Prof. Bea Latal and Prof. Magdalini Polymenidou have been awarded the 2014 Georg-Friedrich-Götz Prize. The prize consists of CHF 30’000 and is awarded each year for outstanding contributions to medical research.
Bea Latal received the prize for her work directed at prevention and intervention of development disorders in children with congenital heart defects and its influence on neurodevelopment. Her work enables the optimal therapeutic support for these children and young adults. Bea Latal is co-head of the department developmental pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital Zurich.
Magdalini Polymenidou’s research is focused on molecular mechanisms leading to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD). ALS affects motor neurons and leads to progressive paralysis, while FTLD leads to language and behavioral dysfunction. Her work significantly contributed to insights in the common underlying molecular mechanism of these two diseases involving RNA binding proteins TDP-43 and FUS/TLS.
The two ZNZ members received the awards at the Day of Clinical Research of the Center for Clinical Research by the President of the University of Zurich, Michael Hengartner.
Georg-Friedrich-Götz Foundation
Founded in 1964, the Georg-Friedrich-Götz Foundation aims at recognizing scientific and practical contributions in medical sciences by awarding prizes. More
Brochure of the Georg-Friedrich-Götz Foundation – Download pdf