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Austrian Decoration of Honour for Jan-Michael Peters
A Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria was presented to IMP Scientific Director Jan-Michael Peters. The recognition, presented at the Ministry of Research, recognises Jan-Michael Peters' merits beyond research and highlights his contributions to shaping the wider life science research landscape in Vienna.
The decoration ("Goldenes Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich") was presented by Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Research on 3 November 2025. The laudatory speech given by Director General (Sektionschef) Elmar Pichl first highlighted Jan-Michael Peters' scientific achievements. Pichl explained Peters’ contributions to our understanding of chromosome segregation, cell division, the three-dimensional organization of genomic DNA in chromosomes, and the key roles of cohesin and other protein complexes in these processes (quotations translated and edited for clarity):
"His greatest scientific achievements include groundbreaking discoveries in the field of chromosome biology, in particular his work on the role of the cohesin complex. Dr. Peters is one of the world's leading scientists in this field.
Through his research, he has made key contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms by which chromosomes are correctly separated during cell division, a process whose malfunction can lead to serious diseases.
This work has not only expanded our basic knowledge of cell biology but also opened up new approaches to cancer research and the development of therapies for genetic diseases.”
Pichl then highlighted Peters’ role in strengthening Vienna as an internationally recognized and highly successful centre for life science research:
"Jan-Michael Peters, winner of the 2011 Wittgenstein Award and a full member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences since 2014, has contributed significantly to Austria's visibility as a leading life science location.
He has succeeded in recruiting outstanding researchers. Among the most visible indicators of his achievements as director are 29 ERC grants at the IMP, and a success rate of 60 percent for ERC applications – 13 per cent is the average in the life sciences.
As a member of the board of the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation, Dr. Peters has also made a significant contribution to establishing a new research institute here at the Vienna BioCenter, that will work at the interface between artificial intelligence and biomedicine. Established as a collaboration between the foundation and the Austrian Academy of Sciences, this institute will shape Vienna as a research location and, with it, Austria as a whole for years to come."
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