Kristian Franze

Prof. Kristian Franze is the Director of the Institute of Medical Physics and Microtissue Engineering at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and the Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine (MPZPM) since August 2020. His interdisciplinary research combines physics and medical science to investigate the interaction between mechanical forces and nervous system biology.

Education:

• Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig
• Doctorate in Physics, University of Leipzig

His groundbreaking work in neural mechanics focuses on the role of mechanical cues in nerve development, function, and regeneration. By integrating medical physics, microtissue engineering, and mechanobiology, Franze's research advances understanding of neurological disorders and informs tissue engineering strategies. His work has positioned him as a leader in interdisciplinary neuroscience research.

Scientific Awards:

• Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (Germany's most highly endowed research prize)
• Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship from the Humboldt Foundation

Labs and Teams:

• Institute of Medical Physics and Microtissue Engineering at FAU
• Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine (MPZPM), a joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Light (MPL), FAU, and University Hospital Erlangen