Infosys Prize 2024 honours six researchers under 40

The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) celebrated outstanding achievements in research and innovation by awarding the Infosys Prize 2024 to six scholars during a felicitation ceremony here on Saturday.

In its 16th year, the eligibility criteria were revised to honour researchers under the age of 40, emphasising early recognition for exceptional talent. The winners were felicitated for their work across six disciplines: economics, engineering and computer science, humanities and social sciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences, and physical sciences.

The 2024 prize for economics was awarded to Arun Chandrasekhar of Stanford University for his work on social and economic networks. His research, which includes data mapping from Karnataka villages, offers insights into network roles in economic development and policymaking.

The prize for engineering and computer science went to Shyam Gollakota of the University of Washington for innovations such as smartphone-based healthcare tools and battery-free computing, addressing critical societal needs.

Mahmood Kooria of the University of Edinburgh received the prize for humanities and social sciences for his work on maritime Islam, particularly its economic and cultural impact along the Indian Ocean littoral.

The prize for life sciences was awarded to Siddhesh Kamat of IISER, Pune, for his research on bioactive lipids, revealing their significance in cellular functions and diseases.

Neena Gupta from the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, was recognised for resolving the Zariski cancellation problem, a longstanding challenge in algebraic geometry.

Finally, Vedika Khemani of Stanford University was awarded for her work on time-crystals, with potential implications for quantum computing.

The chief guest for the ceremony was Peter Sarnak, known for his work on number theory, from Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study, who conferred the awards. Each winner received a gold medal, a citation, and a purse of $100,000. 

Commending the laureates in his address, Professor Sarnak said: “Recognising the achievements of these young scholars, whose brilliant research has advanced and shaped their fields, is an inspiration to students both in India and globally. The annual recognition of such world-leading scholars by the Infosys Science Foundation is a testament to the immense talent and impact of Indian and global researchers.”

The event was attended by other scientists, academicians, business leaders, young researchers, and students. Trustees of the Infosys Science Foundation, including Kris Gopalakrishnan (president, board of trustees), Narayana Murthy, and Nandan Nilekani, were present to celebrate the laureates’ achievements.

Highlighting the foundation’s new direction, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said: “This year’s focus on early-career researchers reflects our commitment to driving innovation and inspiring the next generation of scientists to tackle the world’s critical challenges. These laureates exemplify the transformative potential of science to create a better and more sustainable future.” 

A day before the winners were felicitated, the foundation hosted the fourth edition of the Infosys Prize Winners’ Symposium, where laureates presented their research to peers and senior academicians.

The winners were selected by jury panels chaired by leading academics, including Jayathi Y. Murthy (engineering and computer science) and Kaushik Basu (economics).

The evening ended with a note of thanks by Salil Parekh, CEO of Infosys and a trustee of Infosys Science Foundation.

Published - January 11, 2025 11:23 pm IST