Meike N. Leiske’s research addresses a key challenge in modern polymer chemistry: understanding and specifically controlling interactions between polymer materials and biological systems. Her work helps to elucidate the structure-property relationships of biomedically relevant polymers, which have often been poorly understood to date, according to the GDCh press release. At the same time, she links fundamental scientific questions with specific fields of application, thereby making an important contribution to the development of next-generation responsive materials.
The Advisory Board of the Georg Manecke Foundation highlighted not only the scientific quality of her research but also the breadth of her work and her commitment to the scientific community.
“I am delighted to have been awarded the Georg Manecke Research Prize. For me, it is a great recognition of the work carried out by my team and our research into functional polymer materials. Our aim is to gain a better understanding of the interactions between polymers and biological systems, thereby developing new materials for biomedical and sustainable applications. The prize encourages us to continue along this path,” says Leiske.
The award ceremony will take place on 9 October 2026 as part of the Polydays at the University of Potsdam. The Georg Manecke Award is worth 15,000 euros and is supplemented by additional project funding of 10,000 euros.
Since December 2022, Meike N. Leiske has been an assistant professor of Sustainable and Functional Polymer Systems at the University of Bayreuth. Prior to this, she held research posts in Australia and Belgium, amongst other places.
