Wilhelm Exner Medals 2021 go to Katalin Karikó and Luisa Torsi

“With Luisa Torsi and Katalin Karikó, the Wilhelm Exner Medal will be awarded to two outstanding researchers who, in keeping with Exner’s spirit, have triggered decisive industrial and commercial developments with their findings, inspired entrepreneurial activity and created an immanent social benefit,” reads Secretary General Stephan Blahut the jury’s decision for 2021.

The award of the medal is only made on the proposal of the previous medal holders and is determined in a secret session of the jury chaired by the former chairman of the Rectors’ Conference, Hans Sünkel.

“When the medal was awarded in 1921, the focus was on promoting the common good, industry, trade and commerce on the basis of scientific knowledge. Today, 100 years later, we can look at a fascinating and long list of 240 women and men who have been inventors, designers, chemists, physicists or biologists, including 23 Nobel Prize winners.”

All of the honourees more than live up to Exner’s claim. The potential of their research has led to countless company foundations, products and applications. Much can be expected in the coming years,” Blahut concludes the announcement and invites people to participate in the Exner Week events surrounding the award ceremony on 24 November 2021 at the Foundation’s headquarters, Palais Eschenbach, in Vienna.