Sandra Schwarz Wins the 3rd Annual FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix!
On October 21, nine researchers from the nine member universities of the FORTHEM alliance competed at the University of Opole (Poland) in the international finals of the 3rd FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix.
From theater to green hydrogen to neuroscience, the finalists demonstrated that it is possible to transform complex research topics into captivating stories accessible to everyone. Sandra Anna Schwarz, a researcher at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz (Germany), proved most compelling to the international jury and the audience, winning the competition.
Research Made Accessible
The FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix is more than just a competition: it is a genuine opportunity for these young researchers to showcase their work, hone their scientific communication skills, and build connections across national and disciplinary boundaries.
The various topics presented during the finals illustrate the richness of the alliance’s universities:
- Healthy aging
- Detecting bacterial toxins using gold
- Success in international cooperation
- Regenerative medicine, chemistry, political science, and the performing arts.
A Winner with an International Flavor
Sandra Anna Schwarz focuses her research on personalized treatment for depression. Her work is based on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive brain stimulation technique, combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). By analyzing how different brain regions respond to the stimulation, she aims to make treatments more effective and personalized.
This victory in Opole holds special significance for her: born in Poland, she later lived in Australia, studied in the Netherlands, and now practices in Germany. For her, this competition marked a symbolic return to her homeland.
“It was an incredible experience. Over the past few days, I’ve learned so much from the other participants… Having the opportunity to share our research in this way is exactly what I love to do.”
She also emphasized the importance of raising awareness about research that affects so many people: “Depression affects so many people that practically everyone knows someone who’s struggling with it. That’s why I wanted to show why our work matters.”
More Than Just a Competition: A European Community
Beyond the award won by Sandra Schwarz, the event celebrated all nine finalists who represented excellence in research within the FORTHEM alliance. Congratulations to Leya Liu, representing the Université Bourgogne Europe, and to the seven other finalists: Ådne Ausland (University of Agder), Federico Piccolo (University of Palermo), Marta Arnal Forné (University of Valencia), Weronika Koston (University of Opole), Rakesh Gowdihalli Nagarajappa (University of Jyväskylä), Dan Boldea (Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu), Aija Makovska (University of Latvia)
This event reaffirms the commitment of the FORTHEM alliance and its members to research and to supporting young European researchers through collaboration, the sharing of experiences, and engagement with society.
