Falling Walls Science Summit - Embracing innovation
World
Cem Özdemir was the chief guest for Science Breakthrough of the Year award ceremony
(Web Desk) - The Falling Walls Foundation organised its annual three-day science summit from Nov 7 to 9 in which people from several walks of life participated.
The theme of the event centred around groundbreaking research by notable experts from across the globe, with the aim of acknowledging their stellar work.
Newly-appointed German Federal Minister of Education and Research Cem Özdemir was the chief guest for the Science Breakthrough of the Year award ceremony.
Speaking to the participants in the ceremony, the federal minister lauded the event organisers while recalling the Fall of Berlin Wall.
“We need scientific breakthroughs and innovations to tackle global challenges. That’s why I am particularly pleased that my first official engagement as Federal Minister of Education and Research takes place at the Falling Walls Science Summit on this historic 9 November.
"Thirty-five years ago, courageous people brought down the Berlin Wall, paving the way for reunification. Research knows no walls; it connects people across borders. Especially in these times, it is more important than ever to seek what unites us - both here at home and globally,” said Federal Minister Özdemir.
“With openness, exchange, and international collaboration, science and research provide solutions for a better future. Of course, this also requires strong connections to the economy and society. Germany - and the Falling Walls Science Summit - are excellent places to foster these connections. I am particularly excited to see so many young researchers from around the world here in our capital. We need their courage, optimism, and fresh ideas,” Özdemir added.
Jürgen Mlynek, Chair of the Falling Walls Foundation Board of Trustees thanked the federal minister for paying a visit to the event by saying, “It is a great honour to welcome Mr. Özdemir as the new Federal Minister of Education and Research to Falling Walls. His decision to visit us so soon after taking office highlights the importance of international exchange between science, business, politics, and society.”
The Falling Walls Foundation awarded the final three titles for the Science Breakthrough of the Year 2024 on the last day of the event.
The award winners were Apple Pui Yi Chui (Science Engagement), Constadina Rogers (Emerging Talents) and ActiTrexx (Science Start-Ups).
The Summit programme was also available online via livestream at falling-walls.com/science-summit/
Earlier on the first day of the event, the Falling Walls Foundation awarded the last three "Science Breakthrough of the Year" titles.
The participants in the categories of Science Engagement, Science Start-Ups and Emerging Talents presented their projects live in front of the jury at the summit.
In the Science Engagement (Falling Walls Engage) category, awards were given to projects that promote the transfer and co-creation of scientific knowledge, foster two-way Science Engagement and actively involve society in scientific processes.
During Pitch Day, 21 Falling Walls Engage participants from 15 countries presented their projects. This year, Apple Pui Yi Chui received the main title for her project, “Breaking the Wall to Engage Schools in Coral Restoration”. The Coral Nursery Education Programme, launched in 2020 in partnership with the Hong Kong SAR Government, involves students in coral restoration by transforming schools into nurseries.
In the Science Start-Ups category (Falling Walls Venture), ActiTrexx was awarded the main prize in the Science Start-Ups category. The company has successfully treated its first patient with Actileucel, a pioneering cell therapy designed to prevent Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) after stem cell transplantation.
ActiTrexx is developing a platform of patent-protected cellular and biologic therapies that target the root causes of overshooting immune responses. This approach aims to reduce the need for immunosuppressants, offering new hope for patients. This year, 25 start-ups presented their projects from 12 countries at the Summit.
In the Emerging Talents category (Falling Walls Lab), the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year was awarded to students and early-career professionals for their innovative ideas. As many as 100 participants from 58 countries got to present their ideas in front of a distinguished jury.
This year’s laureates were Constadina Rogers with "Breaking The Wall of Plastic Accumulation" (University of Dalhousie, CA), Pewee Kolubah with "Breaking The Wall of Accessible Electricity" (KAUST, SA) and Netanel Loyfer with "Breaking The Wall of Cell-Free DNA" (Hebru University of Jerusalem, IL).
The event concluded with renewed dedication to make people’s lives easier, with reliance on stellar scientific research done by ambitious people in their respective fields.
