IMPRESSIONS OF THE JUNG NIGHT 2026
Independent research that enables medical innovation. This was the focus of the Jung Foundation for Science and Research’s awards ceremony on 21 May 2026, which took place in a festive setting at the Hanse Lounge in Hamburg. Amidst solemn laudatory speeches and touching words of thanks, the independent Hamburg-based foundation honoured Prof. Rohini Kuner, Dr Fiona Kolbinger and Prof. Taroh Kinoshita. Their research has the potential to transform the medicine of tomorrow decisively, or has already done so.
With the following videos, we would like to give you an impression of this year’s laureates. We would like to thank everyone involved for this wonderful evening!
You can watch a presentation on the research findings of this year’s laureates here on our symposium page.
JUNG CAREER ADVANCEMENT AWARD: DR FIONA KOLBINGER
Dr Fiona Kolbinger
We are delighted to have awarded the Jung Career Advancement Award 2026 to Dr. Fiona Kolbinger. Her research project analyzes treatment outcomes in oncological rectal surgery using causal models. Through her work, the physician-scientist at the Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and the Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden operates at the intersection of surgery, data science, and artificial intelligence. The findings of her project are intended to help make surgical procedures safer and improve patient care. Congratulations!
Laudatory Speech
The laudatory speech for Dr. Fiona Kolbinger was delivered by Professor Dr Ruth Ley, PhD, Deputy Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, who praised the award recipient’s outstanding research project. The award certificate was presented by Professor Blanche Schwappach-Pignataro on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Kolbinger had already offered insights into her research on Wednesday afternoon during the Jung Symposium 'Excellence in Human Medicine 2026. The award includes €210,000 in funding, which Dr. Kolbinger may use at her own discretion to further pursue her research approach.
JUNG GOLD MEDAL FOR MEDICINE: PROF. TAROH KINOSHITA
Prof. Taroh Kinoshita
It was our great honor to present Professor Taroh Kinoshita with the Jung Gold Medal for Medicine 2026 in recognition of his lifetime achievements in research. The scientist at the Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER) at Osaka University elucidated the biosynthetic pathway of so-called GPI anchors, thereby making a major contribution to a better understanding of disease mechanisms, particularly in rare and complex disorders. His work provides a foundation for more precise diagnostics and new therapeutic approaches. We warmly congratulate him!
Laudatory Speech
Warm words of appreciation were expressed by Professor Dr Blanche Schwappach-Pignataro, member of the Scientific Advisory Board, in her laudatory speech honoring Professor Kinoshita. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Petra Scharner-Wolff presented the 2026 medal recipient with his certificate and warmly congratulated him. Professor Kinoshita presented the findings of his research on Wednesday, May 20, during the Jung Symposium ‘Excellence in Human Medicine 2026’.
JUNG PRIZE FOR MEDICINE: PROF. ROHINI KUNER
Professor Rohini Kuner
This year, we had the honor of awarding the Jung Prize for Medicine 2026 to Professor Rohini Kuner of the Institute of Pharmacology at the Heidelberg University Medical Faculty. She investigates how the nervous system changes under persistent stimuli and how chronic pain develops as a result. Her research demonstrates how pain is stored and amplified in the body, opening up new avenues for therapies that are more targeted and provide long-term efficacy. For these findings, Kuner receives the Jung Prize for Medicine 2026, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. We warmly congratulate her on receiving this award!
Laudatory Speech
In his laudatory speech, Professor Tobias Moser offered personal words of congratulations to award recipient Professor Rohini Kuner. She subsequently received her certificate from Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Christian Flach. Professor Kuner had already provided a brief insight into her research the previous day at the Jung Symposium ‘Excellence in Human Medicine 2026’.