The Walter Frei Fund supports excellence in veterinary medical research and presents the Walter Frei Prize every two to three years. The award includes prize money of up to CHF 20,000 and is conferred by the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich.
Named in honor of Professor Walter Frei, former Director of the Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Zurich, the prize was first awarded in 1979 by the original Walter Frei Foundation. Since 2025, it has been continued under the umbrella of the UZH Foundation as the Walter Frei Fund.
The prize includes an invitation to deliver the Walter Frei Guest Lecture at the University of Zurich, in addition to the monetary award. It honors exceptional researchers who have made significant scientific contributions to the field of veterinary medicine.
Dr. Walter Frei (1882-1972)
The Advisory Board of the Walter Frei Fund is composed of the following members:
Prof. Dr. Roger Stephan, Dean of the Vetsuisse Faculty at UZH (Chair)
Prof. Dr. Nicole Borel, Vice Dean for Research, Vetsuisse Faculty at UZH
Dr. Alex Rübel, President of UZH Alumni, former Director of Zurich Zoo
The Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich is awarding the 2025 Walter Frei Prize to Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Baumgärtner in recognition of his internationally acclaimed research on neuropathological diseases relevant to veterinary medicine, as well as his work on animal models of numerous — often zoonotic — viral infections. His research has played a vital role in redefining and strengthening the position of veterinary pathology within today’s highly specialized and increasingly interdisciplinary research landscape.
