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Biophotonics researcher Prof. Jürgen Popp, Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT) and Professor of Physical Chemistry at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Ellis R. Lippincott Award. The international honor is jointly presented by Optica, the Coblentz Society, and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy.
The societies recognize Popp for his pioneering contributions to translational clinical Raman spectroscopy. “Translation” refers to the systematic transfer of insights from basic research into concrete applications, for example in medicine. Popp has played a key role in establishing Raman spectroscopy as an important analytical approach in biomedical research and in advancing it toward clinical use.
Popp and his research teams integrate fundamental laser-based spectroscopy and imaging methods with their translation into clinically applicable diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Major focus areas include infection research, oncology, and precision medicine. Under his leadership, photonic methods—particularly Raman-based approaches—have been advanced into powerful tools for label-free, real-time diagnostics.
The Ellis R. Lippincott Award is internationally regarded as one of the most prestigious distinctions in vibrational spectroscopy. Established in 1975, it honors individuals whose work has significantly influenced the research of other scientists. The award ceremony is scheduled for October 2026 at the SciX conference in Sparks, Nevada (USA).
Further international recognition in close succession
In January 2026, the international society SPIE also honored Jürgen Popp with the Biophotonics Technology Innovator Award. This award recognized in particular his contributions to advancing photonic diagnostic technologies and translating them into clinical applications—from intraoperative tumor detection to rapid infection diagnostics.
“I am very pleased to receive this award. For me, it also reflects the work of many teams and partners,” says Popp. “Translation succeeds only through close collaboration—between chemistry, physics, the life sciences, and medicine, and between research institutions, clinics, and industry partners, nationally and internationally. Progress in biophotonic diagnostics emerges from strong networks.”
Building networks from Jena
Since 2006, Popp has served as Scientific Director of Leibniz IPHT and has developed the institute into an internationally visible research environment for photonic biomedical technologies. From Jena, he has initiated numerous strategic partnerships, including close translational collaborations with Jena University Hospital as well as international alliances.
Examples include the transatlantic Center for Biophotonic Technology and Artificial Intelligence (CeBAI), launched in 2024 with the University at Albany (SUNY), and the Jena-Davis Alliance of Excellence in Biophotonics with the University of California, Davis. Initiatives such as the “Women in Photonics” career workshop further support the global networking of early-career women scientists and help attract talent to Jena. Popp has also provided key impetus for the emerging Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI).
Scientific career
Jürgen Popp studied chemistry at the Universities of Erlangen and Würzburg, earned his PhD in Würzburg, conducted postdoctoral research at Yale University, and completed his habilitation in Würzburg. He has been Professor of Physical Chemistry at Friedrich Schiller University Jena since 2002 and Scientific Director of Leibniz IPHT since 2006.
Internationally, he is active as editor of leading scientific journals and as an initiator of major conferences, including the International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy (ICORS) and ICOB 2024 in Jena.
Research at Leibniz IPHT internationally visible
The current honor once again highlights the international visibility of Raman and spectroscopy research at Leibniz IPHT. In 2020, Jena-based physical chemist Prof. Volker Deckert of Leibniz IPHT and Friedrich Schiller University Jena also received the Ellis R. Lippincott Award for his contributions to tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
About the Ellis R. Lippincott Award
Established in 1975, the Ellis R. Lippincott Award commemorates the contributions of U.S. physical chemist Ellis R. Lippincott to vibrational spectroscopy. The award is jointly presented by Optica, the Coblentz Society, and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy.
https://www.leibniz-ipht.de/en/departments/spectroscopy-and-imaging/ Prof. Dr. Jürgen Popp, Scientif Director Leibniz Institute of Photonic technology (Leibniz IPHT)
https://www.optica.org/get_involved/awards_and_honors/awards/award_descriptions/...
Portrait of Prof. Jürgen Popp, Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology a ...
Quelle: Sven Döring
Copyright: Leibniz IPHT
Professor Jürgen Popp, the scientific director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and d ...
Quelle: Sven Döring
Copyright: Leibniz-IPHT
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