Introduction

• The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters has announced the 2024 Kavli Prize Laureates in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.

• This prestigious award honors outstanding research that broadens our understanding of the universe, from the vast cosmos to the microscopic world and the complexities of the brain.

• The laureates in each field will share a $1 million prize.

Background of the Kavli Prize

• First awarded in 2008, the Kavli Prize is a collaboration between The Kavli Foundation, The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.

• Its funding comes from The Kavli Foundation, established in 2000 by Fred Kavli, a Norwegian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist.

• The Kavli Corporation, founded by Kavli in 1958, grew to become a major supplier of sensors for various industries, which provided the foundation for his philanthropic endeavors.

Kavli Prize in Astrophysics

• The 2024 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics was awarded to Sara Seager and David Charbonneau for their groundbreaking discoveries of exoplanets and the characterization of their atmospheres.

• Their pioneering methods for detecting atomic species in planetary atmospheres and measuring thermal infrared emissions have set the stage for identifying molecular fingerprints in both giant and rocky planets.

• This work has been instrumental in the progress made over the last 20 years in the exploration of exoplanets.

Sara Seager

• Professor of Physics, Planetary Science, and Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, holding the Class of 1941 Professor Chair.

• Earned her Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University and specializes in the study of exoplanets.

David Charbonneau

• Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University, where he earned his Ph.D.

• Conducted post-doctoral research at the California Institute of Technology and is known for his pioneering work in observing exoplanetary movement and atmospheres.

Kavli Prize in Nanoscience

• Three American scientists were jointly awarded the Kavli Prize in Nanoscience for their breakthroughs in combining nanostructured synthetic materials with biologically active molecules, advancing the field of nanomedicine.

Robert S. Langer

• Sc.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT, faculty member since 1978, and author of over 1,250 articles.

• His patents have been licensed to over 250 companies in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices.

Armand Paul Alivisatos

• President of the University of Chicago and holder of the John D. MacArthur Distinguished Service Professorship.

• Known for his research in the physical chemistry of nanocrystals, Alivisatos previously served as provost of UC Berkeley and director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Chad A. Mirkin

• Director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology and Professor at Northwestern University.

• Earned his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University and has authored over 870 manuscripts, been issued more than 430 patents, and founded multiple companies.

Kavli Prize in Neuroscience

• The Kavli Prize in Neuroscience was awarded to Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald, and Doris Tsao for their discovery of a specialized area of the brain responsible for facial recognition.

Nancy Kanwisher

• Walter A. Rosenblith Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at MIT and founding member of the McGovern Institute.

• Earned her Ph.D. from MIT and is a leading authority on brain regions responsible for processing various stimuli.

Winrich Freiwald

• Denise A. and Eugene W. Chinery Professor of Neurosciences and Behavior at The Rockefeller University.

• Co-directs the Price Family Center for the Social Brain and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Tübingen.

Doris Tsao

• Professor at the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at UC Berkeley.

• Completed her Ph.D. at Harvard University and has led research groups at the Institute for Brain Research in Bremen and Caltech.

Significance of the 2024 Kavli Prize

• "The Kavli Prize 2024 honors outstanding researchers doing fundamental science that moves the world forward," said Lise Øvreås, president of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

• These laureates are recognized for their contributions to astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience, which have significantly advanced our understanding of the universe, biological systems, and the human brain.

Conclusion

• The 2024 Kavli Prize highlights the critical importance of fundamental research in expanding our knowledge and capabilities in various scientific fields.

• The achievements of this year's laureates underscore the profound impact that dedicated scientific inquiry can have on society, from exploring distant planets to advancing medical technology and unraveling the complexities of the human mind.

• These awards not only honor the individual scientists but also emphasize the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of modern scientific discovery.