Dr. med. Pia Kruse was awarded this year's Young Scientist Award at the 119th Annual Meeting of the Anatomical Society for her outstanding scientific achievements - the highest award for young scientists in this field.

In her work, Dr. Kruse investigates the mechanisms of lesion-induced plasticity in the central nervous system. She has been able to elucidate the fundamental processes by which synaptic adaptation reactions support the functional maintenance of neuronal networks after fiber tract loss. The focus is on local synaptic mechanisms that are coordinated via the protein synaptopodin and the spine apparatus. These findings make an important contribution to the development of new therapeutic options for neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Kruse moved from the University of Freiburg to the Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology at MHH in 2024. Here she is setting up the "Neurodegeneration" working group, which will develop new translational approaches at the interface with gene and cell therapy and microbiome research.

We would like to congratulate Dr. med. Pia Kruse and look forward to the continued success of her research group.