NEWS – The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2024, highlighting the achievements of six young researchers under 40 across diverse disciplines.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Prize Details

• Award categories: Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
• Recognition includes:
  • A gold medal
  • A citation
  • Prize money of USD 100,000 (or equivalent in INR).

Strategic Shift in Focus

• This year, the ISF introduced a focus on recognizing early-career researchers under 40.
• Emphasizes the importance of nurturing young talent for paradigm-shifting discoveries.
• Kris Gopalakrishnan, President of ISF, highlighted the foundational role of early recognition in shaping the future of research and science.

2024 INFOSYS PRIZE LAUREATES

Economics

• Awardee: Arun Chandrasekhar, Professor, Stanford University
• Research Focus: Social and economic networks
  • Methodology: Application of machine learning and computer science techniques.
  • Contribution: Mapping network data from Karnataka villages, offering insights for development economics and policymaking.

Engineering and Computer Science

• Awardee: Shyam Gollakota, Professor, University of Washington
• Research Focus: Interdisciplinary innovations in technology
  • Key Contributions:
    • Smartphone-based affordable healthcare tools
    • Battery-free computing
    • AI-driven auditory augmentation
  • Impact: Transforming public health and communication technology in low-income regions.

Humanities and Social Sciences

• Awardee: Mahmood Kooria, Lecturer, University of Edinburgh
• Research Focus: Maritime Islam and early Kerala history
  • Key Contributions:
    • Study of Islamic law’s role in socio-economic transformations across the Indian Ocean.
    • Insights into the legal frameworks shaping global economic systems.

Life Sciences

• Awardee: Siddhesh Kamat, Associate Professor, IISER Pune
• Research Focus: Bioactive lipids and their receptors
  • Contributions:
    • Examining metabolic and signaling pathways of lipids.
    • Potential to unlock treatments for diseases related to cellular dysfunction.

Mathematical Sciences

• Awardee: Neena Gupta, Professor, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata
• Research Focus: Solution to the Zariski Cancellation Problem
  • Significance:
    • Solved a long-standing problem in algebraic geometry posed in 1949.
    • Advanced understanding of affine varieties in positive characteristic.

Physical Sciences

• Awardee: Vedika Khemani, Associate Professor, Stanford University
• Research Focus: Non-equilibrium quantum matter
  • Contributions:
    • Discovery of time-crystals with potential applications in quantum computing.
    • Bridged theoretical insights and experimental applications in quantum physics