Europe’s Top 20 Scientists to Watch in 2025

Posted on March 4, 2025. Researched and Prompted by Soraima

Europe remains at the forefront of scientific discovery, with trailblazers pushing the boundaries of everything from quantum science to life-saving biotechnology.

While there’s no official "Top 20 Scientists of 2025" list yet—these typically come at year’s end from groups like the AD Scientific Index or Clarivate—we’ve curated a speculative list based on current trends, past accomplishments, and the fields generating the most buzz: quantum science, AI, and biomedicine.

Let’s take a look at Europe’s brightest scientific minds, organized by their countries of origin, and explore their groundbreaking work—and what they could achieve in the year ahead.

Austria

Anton Zeilinger

• Specialty: Quantum Physics

• Why He’s a Star: Anton Zeilinger’s pioneering experiments with quantum teleportation and entanglement earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2022. With 2025 being the International Year of Quantum Science, Zeilinger is likely at the forefront of building quantum communication networks—potentially laying the foundation for a new era of secure, unhackable internet. Learn more

  
  

Francesca Ferlaino

• Specialty: Ultracold Quantum Matter

• Why She’s a Star: Ferlaino’s work involves chilling atoms to near absolute zero, creating strange quantum gases with mind-bending properties. Her research could lead to the development of next-generation quantum computers, making her one to watch in 2025.  Learn more

  
  

France

Emmanuelle Charpentier

• Specialty: Molecular Biology, Gene Editing

• Why She’s a Star: A 2020 Nobel laureate for co-inventing CRISPR-Cas9, Charpentier’s revolutionary gene-editing technology continues to transform medicine. In 2025, expect her to push gene editing into the realms of personalized medicine and sustainable farming solutions.  Learn more

  
  

Anne L’Huillier

• Specialty: Attosecond Physics

• Why She’s a Star: In 2023, Anne L’Huillier won the Nobel Prize for generating attosecond light pulses—extremely fast flashes that capture electron movement. In 2025, her work could spark major advancements in ultrafast electronics, reshaping industries from computing to telecommunications.  Learn more

  
  

Alain Aspect

• Specialty: Quantum Mechanics

• Why He’s a Star: Known for his groundbreaking tests of Bell’s inequalities, Alain Aspect demonstrated that quantum mechanics truly defies classical physics. His work in 2025 could further advance quantum cryptography, helping protect our digital infrastructure with unbreakable encryption.  Learn more

  
  

Jean-Pierre Sauvage

• Specialty: Supramolecular Chemistry

• Why He’s a Star: Sauvage’s 2016 Nobel-winning work on molecular machines has far-reaching potential. By 2025, his tiny molecular creations might be integrated into smart materials, such as fabrics that can heal themselves or adapt to their environment.  Learn more

  
  

Germany

Thomas Südhof

• Specialty: Neurobiology

• Why He’s a Star: Südhof’s 2013 Nobel Prize research on how neurons communicate through synapses could lead to breakthroughs in treating neurodegenerative diseases. In 2025, his work may help develop new therapies for Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders.  Learn more

  
  

Matthias Mann

• Specialty: Proteomics

• Why He’s a Star: Matthias Mann’s innovations in mass spectrometry have revolutionized our understanding of proteins. His research is likely to lead to more personalized cancer diagnostics and treatments in 2025.  Learn more

  
  

Jürgen Mlynek

• Specialty: Quantum Optics

• Why He’s a Star: A leading figure in both research and policy, Mlynek is poised to help drive the development of quantum technology across Europe in 2025, with significant implications for both computing and communication.  Learn more

  
  

Helle Ulrich

• Specialty: DNA Repair

• Why She’s a Star: Ulrich’s research on DNA damage responses has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapies. In 2025, her work could lead to more effective treatments for a range of cancers, providing hope for patients worldwide.  Learn more

  
  

Hungary

Katalin Karikó

• Specialty: Biochemistry, mRNA Technology

• Why She’s a Star: Katalin Karikó’s groundbreaking work on mRNA vaccines (which helped curb the global COVID-19 pandemic) earned her the 2023 Nobel Prize. In 2025, her continued research could expand mRNA technology to treat a host of other diseases, from cancer to rare genetic conditions.  Learn more

  
  

Italy

Giulia Galli

• Specialty: Computational Materials Science

• Why She’s a Star: Giulia Galli’s simulations help design new materials for energy storage and quantum applications. By 2025, her work may be key to optimizing quantum materials for sustainable energy solutions.  Learn more

  
  

Elena Conti

• Specialty: Structural Biology

• Why She’s a Star: Elena Conti’s research into RNA structures could pave the way for next-generation therapies. In 2025, her work could be central to developing new treatments for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.  Learn more

  
  

Netherlands

Ben Feringa

• Specialty: Organic Chemistry, Nanotechnology

• Why He’s a Star: Nobel laureate Ben Feringa’s work on molecular machines continues to inspire. In 2025, his inventions could be used in targeted drug delivery systems, revolutionizing personalized medicine.  Learn more

  
  

Andre Geim

• Specialty: Condensed Matter Physics

• Why He’s a Star: Geim, a Nobel laureate for his work with graphene, could usher in the era of graphene-powered electronics in 2025, changing everything from flexible displays to superfast computers.  Learn more

  
  

Norway

Edvard Moser

• Specialty: Neuroscience

• Why He’s a Star: Nobel Prize winner Edvard Moser’s discovery of brain "GPS cells" could revolutionize our understanding of spatial memory. In 2025, his work could pave the way for AI navigation systems that mimic human cognition.  Learn more

  
  

May-Britt Moser

• Specialty: Neuroscience

• Why She’s a Star: As Edvard’s partner both in life and science, May-Britt Moser’s research on brain mapping holds incredible promise for treating Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders. Her contributions in 2025 could lead to breakthroughs in brain health.  Learn more

  
  

United Kingdom

Sir Tim Berners-Lee

• Specialty: Computer Science

• Why He’s a Star: The inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee is now championing the Solid project, which seeks to give individuals control over their personal data. In 2025, this project could have far-reaching implications for digital privacy and AI ethics.  Learn more

  
  

Multi-National Titans

Jennifer Doudna (UK-born, global impact)

• Specialty: Biochemistry, CRISPR Technology

• Why She’s a Star: Co-inventor of CRISPR-Cas9, Jennifer Doudna’s work continues to reshape the landscape of gene editing. In 2025, her ongoing collaborations may expand the applications of CRISPR, especially in medicine and agriculture.  Learn more

  
  

Ada Yonath (Israel, European ties)

• Specialty: Structural Biology

• Why She’s a Star: Ada Yonath’s Nobel-winning work on ribosomes has opened new doors in the field of antibiotics. In 2025, she could lead the charge in developing new antibiotics to combat the growing threat of drug resistance.  Learn more

  
  

What’s Next?

This list is just a glimpse of the extraordinary minds driving scientific progress across Europe. From quantum science to AI, biomedicine, and beyond, these innovators are poised to make a significant impact in 2025 and beyond.

While this lineup is speculative, it is grounded in the incredible work these scientists are already doing. Stay tuned for the official rankings at the year’s end, and in the meantime, keep an eye on these 20 scientific stars.

Who are you most excited to follow? Let us know in the comments!