The high distinction was awarded by the Director General of the Institute of Single Crystals of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor Volodymyr Petrovych Semynozhenko, by decision of the Academic Council. The Institute of Single Crystals is located in the city of Kharkiv, which is currently severely scarred by war. The award was given to Professor Langer for his many years of promoting cooperation between the University of Rostock and Ukraine, for his scientific achievements overall and for his commitment to refugee aid.
Numerous Ukrainian students as well as academics have worked in Professor Langer's research group. More than 60 high-ranking scientific articles in the field of organic chemistry have been published jointly. The work is about the synthesis of novel molecules that can be important for the development of drugs or new functional materials. Professor Langer has given numerous scientific lectures in Ukraine. Even more recently, in May 2022, a lecture took place online in Kharkov. "You could hear the distant impact of a bomb in the background during the lecture," says Professor Langer. "I am very saddened by the destruction of the beautiful city of Kharkov and other Ukrainian cities and the great human suffering." In recent months, Professor Langer has been involved in refugee aid on a voluntary basis. He was able to help arrange accommodation and act as a Russian-speaking translator at the central reception centre in Rostock.
"The award is a great honour for me and I am very happy about it," says Professor Langer. "The cooperation with Ukraine has great significance for us in Rostock and we will definitely continue it."
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Peter Langer
Institute of Chemistry
University of Rostock
Phone: +49 381 498-6410
peter.langeruni-rostockde