Hong Kong Science Museum's "The Shaw Prize 2021 Exhibition" showcases laureates' achievements in scientific research
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Established in 2002, the Shaw Prize consists of three annual awards, namely the Prize in Astronomy, the Prize in Life Science and Medicine and the Prize in Mathematical Sciences. It is an international award to honour individuals who are currently active in their respective fields, have made outstanding contributions in academic and scientific research or applications, have recently achieved distinguished and significant advances, or have achieved excellence in other domains.
The Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine 2021 is awarded to the Frank HT Rhodes Class of 1956 Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Director of the Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, the United States, Professor Scott D Emr. His remarkable discovery of the pathway and mechanism of the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport has contributed to further study of diseases including viral dissemination and those which are neurodegenerative.
The Shaw Prize in Astronomy 2021 is awarded in equal shares to two female scholars: the Professor of Physics and Director of McGill Space Institute, McGill University, Canada, Professor Victoria M Kaspi; and the Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics at George Washington University, the United States, Professor Chryssa Kouveliotou. They developed new and precise observational techniques which enabled them to confirm the existence of neutron stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields. Their work has established magnetars as a new and important class of astrophysical objects.
The two Shaw Laureates in Mathematical Sciences 2021 are the Emeritus Professor of the Mathematics Department of the Université Paris-Saclay of France, Professor Jean-Michel Bismut; and the Silver Professor of Mathematics at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, the United States, Professor Jeff Cheeger. They solved long-standing open problems in geometry. They also introduced important new ideas and built tools which have greatly extended possibilities in modern geometry, and as a result have transformed the subject.
The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Shaw Prize Foundation, and is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Education City.
The exhibition will run until January 5 next year at the Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon. For exhibition details, please visit the website at hk.science.museum/ms/shaw2021, or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.
According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their name, contact number and date and time of entry before being allowed to enter the museum for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. An appeal is made by the LCSD to visitors to download the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app in advance and scan the QR code with the app before entering. Visitors who opt for registering their personal information at the scene are reminded to arrive early to avoid delaying their visit, as a longer time is required for such registration. In line with the latest government arrangement, except for exempted persons, visitors to the museums under the LCSD are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code from November 1.
In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the museum will apply a quota to limit visitor flow. Visitors to the museum will need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to temperature checks before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Children under 12 will only be allowed to enter the museum and exhibition facilities when accompanied by an adult.
Ends/Thursday, October 28, 2021
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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