Senckenberg Geoscientist to Receive Gustav-Steinmann Medal 2026

Professor Ulf Linnemann, Director of the Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden and Professor of Geology at the Technical University of Dresden, has been selected to receive the 2026 Gustav-Steinmann Medal from the German Geological Society – Geologische Vereinigung (DGGV). The award recognizes his outstanding scientific achievements in the field of zircon geochronology and his research into the geological development of Peri-Gondwana.

Linnemann's work has focused on understanding the geological evolution of ancient rock formations, including the Avalon-Cadomian basement and the Variscan orogeny. By employing uranium-lead dating of zircons, he has precisely reconstructed geological processes and the development of Earth's crust over vast geological timescales. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of continental history and plate tectonics.

A notable contribution by Linnemann includes his work on the absolute dating of the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary in a biostratigraphically well-constrained section in southern Namibia. His research integrates geochronological and geological questions with the evolution of life and environmental conditions throughout Earth's history.

Beyond his research, Linnemann has played a key role in shaping the development of geological research infrastructure in Dresden. Under his leadership, the State Museum of Mineralogy and Geology Dresden was integrated into the Senckenberg Society for Natural Research, enhancing the institution's capabilities in geoscience.