China unveils winners of prize for global scientists

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The winners of the 2026 World Laureates Foundation Prize announced in Shanghai, China, September 10, 2026. /CMG

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The winners of the 2026 World Laureates Foundation Prize (WLF Prize) were announced in Shanghai on Thursday, with a total of 11 scientists honored, the most in the award's history, following the introduction of a new prize category.

Established in 2021, the WLF Prize is an international science award recognizing exceptional individuals in the fields of computer science, mathematics, life science or medicine.

Ingrid Daubechies of Duke University won the 2026 WLF Prize in Computer Science or Mathematics for her major contributions to applied harmonic analysis, wavelet theory and image compression, as well as her leadership in the international mathematics community.

Yuan Junying of the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Wang Xiaodong and Shao Feng of the National Institute of Biological Sciences, and Vishva Dixit at Genentech Inc. won the 2026 WLF Prize in Life Science or Medicine.

They shared the award for elucidating the molecular pathways of distinct forms of programmed cell death and analyzing how those pathways govern diverse physiological functions and disease pathogenesis.

Shao was the first Chinese national to win the award.

The prize introduced a new category this year. Six young scientists under 40 won the WLF Prize for Young Scientists. 

While spotlighting frontier breakthroughs in basic science, this year's prize selection also actively focused on the development of disruptive technologies and the application of innovative achievements.

"The WLF Prize also encourages important contributions to theories. Many applications we see today may stem from mathematics developed decades or even a century ago. So there should be greater investments in this area, which will provide more important safeguards for the development of our large models in industrial applications, safety, and other aspects," said Hua Xiansheng, executive dean of the Institute of Engineering Intelligence, Tongji University.

The formal award presentation will take place during the World Laureates Forum scheduled for October 30 to November 1 in Shanghai.