Professor Jürgen Popp, member of Leibniz INFECTIONS and Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT) has been awarded the SPIE Biophotonics Technology Innovator Award 2026 – one of the most prestigious international prizes in optical diagnostics and medical photonics. The award recognises his outstanding achievements in advancing light technologies, such as Raman spectroscopy, and in making them usable for clinical applications.

Prof. Popp received the award from the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) in January 2026 at the Photonics West trade fair and conference in San Francisco, one of the world's most important events for optics and photonics. SPIE emphasised in its statement that Prof. Popp is one of the world's leading biophotonics experts and that his work has made a decisive contribution to the technological and conceptual advancement of photonic diagnostics, particularly marker-free, real-time methods based on Raman spectroscopy, to the point where they can be used for clinical applications.

The award-winning developments include technologies for rapid diagnostics, such as the intraoperative detection of tumor boundaries, and laser-based rapid tests for infection diagnostics. In the case of life-threatening infections, these could offer a significant time advantage and facilitate the targeted use of antibiotics. The award also recognises his interdisciplinary research strategy, which combines key photonic technologies with data-driven methods to open up new avenues for more precise, personalised and preventive medical applications.

Further Information

Leibniz IPHT Press release: SPIE Honors Jürgen Popp for Bringing Biophotonics Closer to the Clinic

SPIE Award Citation: Jürgen Popp: The 2026 SPIE Biophotonics Innovator Award