Neurogastroenterology Research Prize to be awarded at the Visceral Medicine 2026 conference

This year, the Neurogastroenterology Research Prize, worth a total of 5,000 euros, is shared by Dr Kerstin Maehder (Dr rer. biol. hum.) and Dr Hanna Öhlmann (Dr rer. nat.). The two researchers were honoured at the Viszeralmedizin 2026 conference for their outstanding work on gut-brain interaction.
The research prize, which was originally established by the Neurogastroenterology Foundation, has been awarded since 2005. In 2026, the award ceremony took place at the Viszeralmedizin conference for the first time, organised by the German Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (DGNM) with the support of Bayer.

Dr. rer. nat. Peter Neckel (Tübingen) and Priv.-Doz. Dr. Jutta Keller (Hamburg) presented the award on behalf of the DGNM during the ‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Rome V’ session, which was packed to capacity.

The award-winning studies focus on pathological changes in gut-brain interaction in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. They shed light on mechanisms of pathological pain processing that have previously received insufficient attention and provide important data for new approaches to the clinical management of these conditions. The award-winning studies examine pathological changes in gut-brain interaction in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. They shed light on mechanisms of pathological pain processing that have previously received insufficient attention and provide important data for new approaches to the clinical management of these conditions.

Kerstin Maehder from Hamburg was honoured for her paper ‘Efficacy of a mechanism-based psychological intervention for persistent gastrointestinal symptoms in ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome: Results of a three-arm randomised controlled trial (SO-MA.GUT-RCT)’ → DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103663.
Hanna Öhlmann from Bochum received the award for her work “Fear-induced hyperalgesia in quiescent inflammatory bowel disease” → DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003853.

Award for Outstanding Research in Neurogastroenterology

The research prize recognises outstanding scientific achievements in the field of neurogastroenterology and highlights excellent research into the gut-brain axis. It is aimed in particular at early-career researchers from both clinical and basic research backgrounds. To be eligible to apply, candidates must have a high-impact publication from 2025 or 2026, including those ‘in press’. In addition to scientific quality, the assessment will focus in particular on the insights gained and the relevance to the field.

The DGNM warmly congratulates Kerstin Maehder and Hanna Öhlmann on this award. Both prize-winners will present their work at the DGNM Annual Conference from 26 to 28 February 2027 in Berlin.