Associate Professor Katharina Richter has been named the first Early Career Research Ambassador for the Australia-Germany Research Network (AGRN).
Credit: University of Adelaide.
A University of Adelaide biomedical researcher who is fighting one of the greatest global threats to human health has been named the first Early Career Research Ambassador for the Australia-Germany Research Network (AGRN).
Associate Professor Katharina Richter was selected for the inaugural award, which recognises scientists who have demonstrated applaudable achievements in German-Australian research partnerships. Since 2019, Associate Professor Richter has been working with the University of Freiburg on potential solutions to help in the battle against superbugs. She's also partnered with German company Plasmatreat to develop a multi-purpose antimicrobial liquid which could potentially be used as an egg sanitiser for the food industry and an antibiotic-free treatment for chronic wounds.
"It is an honor to be named the first Early Career Research Ambassador for the AGRN," said Associate Professor Richter who is from the University of Adelaide's Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing and Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research.
"The AGRN has been central to my academic journey, and I see the Ambassador role as an opportunity to give back by strengthening cross-border networks, mentoring others and accelerating joint innovation.
"With research, patents, students, startups, and trials all emerging from my Australia-Germany partnerships, I am ready to champion what is possible when two nations tackle global problems together."
Associate Professor Richter has co-authored 75% of her publications with German researchers and institutions. She currently serves as Theme Lead for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Adelaide-Freiburg Joint PhD Program, helping to shape the next generation of researchers who see Australia and Germany as one integrated opportunity.
The impact of Associate Professor Richter's work is reflected in a total of 12 major awards and accolades that she has received since 2022. These include the Women in MedTech Champion Award, Finalist for Life Scientist of the Year 2023, Finalist for the Prime Minister's Prize for Science (twice), and runner-up for a Eureka Prize, as well as being named as Discovery Award winner by media outlet InDaily in its Top 40 Under 40 awards.
