29 June 2026
Atmospheric chemist Dr. Eva Pfannerstill from Forschungszentrum Jülich has been elected to Die Junge Akademie. Membership in this academy for outstanding young academics is one of the most prestigious honours for young scientists in the German-speaking world. It brings together outstanding researchers from various disciplines to explore issues of the future within science and society. For Pfannerstill, becoming a member marks another significant achievement in an exceptionally successful year.
Pfannerstill was nominated for membership by the Chair of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich, Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht. Her admission to the academy recognizes her scientific achievements in the field of atmospheric chemistry and climate research.
Eva Pfannerstill combines scientific excellence with a clear focus on socially relevant issues. Her research improves our understanding of the effects of air pollution and climate change and helps to develop effective solutions for a healthier environment. I am delighted that her commitment is now being recognized through her election to Die Junge Akademie. This honour reflects her outstanding scientific development and will provide important momentum for her continued successful career.
Research for better air quality and a better understanding of climate change
At the Institute of Climate and Energy Systems - Troposphere (ICE-3) at Forschungszentrum Jülich and at the University of Cologne, Pfannerstill investigates how climate change and air quality influence each other. Her research focuses on trace gases like hydrocarbons, which react in the atmosphere to form air pollutants such as ozone and fine particulate matter. Using innovative measurement techniques, she records how emissions evolve under changing climatic conditions and how these give rise to pollutants that are harmful to health. To do this, she combines controlled measurements in climate chambers with measurements under real-world conditions - for example, during field campaigns on the ground or in the air, including using a research zeppelin. A measurement campaign using the airship is planned for August.
The results provide a vital basis for policy decisions and measures to improve air quality. They help to predict air pollution more accurately, assess health risks more effectively, and improve the quality of life in cities. A key focus of her current work is understanding how forests under climate stress influence atmospheric chemistry and air quality.
Multi-award-winning early-career scientist
Pfannerstill has already received several awards this year for her research. Just recently, she was presented with the Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award 2026 in Atmospheric Sciences by the European Geosciences Union (EGU) - one of the most prestigious European awards for early-career scientists in the geosciences. The EGU paid tribute to her contributions to atmospheric chemistry, particularly to our understanding of the reactivity of hydroxyl radicals and ozone formation. Hydroxyl radicals are regarded as the "detergent of the atmosphere", as they break down numerous pollutants and thus have a significant influence on the composition of the air.
At the beginning of 2026, she was also elected to Die Junge Akademie | Mainz.
Science in dialogue with society
Die Junge Akademie is jointly supported by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. During her five-year membership, Eva Pfannerstill will contribute her expertise not only to climate and atmospheric research, but also to the interdisciplinary dialogue between science, politics, and society. Her membership allows her to engage more strongly in public debate on scientific findings and to actively shape research.
