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Antje Boetius receives the Federal Cross of Merit

Antje Boetius receives the Federal Cross of Merit

Oct 2, 2019

Commitment to preserving the oceans honoured

On 2 October, Prof. Dr. Antje Boetius, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and director at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, officially received the Federal Cross of Merit. At the event, Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier commended her commitment to preserving the oceans and combating the on-going destruction of the environment.

Under the motto “Courage for the Future: Transcending Borders” and marking the anniversary of German Unity Day, the President presented 25 citizens with the Federal Cross of Merit: “These are all people who use their conviction and courage to shape our society and our future, transcending borders to do so.”

According to the official explanation for her selection, Boetius not only contributes her research in numerous international committees, but also makes the latest oceanographic findings available to a broad audience; her voice commands great credence, and is taken seriously. Moreover: “The on-going destruction of the environment and climate crisis show how important her commitment to our future is: our planet’s future especially depends on protecting the oceans.”

Antje Boetius is a Professor at the University of Bremen, and has led the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research since November 2017. At the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen she heads the HGF MPG Bridge Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology.