German delegation (from left) Ulrike Franz, Florian Ettlinger, and Anna Taranko with UQ representative Reinhard Flessner (third from left). Photo: Jugend Forscht.
German delegation (from left) Ulrike Franz, Florian Ettlinger, and Anna Taranko with UQ representative Reinhard Flessner (third from left). Photo: Jugend Forscht.
24 May 2012

For the second year in a row UQ will have the pleasure of hosting three of Germany’s "best and brightest" young scientists.

Winners of the national Jugend Forscht science awards—Florian Ettlinger, Ulrike Franz and Anna Taranko— received month-long UQ scholarships for their remarkable projects.

Florian (18) won the prize for physics with a project on the Flettner Rotor, an early 20th century power machine designed for ships.

Ulrike (19) and Anna (18) presented a chemistry project on the poisonous effects of consuming the "Schopftling" mushroom with alcohol, using a novel enzymic analysis as demonstration.

UQ representative Reinhard Flessner described the prize-giving ceremony as "impressive" with “more than 1000 guests, young researchers and representatives from industry, politics and academia” in attendance.

“I think [the event] has reaffirmed our exceptional standing not only within Jugend Forscht but also with all the representatives from politics and industry who enquired about UQ.”

Jugend Forscht is Germany’s largest youth science competition.

Established in 1965 it has more than 10,000 entrants each year. Participants must be between 15 and 21 years old to enter.

Media: Elspeth Muir, Communications Officer, UQ International Ph 3346 7672, e.muir@uq.edu.au