Dear reader,

“Dare to wonder” – according to the molecular biologist, Dana Branzei, this is a feature that distinguishes Humboldt Professors in particular. And since the award ceremony in May, she is now one of them.

It is precisely what we need if we are to find solutions to the diverse challenges of our times: people like our sponsorship recipients who question the status quo, whether we are thinking of artificial intelligence, social interaction or protecting biodiversity.

The latter is the field addressed by this year’s Konrad Adenauer Research Award winner, the Canadian ecologist, Marie-Josée Fortin. Her work is generating new approaches to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Read all about it and more in this newsletter!