Infosys Science Foundation awards Infosys Prize 2021 to winners in six fields

NEW DELHI: The Infosys Science Foundation awarded the Infosys Prize 2021 today to six winners for their contributions to science and research. The winners were awarded in six fields - engineering and computer science, humanities, life sciences, mathematical sciences, physical sciences and social sciences.

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“Studying the effects of climate change on fragile ecosystems and contributing to more effective conservation strategies, designing a robust indigenous platform for rapid testing of deadly diseases like COVID-19 and TB, understanding the nuclear force to better harness nuclear energy for the benefit of humankind, and addressing issues such as sexual violence and jurisprudence in our society” were some of the key points taken into consideration for the prize.

Chief guest, Gagandeep Kang FRS, professor at CMC Vellore, Infosys Prize laureate 2016, and one of India’s virologists felicitated the winners.

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Various laureates of the Infosys Prize have occupied top positions in academia and the top ranks of government, and won renowned international honors like the Nobel Prize in Economics, the Fields Medal, and the Macarthur ‘Genius’ Grant, said a statement from ISF.

Kris Gopalakrishnan, President, Infosys Science Foundation, said: “The Infosys Science Foundation has recognized excellence for the last 13 years. By recognizing and celebrating the creativity and innovation of these remarkable individuals, we hope to inspire and encourage others and society at large...With the Infosys Prize, we not only reward apparent breakthroughs but also the far-reaching potential of the work of these stellar researchers and scholars.”

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Addressing the ceremony, Kang said: “...Recognition of exploration, innovation, and response to scientific and societal challenges is the goal of the Infosys Prize. Awards such as these create role models of science and scholarship that future generations can emulate. The Infosys Science Foundation goes beyond the awards to create the opportunities for sharing of the journey of exploration, the many failures and occasional triumphs, and the value of both experiences.”

Professor Arvind (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) was awarded for engineering and computer science; Professor Kaushik Basu (Cornell University and former SVP, World Bank) for social sciences; Professor Akeel Bilgrami (Columbia University) for humanities; Professor Chandrashekhar Khare (University of California, Los Angeles) for mathematical sciences; Professor Shrinivas Kulkarni (California Institute of Technology) for physical sciences; and Professor Mriganka Sur (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) for life sciences.