Walter Frei Prize 2025: Award for outstanding veterinary doctors!

Walter Frei Prize 2025: Award for outstanding veterinary doctors!

On June 26, 2025, Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Wolfgang Baumgärtner, PhD, awarded the Walter Frei Prize, awarded by the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich. This significant honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to international research on neuropathological diseases and animal models of zoonotic viral infections. The award ceremony took place as part of this year's Dies academicus ceremony to mark the 192nd birthday of the University of Zurich. In his laudatory speech, Dean praised Professor Dr. Roger Stephan describes Baumgärtner's diverse research areas, which include neuropathology, neuroimmunology and the study of viral diseases in animals.

Baumgärtner is known not only as a scientist, but also for his leadership in the field of veterinary pathology. He headed the Institute of Pathology at the Hannover Veterinary University Foundation from 2002 to 2023 and continues to be active as a senior scientist and pathologist. Over his career, he has published 631 scientific publications, is the editor of three major books on veterinary pathology, and has written reviews for more than 40 journals. His expertise also extends to coronavirus research and the pathogenesis of Coxiellaburnetii infections in marine mammals.

An outstanding career

Baumgärtner completed his studies in veterinary medicine at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen and received a DAAD scholarship for research work at the Ohio State University. After completing his doctorate at the Institute of Veterinary Pathology in Giessen and spending time in a small animal practice, he returned to Ohio to do his PhD work. His habilitation in general pathology and special pathological anatomy and histology of animals followed before he was appointed to the TiHo in 1995.

His professional career is characterized not only by academic success, but also by numerous awards, including an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Helsinki in March 2023. The Walter Frei Prize has been awarded every two to three years since 1979 to outstanding researchers who come from Switzerland, Austria, Germany, England, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland or Holland.

The integrative approach of “One Health”

Baumgärtner's work is in the context of the increasingly recognized “One Health” approach, which emphasizes the connections between the health of people, animals and the environment. According to the European Medicines Agency, 60 to 70 percent of emerging pathogens are of animal origin, highlighting the need to pursue interdisciplinary and integrative approaches. Such concepts are important not only for understanding the epidemiology of diseases such as the H1N1 pandemic, but also for combating antimicrobial resistance, which poses a serious threat to global health.

The challenges in the field of healthcare require a rethink. It is becoming increasingly clear that an integrated approach to health is necessary to address complex challenges in the context of ecosystems. The term “One Health” was coined by Calvin Schwabe in the 20th century and has evolved in recent decades into a vital concept that emphasizes the connections between ecosystems and health. Collaboration between medical and veterinary professionals is cited as the key to success.

Professor Baumgärtner's work, combined with the knowledge and approaches promoted by the integration of One Health, represents a valuable contribution to future health research. This not only promotes the health of animals and people, but also creates a better understanding of the complex relationships in social and ecological systems.