Astrophysicist Dr. Suzanna Randall (left), patron of the ZEISS Award 2024, and Georg von Erffa, Head of Corporate Human Resources (right), together with the winners of the 14th ZEISS Women Award Yasmin Al-Douri, Fuzhan Rahmanian, and Lina Sophie Pfeiffer (from left to right). (Photo: Goran Gahanin/Das Kraftbild)
We are thrilled to congratulate TUM junior researcher Dr. Fuzhan Rahmanian on receiving a prestigious award. In mid-October, she was honored with the 2024 ZEISS Women Award in the Digital Research category. The award celebrates Rahmanian’s exceptional contributions to data science and digitalization in materials science. Her impressive scientific achievements advance digital technologies and inspire energy research through her interdisciplinary approach.
During her Ph.D. studies under Prof. Helge Stein at TU Munich, Rahmanian focused on developing technologies to accelerate the research and development of battery materials (Materials Acceleration Platforms). Since July 2024, she has been working as a postdoc in the research group of Prof. Jennifer Rupp, developing AI-supported, high-throughput methods for battery systems. The versatile young researcher is focusing on an entrepreneurial career that concentrates on building an AI-powered platform to accelerate material development. “My overarching goal is to significantly improve the battery value chain,” explains Rahmanian. “Developing battery innovations is my biggest motivation. I believe that advancing sustainable energy storage requires creative approaches and interdisciplinary teams — something I aim to contribute to with my work.”
Role Models for Women in Science
The ZEISS Women Award was presented for the 14th time in 2024, honoring outstanding students and graduates from the digital and IT sectors. Awards were given for scientific work, projects, and initiatives in the newly introduced Digital Research, Digital Entrepreneurship, and Digital Social Impact categories. This year’s ZEISS Women Award patron was astrophysicist, author, and astronaut candidate Dr. Suzanna Randall. In her opening speech, she emphasized the importance of female role models, especially in STEM fields, and the need to inspire young women in science and research: “We need to show girls and women that there are no limits for them in science and research. They can achieve great things — on Earth or in space.” The press release on the ZEISS Women Award provides an overview of the event.
Georg von Erffa, Head of Corporate Human Resources at ZEISS, presented the award at a ceremony on Munich’s Praterinsel, recognizing the courage, vision, and foresight of the awardees and pioneers in the digital and IT sectors. “I am very grateful that my digital research project was recognized. It’s also a responsibility that I want to live up to,” says Rahmanian. “It means a lot that Jennifer Rupp accompanied me to the event and supports me in so many ways — I appreciate her as a role model, especially for women in science.”
We sincerely congratulate Dr. Fuzhan Rahmanian and wish her much success with her research projects!