Prof. Dr. Rainer Hedrich | Plant Physiology | Excellence in Innovation Award

Shenzhen University SUAT | Germany

Professor Dr. Rainer Hedrich is a globally renowned plant physiologist and synthetic biologist whose pioneering work has fundamentally shaped modern understanding of ion channel–mediated signaling in plants. Trained in Germany, including postdoctoral research with Nobel Laureate Erwin Neher, he established his independent academic career at the University of Göttingen, later serving as full professor at Hannover and Würzburg, where he held the Chair of Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics. Since 2025, he has been a full-time professor at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology. His research focuses on plant electrophysiology, ion transport, signal transduction, stomatal regulation, carnivorous plant biology, and optogenetics. Professor Hedrich was the first to provide experimental proof of ion channels in plants, laying the molecular foundation for understanding plant water balance and electrical excitability. His groundbreaking studies on the Venus flytrap revealed how action potentials, calcium signaling, and phytohormones regulate prey capture and digestion, attracting worldwide scientific and public attention. He has published 371 scientific papers with over 31,035 citations and an h-index of 102, reflecting his sustained global impact. His achievements have been recognized with the Körber European Science Prize, ERC Award, DFG Koselleck Award, and election to the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Widely regarded as a pioneer, Professor Hedrich continues to advance plant science and synthetic biology through innovative interdisciplinary research.

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