Gisela Eckhardt's bequest of over €11.5 million has paved the way for the establishment of a new endowed professorship in experimental physics at Goethe University Frankfurt.
The professorship will focus on solid-state spectroscopy and electron spectroscopy of electronically correlated materials.
This honorary measure not only honors Eckhardt's remarkable career but also strengthens the long-standing relationship between her and her alma mater, Goethe University.
Eckhardt's story was seemingly disconnected from the university that nurtured her early academic journey. Completing her doctorate in 1958 at Goethe University, she emigrated to the United States, navigating both personal and professional hurdles.
The invention of the Raman laser, which bears her name, represents a significant advancement still utilized today in various fields such as medicine, biology, and chemistry.
Her relationship with the scientific community was strengthened in 2017 when she revisited her former faculty, clearly moved by the changes in the university that now celebrated the contributions and achievements of female scientists.
With the appointment of Olena Fedchenko as the endowed professor, the legacy of Gisela Eckhardt continues to resonate through active research that blurs the lines between theory and practical application.
Research in electron spectroscopy is gaining momentum, particularly as scientists strive to unravel the complex interactions of particles within solids. Fedchenko's expertise in this area bridges a crucial gap between theoretical research and experimental validation.
The establishment of the endowed professorship serves as an acknowledgment of Eckhardt's past struggles and an investment in the future of experimental physics, showcasing Goethe University's commitment to diversity and inclusion within the scientific community.
The convergence of Fedchenko's research expertise with Eckhardt's vision creates a powerful synergy that promises to yield significant advancements in the understanding and application of solid-state physics.