würzburg award
for research and transfer
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. The award, worth €50,000, was presented for the first time in November 2024.
The welfare and well-being of society and future generations on a technological, social, medical, cultural, economic or political level – the first “Würzburg Award for Research and Transfer” seeks to recognize precisely these virtues. In the future, the award 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.
award 2024
AI in colorectal cancer screening
The team of Prof. Dr Andreas Nüchter (Chair of Computer Science XVII, Robotics), Prof. Dr Frank Puppe (Chair of Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Systems) and Joel Troya (Research Engineer Gastroenterology, InExEn Team University Hospital Würzburg) came out on top among numerous applications from several scientists and individuals with a medical project.
It aims to better recognise precancerous bowel lesions during preventive colonoscopies. As part of the colonoscopy, a prototype is used that provides images from two additional lateral microcameras, which are analysed by an artificial intelligence system. If a polyp is detected, the person undergoing the examination receives a warning so that the corresponding area of the mucous membrane can be examined more closely. This system could increase the accuracy of early detection of polyps by up to 30 per cent and contribute to the prevention of bowel cancer - which in the long term increases patients' chances of recovery.
Award promotes innovative spirit, foresight and courage
The funded projects aim to improve human life with the help of innovative research at the highest level. The award-winning projects can be scientific transfer or transformation experiments as well as innovative concepts, models, programmes or inventions that have emerged from excellent scientific research at JMU and are used in society - in the region and beyond.
The projects are evaluated in terms of scientific innovation, social transformation and the effect of the investment: the prize money of €50,000 must be suitable for taking the project to the next stage of development - i.e. generate a positive change in defined problem areas of current or future society.