09.03.2026

Barbara Huber recognized for pioneering research in chemistry for cultural heritage

Early-Stage Scientist Award by the European Chemical Society goes to Tübingen researcher

The European Chemical Society’s Working Party on Chemistry for Cultural Heritage has awarded the Early-Stage Scientist Award 2026 to Dr. Barbara Huber, a postdoctoral researcher in the Archaeometry working group at the University of Tübingen’s Institute of Prehistory, Early History and Medieval Archaeology. The prize recognizes her outstanding contributions to the field of biomolecular archaeology and the chemistry of ancient scents.

Barbara Huber’s work in biomolecular archaeology is characterized by innovative metabolomics-based approaches to the analysis of organic residues, enabling the reconstruction of ancient scents, perfumes, balms, and medicinal and psychoactive plants from highly degraded archaeological materials. By identifying the chemical signatures of aromatic substances, she sheds new light on ritual, cosmetic, medicinal, and economic traditions of ancient societies and expands the analytical boundaries of chemistry for cultural heritage.

The biannual Early-Stage Scientist Award honors exceptional early-career researchers who demonstrate innovation and excellence at the intersection of chemistry, technology, society, and cultural heritage. The award will be formally presented at the Chemistry for Cultural Heritage 2026 Conference in June in Bled, Slovenia, where Barbara Huber will deliver the Early-Stage Scientist Award Lecture.

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