FAU researcher and PI Dr. Johannes Walter has been honored with the Cölfen Early Career Investigator Award (CECIA). The award was presented at the 28th International Analytical Ultracentrifugation Workshop and Symposium (AUC 2026), held at Uppsala University, Sweden, from August 24 to 28, 2026.
The CECIA recognizes researchers who, within the first ten years of their independent career, have made outstanding contributions to analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and related research in materials science and biophysics, and who have demonstrated leadership in their field.
The award is named in memory of Prof. Helmut Cölfen (1965–2023), who shaped the use of AUC in colloid and nanoparticle research and was known for his dedication to his students.
Johannes Walter’s research focuses on the comprehensive characterization of nanoparticles by AUC, in particular the determination of size, shape, density, and optical property distributions. Within CRC 1411, these methods contribute to the understanding of structure-property or process-structure relationships.