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Lennart Nilsson Prize: Wuppertal researcher impresses with photography of diseases
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Ackermann from the University of Witten will receive the Lennart Nilsson Prize 2025 for significant research in scientific photography.
Lennart Nilsson Prize: Wuppertal researcher impresses with photography of diseases
On June 27, 2025, Prof. Dr. Maximilian Ackermann from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm was awarded the prestigious Lennart Nilsson Prize. This honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to... scientific photography in the medical field. Ackermann, pathologist and anatomist, works at several institutions, including the Helios University Hospital Wuppertal and the universities of Witten/Herdecke, RWTH Aachen and the Institute of Anatomy at the Mainz University Medical Center.
The prize, worth 120,000 Swedish kronor, is awarded annually for significant advances in scientific photography. Ackermann has used high-resolution technologies such as hierarchical phase contrast tomography (HiP-CT) and scanning electron microscopy in his research. These methods enable him to represent complex disease processes in three dimensions, for example cancer, Alzheimer's and lung diseases. His images that visualize inflammatory processes in human organs are particularly impressive.
Innovations in disease research
Ackermann's pioneering work is not only of scientific importance, but also of practical relevance to patient care. His approach combines basic research with clinical application, particularly when it comes to the formation of new blood vessels and their role in cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Examples of his scientific photography include stunning scanning electron microscopies detailing COVID-19 infections in human lungs, including analysis of inflammatory cells and other pathological changes.
The relevance of Ackermann's research becomes clear in light of recent studies on COVID-19 and neurodegenerative diseases. An observational study published in Nature Medicine, has found a striking link between COVID-19 and the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms have biomarkers associated with dementia, indicating an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The role of dementia research
In this context, the work of Assistant Prof. Dr. Michaela Defrancesco at the University Clinic for Neurology particularly important. She leads the dementia research team and focuses on neurocognitive disorders, particularly Alzheimer's. Her research examines both clinical and biological biomarkers that may serve as risk markers for Alzheimer's disease.
Particular attention is paid to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with dementia and their relatives. Defrancesco and her team are also conducting collaborations to analyze the connection between sleep changes and neurodegenerative diseases, further illustrating the complexity of the disease.
Current projects, such as the “Memory Mobile” or the “DeMig” study, aim to understand the impact of the pandemic on dementia patients and offer important insights into the care needs of this risk group.
The integrative approach to research by both Ackermann and Defrancesco demonstrates the interdisciplinary approach to complex health challenges and their impact on society. Given the challenges ahead in healthcare, their work is crucial.