FameLab Dresden 2026

The FameLab preliminary round, held on 6 May 2026 at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, once again put research in the spotlight. From 6 pm, more than 120 guests enjoyed a varied stage programme in which young scientists presented their research topics in a clear, creative and entertaining way in just three minutes.

In 2026, Dresden was once again proud to host a regional round – alongside Bremerhaven, Bielefeld, Karlsruhe and Regensburg.

The aim of this international competition format is to convey complex scientific content in a clear and entertaining way. PowerPoint presentations are strictly forbidden – instead, what counts is specialist knowledge, creativity and the ability to captivate the audience.

These nine participants impressed with creative ideas on the following topics:

• Tanzila Nurjahan (TUD/HZDR): Breaching the barrier of nuclear waste management
• Priyal Dadhich (HZDR): Single-atom devices for quantum technology
• Maria Pavlou (TUD): Treating retinal degeneration: a transplantation approach
• Lisa Nucke (HZDR): Does radioactivity make microbes sweat?
• Moksh Bhateja (MPI-PKS): Quantum spins in a nutshell
• Maud Zilbermann (HZDR): Radioanalytical chemistry for the decommissioning of nuclear power plants
• Berthy Kpiebaya (UNU-FLORES): The Hidden Life of Your Old Phone: Who Really Pays the Price?
• Artem Govorukhin (HZDR): No Oxygen + FLASH = Bye-Bye, Tumour!
• Ursa Ursic (MPI-CBG/ TUD): How to be in the right place at the right time? A story of a dividing embryo.

The jury accompanied the evening with a wealth of experience, curiosity and enthusiasm. The jury included Marion Schmidt, Chief Communication Officer (CCO) at Dresden University of Technology, Prof. Dr Silke Geithner, Chair of the Rectors’ Conference of the Church-Affiliated Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany (RKHD), Prof. Gianaurelio Cuniberti, Professor of Materials Science and Nanotechnology at Dresden University of Technology, and Prof. Stefan Diez, Professor of BioNano Tools at Dresden University of Technology.

Artem Govorukhin secured the evening’s victory with his presentation “No Oxygen + FLASH = Bye-Bye, Tumour!”. In addition to the jury prize, he also won the audience prize. Second place went to Ursa Ursic with her presentation “How to be at the right place just in time? A story of a dividing embryo”.

With this result, both are now through to the final of FameLab Germany 2026, which will take place on 1 July 2026 at the Rudolf-Oetker-Halle. It is there that the decision will be made as to who will represent Germany at the international FameLab competition. In addition to qualifying for the German final, the winners will also receive prize money and professional coaching from the National Institute for Science Communication.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for Artem Govorukhin and Ursa Ursic for the final in Bielefeld!

• Tanzila Nurjahan (TUD/HZDR): Breaking through the barriers of nuclear waste management
• Priyal Dadhich (HZDR): Single-atom devices for quantum technology
• Maria Pavlou (TUD): Treating retinal degeneration: a transplantation approach
• Lisa Nucke (HZDR): Does radioactivity make microbes sweat?
• Moksh Bhateja (MPI-PKS): Quantum spins in a nutshell
• Maud Zilbermann (HZDR): Radioanalytical chemistry for the decommissioning of nuclear power stations
• Berthy Kpiebaya (UNU-FLORES): The Hidden Life of Your Old Phone: Who Really Pays the Price?
• Artem Govorukhin (HZDR): No Oxygen + FLASH = Bye-Bye, Tumour!
• Ursa Ursic (MPI-CBG/ TUD): How to be in the right place at just the right time? A story of a dividing embryo.