Back in Germany – as Karl Ziegler Guest Professor 2025

Yale Professor Craig M. Crews visits Mülheim for the Ziegler Lecture

Professor Craig M. Crews has been awarded the Karl Ziegler Guest Professorship, the highest distinction bestowed by the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung. During his visit to Mülheim, he not only provided scientific insights but also shared personal experiences from past research stays in Germany and engaged in conversations with the institute’s early-career researchers.

Crews is a boundary-crosser in many respects. His research on PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras)—a novel class of therapeutics that selectively degrades disease-causing proteins within cells—marks a significant step forward in drug development. His work bridges chemistry and biology, fundamental science and application, as well as the scientific communities of the US, Germany, and Europe.

In his first lecture on Monday, Crews spoke about what motivates him and his personal connection to Germany: “As the son of a NASA scientist and a librarian, I was born curious. And the chemistry set was always within reach in my childhood room,” he said. His interest in understanding biochemical processes and improving the treatment of diseases deepened when his father was diagnosed with—and later died from—Alzheimer’s. During his chemistry studies in Virginia, a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) brought him to Tübingen in the mid-1980s—a formative time, as he recalls: “I lived in a shared apartment and still have many strong ties to Germany. That’s why it’s a special honour for me to give the Ziegler Lecture here in Mülheim.”

Tuesday’s programme featured the official Award Lecture and formal recognition by Managing Director Prof. Frank Neese in front of around 200 guests from the institute and nearby universities. In his talk, Crews described how the first PROTAC molecules in the early 2000s were little more than a proof of concept—and how this idea eventually gave rise to a thriving research field with over 100 start-ups and more than 80 PROTACs currently in clinical trials. He clearly demonstrated how the gap between basic research and real-world application can be bridged to develop more effective treatments and improve lives. A compelling story that spans chemistry and biology—and a track record of building successful companies focused on PROTAC development—summed up the two-day visit, which took place in glorious May weather. “The Ziegler Lecture is the highlight of the academic year at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, and the choice of this year’s lecturer couldn’t have been better,” said Neese. In 2026, Professor Satoshi Maeda from Hokkaido University will visit the institute as the next Karl Ziegler Guest Professor. A date has not yet been set.