Meister’s ice-making research shortlisted for breakthrough award

Assistant Professor Konrad Meister from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has made the shortlist for Science Breakthrough of the Year 2026, presented by the Falling Walls Science Summit.

Meister's work centers on ice-nucleating proteins - tiny organic structures that make it possible for water to freeze at the temperature we all recognize, 32 F or 0 C. Without these proteins or other ice nucleators, water freezes at a much colder temperature.

Bacteria that help ice form are relatively well-understood. Meister's work, published in the journal "Science Advances" in March 2026, is novel for discovering previously-unknown ice-nucleating proteins in fungi.

"It's cool to see that others also find our new ice-making proteins exciting and see the potential in them to solve global challenges," Meister said.

This research joins 150 breakthroughs split across five categories. Meister was shortlisted in the "Physical Sciences" category.

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