Harald zur Hausen's research laid the foundations for the development of a vaccine against cancer-causing human papillomaviruses. Millions of people around the world now benefit from this scientific achievement. “Without exaggeration, it can be said that Harald zur Hausen thus opened up a whole new dimension of cancer prevention“ Baumann paid tribute to the deceased.
As Chairman of the Board and Scientific Director, zur Hausen led the German Cancer Research Center for twenty years from 1983 until his retirement in 2003. “Under his leadership, the DKFZ has risen to become one of the leading international research institutions. Harald zur Hausen thus played a decisive role in Heidelberg being mentioned today in the same breath as the world's best sites in cancer research,“ says Ursula Weyrich, Administrative Director of the DKFZ.
In the course of his research life, zur Hausen was honored with an impressive number of academic awards. He was the recipient of nearly 40 honorary doctorates and numerous honorary professorships. The pinnacle of his scientific career came in 2008 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. In 2009, zur Hausen received the Grand Cross of Merit with Star of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 2017, the city of Heidelberg named him an honorary citizen.
Harald zur Hausen was a passionate scientist who researched the infectious causes of malignant tumors at the DKFZ until the end. The German Cancer Research Center will honor his memory with deep gratitude.