Infosys Prize 2020, which consists of a gold medal, a citation and a purse of 100,000 dollars, has been announced by Infosys Science Foundation. The award aims at recognising outstanding achievements of contemporary researchers and scientists across six categories namely engineering and computer science, humanities, life sciences, mathematical sciences, physical sciences and social sciences.
The winners of the Infosys Prize 2020, who were handpicked from 257 nominations, were announced by chairs of the jury and felicitated by the chief guest, Prof. SR Srinivasa Varadhan - Abel Prize winner and Professor, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York, USA. Narayana Murthy, founder – Infosys, president – Infosys Science Foundation, said: “The trustees of the Infosys Science Foundation dream of an India where the poorest children can have reasonable access to nutrition, education, healthcare and shelter, and have confidence in a better future. For that, we need well thought out and impactful ideas that are speedily executed without corruption. Developed countries have succeeded mainly by improving their higher education and research systems. The Infosys Prize contributes to this mission in India by honoring the best scientists and researchers, whose work has the potential to improve our world.”
Winners of the Infosys Prize 2020
Engineering and Computer Science
Prof. Hari Balakrishnan: The Infosys Prize 2020 in Engineering and Computer Science is awarded to Prof. Hari Balakrishnan from Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his broad contributions to computer networking, and his seminal work on mobile and wireless systems. Balakrishnan’s commercial use of mobile telematics improve driver behavior and make roads safer.
Humanities
Dr. Prachi Deshpande: The Infosys Prize 2020 in Humanities is awarded to Dr. Prachi Deshpande from the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences (CSSS), Kolkata for her nuanced and sophisticated treatment of South Asian historiography. Dr. Deshpande’s book Creative Pasts and many articles provide fine insight into the evolution of modern history writing in Maharashtra from the Maratha period onwards, and offer a novel perspective on the history of Western India.
Life Sciences
Dr. Rajan Sankaranarayanan: The Infosys Prize 2020 in Life Sciences is awarded to Dr. Rajan Sankaranarayanan from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad for fundamental contributions towards understanding one of the most basic mechanisms in biology, the error-free translation of the genetic code to make protein molecules. Dr. Sankaranarayanan's work has potential applications in the design of drugs such as antibiotics and immunosuppressants.
Mathematical Sciences
Prof. Sourav Chatterjee: The Infosys Prize 2020 in Mathematical Sciences is awarded to Prof. Sourav Chatterjee from Stanford University for his groundbreaking work in probability and statistical physics. Prof. Chatterjee’s collaborative work has played a critical role in areas such as the emerging body of work on large deviations for random graphs.
Physical Sciences
Prof. Arindam Ghosh: The Infosys Prize 2020 in Physical Sciences is awarded to Prof. Arindam Ghosh from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore for his development of atomically thin two-dimensional semiconductors to build a new generation of functional electronic, thermoelectric and optoelectronic devices. Prof. Ghosh’s creation of a new platform for light-matter interaction impacts quantum technologies and sensing in a fundamental way.
Social Sciences
Prof. Raj Chetty: The Infosys Prize 2020 in Social Sciences is awarded to Prof. Raj Chetty from Harvard University for his pioneering research in identifying barriers to economic opportunity, and for developing solutions that help people escape poverty towards improved life outcomes. Prof. Chetty’s research and extraordinary ability to discern patterns in large data have the potential to induce major shifts in the discipline of Economics.