.
Arthur Harden – Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1929
Sir Arthur Harden was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1929. The panel awarded Sir Harden and his partner Hans Karl August Simon von Euler-Chelpin the prize for their research on the fermentation of sugar. Harden spent twelve months conducting research in Erlangen from 1887 to 1888.
Harald zur Hausen – Nobel Prize in Medicine 2008
Prof. Dr. Harald zur Hausen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2008 for his discovery of the human papillomavirus which can cause cervical cancer. He worked on the important basis for this discovery during his time at FAU when he was head of the Institute of Clinical Virology from 1972 to 1977. Professor zur Hausen maintained close ties with FAU after his departure and was a member of the University Council from 1998 to 2002. He became an honorary senator of FAU in 2002 and received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Medicine in 2005.
Images: Fischer, Buchner and Harden: Wikipedia; zur Hausen: FAU