The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) will support the Medical Research Center (MFZ) within the project "Mechanisms governing the priming and sustenance of encephalitogenic lymphocyte - stromal cell interactions during neurotropic viral infection" with the research funding of CHF 1’800’000 over a period of 5 years. The project was submitted by Dr Natalia Pikor as a SNSF “Starting Grant”. Only the best 5-10% of young researchers (no more than 8 years after PhD) are supported by this career promoting instrument.

In addition, ETH Zurich has agreed on an ETH assistant professorship for Dr Pikor in the Department of Biology. With this appointment, KSSG receives its first ETH professorship. This is for Dr Pikor and the entire KSSG an extraordinary award.