“They still exist: the good news,” said Matthias Fontaine, Chairman of the Fritz Behrens Foundation, at the ceremony held in honour of Prof. Schulz at the MHH in April. Prof Schulz was awarded the prestigious Fritz Behrens Foundation Science Prize for his life’s work, which focussed on cancer-causing viruses in humans.
In his words, Matthias Fontaine emphasised that the cooperation between the foundation and MHH was bearing fruit. The Fritz Behrens Foundation from Hanover has been supporting people in difficult life situations for more than 100 years and promotes social commitment, culture and research in line with the founder’s motto “Committed to people, committed to progress”. It has also supported numerous projects at the MHH for many years, including the establishment of a trauma outpatient clinic and the skin bank. Every two years, the foundation awards the 30,000 euro science prize.
In his laudatory speech, RESIST Speaker Prof. Förster called Professor Schulz a “pioneer of virology who has advanced the understanding of herpes viruses – and that as a lateral entrant!” After all, Professor Schulz had worked as a specialist in medical microbiology, virology, infection epidemiology and in the field of research into the complement system, a part of innate immunity, before devoting himself to virology. In this field, research into the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus has been at the centre of his scientific interest for the last thirty years.
“I feel very honoured to receive this award,” said Professor Schulz, who vividly explained his field of research in his lecture. Matthias Fontaine then presented him with the award in the presence of former MHH President Prof. Dr. Michael Manns, who represented MHH President Prof. Dr. Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner.
The photo shows (from left) Professor Förster, Professor Schulz, Matthias Fontaine and Professor Manns in lecture theatre H at the MHH.