DGII Scientific Award
The DGII Scientific Award appreciates prominent achievements of German-speaking scientists. For the first time, it was awarded during the 23rd DGII congress in 2009.
Laureates
- Prof. Dr. Rudolf M. Menapace (2011)
- Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat. Theo Seiler (2010)
- Priv.-Doz. Dr. rer. nat. Diplom-Physiker Wolfgang Haigis (2009)
Laureate 2011:
Prof. Dr. Rudolf M. Menapace, Wien
Laureate 2010
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat. Theo Seiler
Laudatio
Prof. Dr. T. Kohnen
DGII President
After having accomplished his high school graduation 1968 in Ravensburg Theo Seiler started his studies in mathematics and physics at the University of Heidelberg, was awarded 1970 the examination in physics, switched to the Free University of Berlin and left there, 1972, the study as a graduate physicist. In the same year he began his medical studies. With his dissertation "Modulated dynamic nuclear polarization in nuclei smaller gyromagnetic relations" he was conferred the doctorate at the Free University Berlin (PhD) in 1975 and joined the following year into the teaching profession in higher education (maths and physics). At the same time, he continued his medical studies and accomplished his medical exam in Berlin in 1981. Dr. Seiler has been granted the license to practice medicine in 1982. Already being an assistant at the Department of Ophthalmology at the Free University of Berlin since 1981 he was named as “Academic Counsellor” at the same place in 1982. With his dissertation “Linearity of tonometry" he was conferred the doctorate (MD) in 1984 with summa cum laude. In 1986 Dr. Dr. Seiler earned his approval as medical specialist in ophthalmology and was also appointed as head physician at the University Eye Clinic of the Free University of Berlin and in 1989 as Deputy Director of that institute. With his scientific work, "Corneal Refractive Surgery" he habilitated in 1987 at the Free University of Berlin and was appointed as professor of ophthalmology in 1989. On 10/01/1993 Theo Seiler accepted the offer as C4 Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology and Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Medical Faculty of the Technical College of Dresden. Due to the offer of a professorship at the University of Zurich, Prof. Seiler left Dresden School / University Hospital on 01/01/2000. Today, Prof. Seiler is a professor active in his own scientific institute (IROC) and from the University of Zurich.
His work and research interests include corneal surgery, particularly corneal refractive surgery, surgery of the anterior eye segment and physiological optics.
Professor Seiler published among other things more than 200 original articles in peer-reviewed journals.
In addition, Prof. Seiler is and was member in many boards and societies:
- 1988 Member of the Review Committee of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG)
- 1989-1992 Member of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Refractive Keratoplasty
- Member of the Executive Committee of the DOG
- Chairman of the KRC (German Commission of Refractive Surgery)
- Member of the Executive Committee of the DGII
Professor Seiler gained many international honours and awards, let me mention here only a few
- 1989 Theodor Axenfeld Prize
- 1992 King Khaled Lecture at the University of Ryadh
- 1996 A.v. Graefe Award of the German Ophthalmological Society
- 1998 Honour Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology;
- 2003 Presidents Award of the ISRS
- 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2008 Innovators Lecture of the ASCRS
- 2009 Senior Achievement Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Professor Theo Seiler receives the DGII Scientific Award 2010.
Dear Prof. Seiler, I am pleased to be able to hand over to you today the DGII Scientific Award, which is by the way, endowed with 1.000 €. Congratulations and lots of success in the future.
Laureate 2009:
Priv.-Doz. Dr. rer. nat. Diplom-Physiker Wolfgang Haigis