Distinguished professors named WLA laureates

Jon Kleinberg, a professor of Computer Science &Information Science at Cornell University, and Professor Jeremy Nathans at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, win the 2024 World Laureates Association Prize. (Provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

The World Laureates Association Prize has announced its laureates for 2024, recognizing the exceptional contributions of Professor Jon Kleinberg from Cornell University and Professor Jeremy Nathans from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The awards were unveiled during a news conference in Shanghai, during which the two laureates were present via video link.

Established at the 4th WLA Forum on Nov 1, 2021, the WLA Prize is an international science award initiated by the World Laureates Association, and exclusively funded by venture capital firm HongShan. Each year, the prize honors outstanding individuals in the fields of computer science or mathematics, life science and medicine, with a total award of 10 million yuan ($1.39 million) for each category.

Kleinberg, a distinguished professor in computer and information science at Cornell University, was awarded the 2024 WLA Prize in Computer Science or Mathematics. Recognized for his seminal contributions at the intersection of computer science and social science, he has demonstrated intellectual leadership in areas such as social networks and algorithmic fairness. His research has not only advanced these disciplines but has also paved the way for collaborative efforts to address complex societal challenges.

Through the video link, Kleinberg expressed his appreciation for the award as the recognition of the essential role that mathematics and computing play in modern society. Emphasizing the dual nature of algorithms as powerful tools that can bring both benefits and harm based on design choices, he highlighted the responsibility of technologists to ensure that algorithms and technologies lead to positive outcomes for all individuals.

"I think the responsibility that we have as computer scientist mathematicians is to ensure that in the algorithms and technology we build, the design choices we make lead to better outcomes for all people," Kleinberg said.

Nathans, a molecular neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, won the 2024 WLA Prize in Life Science and Medicine. His groundbreaking research into genes, regulation and plasticity underlying human color vision has significantly advanced the world's understanding of vision science. His discoveries have not only shed light on color vision and color blindness but have also provided insights into retinal diseases and the complexities of the visual system.

During the news conference, Nathans reflected on the influence of his father, Nobel laureate Daniel Nathans, on his scientific journey.

The new WLA laureate said his father was "a very deep thinker" and "highly original".

"He liked to define what he thought would be interesting, scientific questions, independent of what else was going on in the field that he liked," he said. "I was very much influenced by that style."

As a celebrated molecular neuroscientist, Nathans emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary collaborations in scientific research, underscoring the value of dialogue and interaction in the pursuit of knowledge.

Both laureates will be present at the 2024 WLA Prize Award Ceremony in Shanghai on Oct 25 to receive their accolades.

The WLA Prize, which has been presented annually since 2022, continues its tradition of celebrating groundbreaking research and innovation, ensuring that exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the scientific community receive the recognition they deserve.