Andreas Tünnermann honoured with the Federal Cross of Merit

Andreas Tünnermann, Director of the Institute of Applied Physics at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, was awarded the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on 7 May 2024 for his scientific and social commitment.

The Order of Merit, also known colloquially as the Federal Cross of Merit, is the highest recognition awarded by the Federal Republic of Germany for services to the common good. It is awarded for political, economic-social and intellectual achievements. On behalf of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the official presentation of the insignia was made by Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow in Weimar.

"Prof. Dr Tünnermann is not only an outstanding researcher, but also a role model for future generations of scientists", said the Minister President. "He has made a significant contribution to making Germany a leading location for research and innovation in the area of photonics and quantum technologies. And he has improved the framework conditions for securing and further advancing one of the most important Centres of the optical industry in the Federal Republic of Germany."

For Andreas Tünnermann, the award is a special recognition: "It is a great honour and an extraordinary sign of appreciation for me to be recognised with such a high award. With this special honour, I also see recognition of numerous people who have inspired and supported me in the development and implementation of ideas in research and teaching. My sincere thanks go to them."

The award was made in overall recognition of his achievements in research and science, including his success in acquiring third-party funding, academic publications and supervised qualification theses. Prof. Tünnermann's successes in the development of international degree programmes and his commitment to political advisory services and scientific network development in Germany as a research location were also taken into account.

Internationally renowned researcher and science manager

Andreas Tünnermann External linkdiscovered his passion for lasers while studying physics in Hanover. He quickly became head of the development department at the Hanover Laser Centre after completing his doctorate in 1992. It was the start of a career that he continued in Thuringia from 1998. Here in Jena, he acquired the title of Professor of Applied Physics and with it the directorship of the Institute of Applied Physics at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. In 2003, he also took over the management of the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF.

Innovation and groundbreaking research characterise Andreas Tünnermann's work. Numerous pioneering projects were initiated under his leadership. The main focus was on practical applications in the areas of Medicine, Communications and Industry.

Particular milestones in his career were the founding and establishment of the Abbe School of Photonics and the Max Planck School of Photonics. Here, young talents from all over the world receive a first-class education and research opportunities in the area of photonics. Prof Tünnermann has paved the way for a large number of young researchers to enter science: to date, he has supervised a total of six postdoctoral lecturing qualifications, almost 120 doctorates and over 100 Diplom, Bachelor's and Master's dissertations.

Quantum communication as a secure form of data exchange in the digital society of the future is another field that Andreas Tünnermann wants to establish. With his research, he is making a significant contribution to helping the technology achieve a breakthrough. His expertise has therefore been incorporated into the Federal Ministry of Education and Research's agenda for photonics and quantum systems.

As a member of the Federal Chancellery's Expert Council on Quantum Computing and the Scientific and Technical Council of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Tünnermann continues to champion the complex scientific cause and actively contributes to making Germany a leading location for research and innovation in the area of photonics and quantum technologies.

In 2011, Andreas Tünnermann received the Order of Merit of the Free State of Thuringia. The European Research Council (ERC) also honoured him with an ERC Advanced Grant in 2015 and the German Research Foundation awarded him the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize in 2005.

Honour also for Hans-Reiner Figulla from Medicine

Prof. iR Dr Hans-Reiner FigullaExternal link was also awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on 7 May. The internist was appointed Professor of Internal Medicine with a focus on cardiology, angiology and intensive care medicine at Jena University Hospital in 1997, where he worked until his retirement in 2015.

In addition to research, teaching and patient care, Figulla also developed the "JenaValve" a heart valve, which is now used in clinical departments around the world. The CE admission required in Europe for the heart valve from Thuringia has been in place since 2011. The clinical departments' team was supported in the development of the heart valve by the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Jena. Another example of the good cooperation between University Medicine and the institutes and industry in Jena is the development of the "Figulla occluder". This catheter-guided occluder can be used to close holes in the septum of the heart. The physician is also a permanent promoter of democracy and civil courage, of which the Charlotte Figulla Prize, named after his late daughter and awarded annually since 2004, is an outstanding example.

Prof. Hans-Reiner Figulla (l.) with the Federal Cross of Merit next to Minister President Bodo Ramelow.

Image: Jacob Schröter/TSK