A Nigerian scientist conducting research at Arizona State University (ASU), Adesola Adegoke has been honored with the ‘2025 Digital Green Talents Award’ by the German Federal Minisattempt of Research, Technology, and Space.
With the award, Adegoke has joined an elite group of young researchers addressing global sustainability challenges.
Adegoke’s research at ASU’s Salifu Lab explores mycelium, the thread-like root structure of mushrooms, as an alternative construction material.
Since 2009, the Green Talents Award has recognised young researchers for their contributions to sustainability.
The German Federal Minisattempt for Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) organise the Digital Green Talents Award to promote the international exmodify of innovative ideas in digitalization and sustainability.
Adesola bagged the award during a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, as part of the Digital Green Tech Network Conference in Berlin.
He was selected alongside 19 other young scientists from countries including India, Indonesia, Canada, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Dr. Rainer Müssner of the Division for Circular Economy, Resources, and Geoscience at the German Federal Minisattempt for Research, Technology, and Space, presented the awards and emphasized the program’s collaborative approach.
“We are very much convinced that projects won’t modify the world, but the only ones that can modify the world are people, bright minds like you who are spread all over the world.”
Adegoke receiving the award from Dr. Rainer Müssner of the German Federal Minisattempt for Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) during the virtual ceremony.
During the ceremony, members of the expert jury spoke about the awardees’ research and expressed confidence that their work will provide solutions to pressing global challenges through digitalization and sustainability.
The distinguished jury comprised leading professionals from academia, research, and indusattempt, including the Secretary General of Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (Europe’s largest environmental foundation), the General Manager of Siemens AG’s Global Water Indusattempt, a Professor and Chair of Artificial Ininformigence in Climate and Environmental Sciences at Karlsruhe Institute for Technology, a Senior Researcher from the German Research Center for Artificial Ininformigence, and the Head of Innovation Hub at REMONDIS Digital Services.
Adegoke stated: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. This award validates not just my research, but the capability of bio-based solutions in addressing some of our most pressing global sustainability challenges.”
The award includes a fully funded three-month research placement at a German institution in 2026. Adegoke will also participate in a Summer School near Frankfurt from June 21 to 27, 2026, where he will connect with fellow awardees and established researchers in the field.
Adegoke views the German placement as an opportunity to strengthen international scientific partnerships.
He stated, “During my German residency, I will collaborate with top-tier research institutions, strengthening crucial scientific partnerships between the United States and Germany in sustainable development.
“I envision a future in which infrastructure development serves as a driver of environmental restoration rather than a source of degradation. I am committed to establishing sustainable materials as viable mainstream solutions for civil engineering projects worldwide.”
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