XLAB Stiftung

Purpose of the foundation

The purpose of the XLAB Foundation is to promote education, popular and vocational training, including student support, as well as science and research in the field of natural sciences, including the promotion of dialog between science and society.

The purpose of the foundation is realized in particular by raising funds for experimentation courses for pupils from Germany and abroad, Internationale Science Camps, Lehrerfortbildungen as well as measures to promote science and research that are carried out in or in connection with the XLAB – Göttinger Experimentallabor für junge Leute - (...) be carried out.

The foundation can also directly realize its tax-privileged purposes itself by establishing and operating a meeting center for education, science and research as well as building international networks and its own events such as lectures, workshops, courses and symposia.

Prof. Dr. Eva-Maria Neher

Founder and former director of the XLAB

Vita

Eva-Maria Neher embarked on a scientific career as a biochemist at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry and at the Medical Faculty of the University of Göttingen. During a longer family phase, she accompanied the education of her five children and developed the concept of an experimental laboratory for school classes, with which she convinced politicians and university management. The XLAB - Göttingen Experimental Laboratory for Young People was founded in 2000 and the characteristic laboratory building was inaugurated in 2004. Through numerous collaborations with research institutions and the annual International Science Camp, Eva-Maria Neher established the outstanding reputation of the XLAB in Germany and abroad. She established the XLAB Foundation, and as Chairwoman of the Board she continues to promote the XLAB.

Awards and offices (selection)

Communication Award of the Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2005)
Lower Saxony State Prize (2007)
Member of the Board of Trustees of HAWK (University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hildesheim, Holzminden Göttingen) since 2008, Chairwoman of the University Council since 2014
Vertrauensdozentin der Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (2011-2019)
Mitglied des Vorstands der GDNÄ – Gesellschaft deutscher Naturforscher und Ärzte (2013-2018), Präsidentin (2014-2016), Gast im Vorstand (seit 2019)
Cross of Merit 1st Class of the Federal Republic of Germany (2013)
Chairwoman of the University Council of the European University of Flensburg (2014-2021)
Lower Saxony State Medal and Grand Cross of Merit of Lower Saxony (2018)
Mitglied der Real European Academy of Doctors, Barcelona (seit 2019)
Initiative Prize of the Susanne and Gerd Litfin Foundation (2019)
University Medal Aureus Gottingensis of the University of Göttingen (2023)
Alexander von Humboldt Medal of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians (GDNÄ) (2024)