China unveils winners of WLA Prize in boost to global basic research

SHANGHAI -- The World Laureates Association Prize (WLA Prize) announced its 2025 winners on Wednesday, with three scientists honored for groundbreaking work in life science, medicine, and mathematical sciences.

Scott Emr, professor of molecular biology and genetics at Cornell University, and Wesley Sundquist, professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah, shared the WLA Prize in Life Science or Medicine.

They are recognized for their breakthrough discoveries in the cellular mechanisms of receptor membrane protein transport and degradation, which are closely related to virus budding, infection processes, and HIV drug interventions.

The WLA Prize in Computer Science or Mathematics was awarded to Richard Schoen, professor emeritus at Stanford University's School of Humanities and Sciences, for his contributions to geometric analysis and differential geometry.

The WLA Prize is an international science award established in Shanghai in 2021. It features two categories, each with a prize of 10 million yuan (around $1.41 million), making it one of the highest-funded scientific awards in the world. It aims to recognize and support outstanding researchers and technologists globally for their significant contributions to science.