18 November 2025
Dr Rebecka Molitor has been named one of the winners of the 2025 KlarText Prize for Science Communication, awarded by the Klaus Tschira Foundation. In her German article “In der Tiefsee liegt die Lösung“ which translates as “The solution lies in the deep sea”, she compellingly describes how biotechnology could help tackle one of the world’s most pressing problems: plastic pollution.
The KlarText Prize recognises early-career researchers who turn their PhD theses into engaging, accessible articles for a general audience. Nearly 200 doctoral graduates took part in this year’s competition. Dr Molitor impressed the jury with her ability to present complex scientific findings in a clear and vivid way, supported by an eye-catching infographic.
Dr Molitor conducts her research at the Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, part of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, located on the campus of Forschungszentrum Jülich. She works within the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, exploring how certain bacterial enzymes – known as polyesterases – might be used to biologically break down plastic. This was also the subject of her award-winning contribution, in which she described how she was using polyesterases to develop biotechnological approaches to solving the global plastic problem. . A highlight of her work was a research expedition to the North Atlantic, where she collected plastic debris from the deep sea and studied microorganisms that may have adapted to life on plastic waste.
Each award comes with 7,500 euros in prize money. The official ceremony took place on 13 November 2025 in Heidelberg.
The Klaus Tschira Foundation supports the natural sciences, mathematics and computer science, and is committed to strengthening science communication. With the KlarText Prize, the foundation celebrates young scientists who can explain their research in a way that resonates beyond the academic world. Established in 1997, the award has become one of the most prestigious honours for science communication in Germany.
