Women scientists bag 2023 King Faisal Prize for Medicine, Science laureates

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- Two women scientists were awarded the King Faisal Prize for Medicine and Science laureates for their significant and priceless contributions to humankind in the areas of medicine and science.

According to a statement, the prize recognised COVID-19 vaccine developers, nanotechnology scientists and eminent figures in each of its Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies and Service to Islam categories.

A Covid-19 vaccine developer, Professor Sarah Gilbert and a nanotechnology scientist, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying were selected to receive the King Faisal Prize in medicine and science, respectively.

The woman behind Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Gilbert has co-created the vaccine which has been in use in more than 180 countries saving billions of lives due to its efficiency, low cost and accessibility.

Meanwhile, Dr Ying was chosen for her work on the synthesis of various advanced nanomaterials and systems, and their applications in catalysis, energy conversion and biomedicine. Her inventions have been used to solve challenges in different fields of medicine, chemistry and energy.

Dr Gilbert is the Saïd Chair of Vaccinology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford University, while Dr Ying is the A*STAR Senior Fellow and Director at NanoBio Lab, Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

Six more people were named King Faisal Prize laureates for having enriched humanity with key and invaluable achievements and discoveries in the fields of Medicine, Science, Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, and Serving Islam.

Two other Medicine and Science Prize laureates selected for 2023 were Professor Dan Barouch and Professor Chad Mirkin, respectively.

Professor Abdelfattah Kilito was announced the laureate for the Arabic Language and Literature prize focusing on “Classical Arabic Narrative and Modern Theories”, while Professor Robert Hillenbrand won the Islamic Studies prize in “Islamic Architecture”.

As for the Service to Islam Prize, Professor Choi Young Kil-Hamed and His Excellency Shaikh Nasser Abdullah Al Zaabi were this year’s laureates.

Each prize laureate is endowed with US$200 thousand; a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams; and a Certificate inscribed with the Laureate’s name and a summary of their work which qualified them for the prize. (US$1=RM4.40)

-- BERNAMA