The OIST community extends warm congratulations to President Gruss for receiving this esteemed award.
The Max Planck Society, Germany’s most successful research organization, has awarded OIST President Peter Gruss with the Harnack medal, their highest honor. This medal is given to those who have served society.
President Gruss, an internationally recognized researcher in gene regulation and embryonic development, is being awarded for his pivotal work as President of the Max Planck Society from 2002 to 2014. During this time, he helped Max Planck to step decisively into the modern and international world. Some of President Gruss’s achievements at Max Planck include introducing the Perspectives Committee and the Perspectives Council on strategic research forecast, and founding new Max Planck Centers and other institutes abroad. He also aided in expanding the International Max Planck Research Schools, which are dedicated to supporting young researchers, and he established the Max Planck Foundation, which helps private donors to support the Society.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award from the Max Planck Society, and proud to have served this highly influential organization, with a mission to drive the world’s scientific research forward, as its president for twelve years.”
President Gruss is the 35th recipient of the medal since its commencement in 1924 by Adolf von Harnack, pioneer of the predecessor organization to the Max Planck Society. The award was presented to President Gruss by his successor President Martin Stratmann. In addition to other Max Planck Society presidents, this medal has also been awarded to German Federal Presidents Theodor Heuss, Heinrich Lübke, and Richard von Weizäcker.
