German Society for Atherosclerosis Research
Germany’s leading interdisciplinary forum for atherosclerosis research and prevention
The German Society for Atherosclerosis Research (DGAF) is Germany’s leading society dedicated to understanding, preventing and treating atherosclerosis—the disease responsible for the majority of cardiovascular and neurological conditions in industrialized countries. Founded in 1987 by internist Werner H. Hauss and physiologist Eberhard Betz, the DGAF brings together basic researchers and clinicians from a wide range of disciplines: pathological anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, cardiology, angiology, hemostaseology, laboratory medicine and neurology.
Through its annual scientific meetings, awards and support for early-career researchers in atherosclerosis, the DGAF builds a nationwide network of academic vascular researchers working together to advance atherosclerosis research in Germany and around the world.
Our Mission
The DGAF provides a forum for researchers working on atherosclerosis and addresses scientific questions spanning the field, from lipid metabolism to inflammation and immunology. Supporting and promoting early-career researchers, as well as providing continuing scientific education for researchers in atherosclerosis, are central priorities for the DGAF. In doing so, we make an important contribution to improving understanding of the disease and advancing the development of new treatment options.
The DGAF also serves as the German section of the „International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS)“ and contributes to developing regionally adapted cardiovascular prevention guidelines and promoting harmonized, evidence-based practice. By bringing together diverse scientific perspectives and fostering interdisciplinary and international collaboration, the DGAF continues to push the boundaries of atherosclerosis research and translate research findings into effective, population-wide prevention strategies.
Awards and Honors
Recognizing outstanding scientific achievement has always been part of the Society’s mission, a tradition owed in large part to biologist Kuno Lichtwer, who endowed three awards presented at the annual meeting: the W. H. Hauss Award for outstanding scientific work, the Gotthard-Schettler Award for the best oral presentation, and the Eberhard-Betz Award for the best poster presentation—all awarded continuously since 1992. Named after the Society’s co-founder, the W. H. Hauss Award has generally gone to researchers under the age of 40, with recipients coming from major university hospitals across the country.
The Society’s highest honor, however, is the Rudolf Schönheimer Medal. Based on an idea first proposed by H. E. Schaefer (Freiburg) and taken up at the initiative of G. Siegel (Berlin), the medal was designed by the Königliche Porzellanmanufaktur Berlin (KPM), based on the only surviving photograph from Schönheimer’s research years, and made from biscuit porcelain to recognize outstanding contributions to the Society. Rudolf Schönheimer, a biochemist born in Berlin, was forced to emigrate to the United States in 1933 after only a few years of research in Berlin and Freiburg. He continued his pioneering work on cholesterol metabolism at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in New York, where he died at just 43 years of age. Three future Nobel laureates emerged from his research group: H. C. F. Dam, V. du Vigneaud and K. Bloch. The medal is awarded to clinicians or basic researchers who have made a significant contribution to atherosclerosis research in Germany.
Leadership and Today
Structurally, the DGAF has always been organized as a registered association (e.V.), with an elected board consisting of a chair, vice-chair, president-elect to facilitate leadership transitions, secretary and treasurer. It is supported by a scientific advisory board and a small administrative office, historically run in collaboration with professional conference organizers.
Today, the DGAF continues to hold its annual scientific meetings, present the W. H. Hauss Award and its other honors, and support early-career researchers in atherosclerosis. In this way, the DGAF will continue its role as a nationwide network of academic vascular researchers working together to shape the future of atherosclerosis research in Germany and around the world.