Prof. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann receives the highest award in the field of plasma medicine research from the International Society for Plasma Medicine.
ZIK "plasmatis" young researcher Dr Malte Hammer honoured with the "Early Career Presentation Award" for his presentation of his scientific work.
Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Director of the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in Greifswald, has been honoured with the Plasma Medicine Award in Japan. It is the highest award in the field of plasma medicine research, presented by the International Society for Plasma Medicine (ISPM). Prof. Weltmann received the award at the 5th International Congress on Plasma Medicine (ICPM), which brought together over 360 scientists and physicians from 30 nations in Nara (Japan) last week. The acting president of the International Society for Plasma Medicine, Jean-Michel Pouvesle from France, had words of praise for the Greifswald scientist. Weltmann has promoted basic research in the field of plasma medicine and the transfer of science into practice with great personal commitment. Research at the INP in the field of plasma medicine has reached world-class level within a very short time.
Last year, the Leibniz Institute in Greifswald made a significant mark. The INP's basic research in collaboration with Unimedizin Greifswald, Charité Berlin and several industrial partners led to the successful introduction of "kinpen MED" – the world's first plasma jet approved for use on patients. Plasma, an ionised, cold gas that can kill pathogens and stimulate cell healing processes, has begun its triumphant advance in Greifswald. The "kinpen MED" is used in clinics and practices to improve the healing of chronic wounds. Prof. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann said he considered the highest award from the young international society ISPM, which was founded in 2009, to be a "great honour". But above all, he sees it as recognition of the work of the INP staff. "When we decided eight years ago to bring together the traditionally strong fields of plasma physics and medicine, the new field of plasma medicine was still in its infancy. This award shows that our decision was the right one," emphasised Prof. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann. He added: "Today, Greifswald is associated worldwide with plasma research and plasma medicine." Thanks to the continuous support of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the state and the city, the INP Greifswald has grown into an internationally competitive location.
He was particularly pleased that two of the six awards presented to young scientists went to two more winners from Greifswald. Dr Malte U. Hammer (INP Greifswald / ZIK plasmatis) and Kim Rouven Liedtke, doctoral student at the Clinic and Polyclinic for Surgery at Greifswald University Hospital, were honoured in Japan for the presentation of their scientific work.
