Our graduate from the Master’s programme in Architectural Lighting Design (ALD) has been awarded the prize, worth 1,500 euros, from the German Society for Lighting Technology and Lighting Design (LiTG) in the dissertation category. The Society is thereby recognising a thesis that addresses key ecological challenges in lighting design and formulates scientifically sound solutions.
The award-winning dissertation, “The Environmental Impact of Artificial Lighting in Urban Settings: Gaps, Challenges and Sustainable Lighting Design”, focuses on the effects of artificial lighting on aquatic ecology. Vega’s research includes, among other things, measurements of light pollution along Berlin’s River Spree, the assessment of ecological effects on migratory fish species, and the development of sustainable lighting solutions near water bodies, with a particular focus on the study of illuminated bridges.
Today, Dr Catherine Pérez Vega supports local authorities, organisations and planning teams in integrating biodiversity thresholds and principles of nocturnal ecology into lighting concepts. Her research highlights practical ways in which urban lighting design can be implemented in a more environmentally friendly manner without neglecting functional requirements.
Our University of Applied Science Wismar supported Vega’s doctoral project in its early stages through an internal Doctoral Scholarships and supervised her at the Faculty of Architecture and Design under Prof. Michael F. Rohde. The success of our former doctoral candidate highlights our UAS’s contribution at the intersection of lighting design, sustainability and cooperation with external research partners.
The award ceremony took place on 21 November 2025 as part of the LiTG General Assembly at the DIN German Institute for Standardisation in Berlin. The prize recognises dissertations of high scientific quality, innovation and professional relevance.