Styrian Women Scientists Honored with SPIRIT Award

Graz, Austria – February 17, 2026 – The prestigious SPIRIT Award for Women in Science was recently awarded to ten exceptional researchers from Styria, Austria, recognizing their significant contributions to various fields of science. The awards ceremony, held in Graz, celebrated the achievements of these “athletes” of the scientific world, as described by organizers.

Award Categories and Winners

The SPIRIT Award, now in its second year, recognizes excellence in three categories: Grundlagenforschung (Basic Research), Angewandte Forschung (Applied Research), and a general category recognizing overall achievement. Winners were selected through a combination of online voting (with over 17,000 votes cast) and a 20-member expert jury comprised of representatives from science, business, and government.

This year’s winners include:

• Anna Galler (TU Graz): Awarded in the Grundlagenforschung category for her work on 2D quantum materials and their potential applications in next-generation semiconductors and sensors. Source, Source
• Raquel Gonzalez de Vega (University of Graz): Recognized in the Angewandte Forschung category for developing a novel method to measure micro- and nanoplastics in wastewater, contributing to future EU regulations on water treatment and plastic management. Source, Source

Additional winners were also honored, representing a diverse range of research areas and institutions including FH Joanneum, Med Uni Graz, Montanuniversität Leoben, JOANNEUM RESEARCH, and Silicon Austria Labs (SAL).

The “Marie” Trophy and Supporting Organizations

Award recipients received the unique “Marie” trophy, designed by Styrian artist Reinhard Gussmagg and realized by “Paul brennt” and Weitzer Woodsolutions. The SPIRIT Award is supported by SFG/Land Steiermark, Med Uni Graz, Montanuniversität Leoben, Human.technology Styria (HTS), JOANNEUM RESEARCH, Silicon Austria Labs (SAL), Universität Graz, and the Fachgruppe der steirischen Holzindustrie.

FH JOANNEUM Celebrates 25 Years

The February issue of Spirit of Styria also highlights the 25th anniversary of FH JOANNEUM, a leading Austrian university of applied sciences. The article emphasizes the institution’s commitment to practical relevance and its role in the innovation ecosystem. Source

Looking Ahead

The SPIRIT Award for Women in Science underscores the growing recognition of women’s contributions to the scientific community in Styria. The initiative aims to inspire future generations of female researchers and promote innovation across the region. Source