Three young researchers were recognised for their outstanding graduate research during Tropentag 2026 in Göttingen.

The Hans H. Ruthenberg Graduate Award 2026, presented by the Foundation fiat panis, honoured three theses addressing different challenges across agriculture, food and nutrition, and agroecology. The award was presented during a special Foundation fiat panis session on 17 September.

The three award winners were Elizabeth Gill from the University of Hohenheim, Marie Haas from Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, and Letizia Zuliani from ETH Zurich.

Gill received the award for her work on “Genomic Prediction Models for Accelerated Potato Breeding in the Andean Highlands.” Her research explores the use of genomic prediction to support faster potato breeding in the Andean highlands.

Elizabeth Gill receiving the Hans H. Ruthenberg Graduate Award 2026 for her thesis on genomic prediction models for accelerated potato breeding in the Andean Highlands. (Photo: )

Haas was recognised for her thesis, “Applying the Positive Deviance Approach to disseminate family-invented uncommon solutions for overcoming malnutrition in rural Madhya Pradesh, India.” The research focuses on identifying and sharing solutions developed by families themselves to address malnutrition in rural communities.

Marie Haas receiving the Hans H. Ruthenberg Graduate Award 2026 for her thesis on applying the Positive Deviance approach to address malnutrition in rural Madhya Pradesh, India. (Photo: )

Zuliani received the award for “Assessing Agroecology in Small-Scale Cocoa Production Systems in São Tomé: From Indicator Co-development to Measurement.” Her work examines approaches for assessing agroecology in small-scale cocoa production and the development of indicators together with stakeholders.

Letizia Zuliani receiving the Hans H. Ruthenberg Graduate Award 2026 for her thesis on assessing agroecology in small-scale cocoa production systems in São Tomé. (Photo: )

Although the three studies use very different approaches, they all address practical challenges in food and agricultural systems— from crop breeding and nutrition to sustainable cocoa production.

The Hans H. Ruthenberg Graduate Award is part of the Foundation fiat panis award session at Tropentag, which also includes the Hermann Eiselen Science Award.