The Jean-Marie Lehn Foundation has once again recognized scientific excellence by awarding its thesis prize to two promising young researchers from the University of Strasbourg. In 2025, Lucille Weiss and Sven Jandura were honored for the quality and originality of their work in the fields of bacterial diagnostics and quantum computing, respectively.
Each year, the Foundation honors doctoral students in chemistry at the University of Strasbourg whose research—conducted at the intersection of biology, materials science, physics, and medicine—shows great potential for societal impact. This award also highlights the deeply interdisciplinary nature of the research conducted in Strasbourg, where chemistry interacts closely with other scientific fields to address major technological, medical, and environmental challenges.
A Ph.D. graduate from the Therapeutic Innovation Laboratory, Lucille Weiss has developed a new generation of fluorescent probes capable of emitting a light signal only in the presence of bacteria. This breakthrough could revolutionize bacteriological diagnosis, which remains too slow today. By enabling rapid and specific detection through simple flow cytometry, her method could prevent unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and thus help combat antibiotic resistance.
Her work also offers new avenues for screening therapeutic molecules: some of the probes she has developed make it possible to assess the health status of bacteria based on the color of the signal they emit. These innovative tools could greatly accelerate the development of new antibiotics.
Dr. Lucille Weiss
Dr. Sven Jandura. Credit: S. Beta
During his Ph.D. at the Quantum Physics Laboratory at ISIS (Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering), Sven Jandura focused on neutral-atom quantum computing, a promising technology in which uncharged atoms are trapped and manipulated by lasers to perform quantum computations. Although more compact and stable than other systems, these computers are nonetheless prone to errors that must be controlled. To address this, Sven Jandura designed innovative laser protocols aimed at improving the accuracy and robustness of quantum operations. International collaborations with Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Colorado have enabled him to test and refine these protocols, resulting in several publications in leading journals.
Thesis Award Ceremony on June 20, 2025 – © Lilia Zanetti
An awards ceremony was held on Friday, June 20, 2025, attended by the winners, their thesis advisors, and representatives of the Foundation. The Jean-Marie Lehn Foundation’s thesis award, worth €1,500, recognizes outstanding, innovative, and impactful research conducted in the Strasbourg area.
The Foundation extends its warmest congratulations to Lucille Weiss and Sven Jandura and wishes them continued success in their careers.
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