Prof. Dr. Robert Zeiser to receive the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize 2025 for his outstanding research in hematology and immunology. 

Prof. Dr. Robert Zeiser, a member of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Freiburg and research group leader at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, is being awarded the most prestigious German research prize, the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize 2025. This was announced by the German Research Foundation (DFG) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Prof. Zeiser is one of ten prizewinners this year. 

The prize is endowed with 2.5 million Euros. For many years, Prof. Zeiser has been researching how stem cell transplants in cancer therapy can be made safer and more effective. His research has already led to specific new cancer therapies.

“I am overjoyed to receive the award. My goal is to make a real difference for cancer patients with my research,” Prof. Zeiser says. ”This award is both an incentive and an acknowledgement. It shows that our research is highly relevant.”

Significant improvements in stem cell transplants

Robert Zeiser and his team are shedding light on the complex interactions that occur after stem cell transplants, which are the last resort for treating various cancers. In a large proportion of patients, interactions with the donor's immune cells lead to dangerous acute or chronic rejection reactions. Prof. Zeiser has deciphered the mechanisms of this graft-versus-host reaction, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches. In particular, the development and clinical introduction of Janus kinase inhibitors has opened up new prospects for patients: survival rates have increased and the side effects of transplants have been significantly reduced. His patients at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF) at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg are already benefiting from this. Prof. Zeiser's team has also shown ways to increase the effectiveness of cancer therapy using so-called CAR-T cells while at the same time reducing inflammatory reactions in the brain.

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein, rector of the University of Freiburg, states, “We are very happy for and with Robert Zeiser that his outstanding scientific achievements are being honored with the Leibniz Prize 2025. His cutting-edge research is enabling enormous advances in cancer therapies – and exemplifies our claim as the University of Freiburg: that we are developing crucial contributions to overcoming pressing social challenges. My warmest congratulations to Robert Zeiser on receiving Germany's most prestigious research award!”

Over the past 20 years, Prof. Zeiser has contributed to around 300 scientific publications. He is a member of the Cluster of Excellence CIBSS – Centre for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies at the University of Freiburg and, since 2021, spokesperson of the Collaborative Research Center SFB1479 OncoEscape at the University of Freiburg. Also in 2021, he received the Cancer Award of the German Cancer Society. Since 2023, he has been funded by an ERC Advanced Grant.

Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Medical Faculty of the University of Freiburg, expresses “My warmest congratulations to Robert Zeiser on this award, which confirms the very high quality of his medical research in Freiburg. His continuous excellent research achievements in a wide range of fields are impressive.”

Prof. Dr. Robert Zeiser (48), a native of Freiburg, studied medicine at the University of Freiburg, Tel Aviv University in Israel and the University of South Florida in Tampa, USA. After a research stay at Stanford University, USA, Zeiser habilitated in 2010 and became a senior physician at the Department of Medicine I (Specialties: Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation) at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. In 2013, he received a Heisenberg professorship, and he has been heading the section of tumor immunology since 2019.

“Robert Zeiser is a prime example of university medicine. He works at the highest scientific level, spanning the spectrum from basic research to patient care. His discoveries have significantly expanded the therapeutic options in cancer medicine,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. ”This interaction between cutting-edge research and clinical work is an integral part of our Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg. This means that our patients always benefit from the latest research findings.”

About the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize

The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize is the most important research funding prize in Germany. It is awarded to outstanding researchers who, at the current stage of their scientific career, have already achieved excellent fundamental results in their research areas and are expected to have a lasting impact on the research landscape in Germany. The aim of the Leibniz program is to improve their working conditions and expand their research opportunities.