Laureates of the Japan Prize
| Year | Field | Photo | Name (b.-d.) | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Nationality]Affiliation (Titles at the time) |
No Laureates up to now
| Year | Field | Photo | Name (b.-d.) | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Nationality]Affiliation (Titles at the time) | ||||
|
2020 |
Electronics, Information, Communication |  |
Prof. Robert G. Gallager (1931-) | Pioneering contribution to information and coding theory |
| [USA]Professor Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology | ||||
|
2019 |
Biological Production, Ecology |  |
Prof. Rattan Lal (1944-) | Sustainable soil management for global food security and mitigation of climate change |
| [USA] Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science Director, Carbon Management and Sequestration Center The Ohio State University |
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|
2018 |
Medical Science and Medicinal Science |  |
Dr. Max D. Cooper (1933-) | Discovery of B and T lymphocyte lineages and its impact on understanding disease pathology and therapeutic development (Joint Award) |
| [USA] Professor, Emory University School of Medicine | ||||
|
2017 |
Life Science |  |
Dr. Jennifer A. Doudna (1964-) | Elucidation of the genome editing mechanism by the CRISPR-Cas (Joint Award) |
| [USA] Professor, University of California, Berkeley | ||||
|
2016 |
Biological Production and Biological Environment |  |
Dr. Steven D. Tanksley (1954-) | Contribution to modern crop breeding through research on development of molecular genetic analysis |
| [USA]Professor Emeritus, Cornell University | ||||
|
2015 |
Medical Science and Medicinal Science |  |
Dr. Theodore Friedmann (1935-) | Proposal of the concept of gene therapy and its clinical applications (Joint Award) |
| [USA] Professor of Pediatrics University of California San Diego, School of Medicine | ||||
|
2014 |
Life Science |  |
Dr. C. David Allis (1951-) | Discovery of histone modifications as fundamental regulators of gene expression |
| [USA]Joy and Jack Fishman Professor, The Rockefeller University | ||||
|
2013 |
Materials and Production |  |
Prof. C. Grant Willson (1939-) | Development of chemically amplified resist polymer materials for innovative semiconductor manufacturing process |
| [USA] Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Rashid Engineering Regent Chair The University of Texas at Austin | ||||
 |
Prof. Jean M. J. Fréchet (1944-) | |||
| [USA] Vice- President for Research King Abdullah University of Science and Technology | ||||
| Biological Production and Biological Environment |  |
Dr. John Frederick Grassle(1939-) | Contribution to marine environmental conservation through research on ecology and biodiversity of deep-sea organisms | |
| [USA] Professor Emeritus, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | ||||
| 2012 (28th)  |
Healthcare and Medical Technology |  |
Dr. Janet D. Rowley (USA) (1925-2013) | Development of a new therapeutic drug targeting cancer-specific molecules |
| [USA] Blum-Riese Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine, Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology and Human Genetics, The University of Chicago | ||||
 |
Dr. Brian J. Druker (1955-) | |||
| [USA] Professor and Director of OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University | ||||
 |
Dr. Nicholas B. Lydon (1957-) | |||
[USA] Founder and Director Blueprint Medicines |
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| 2011 (27th) |
Information and Communications |  |
Dr. Dennis M. Ritchie (1941-2011) | Development of the operating system, UNIX |
| [USA] Distinguished Member of Technical Staff Emeritus, Bell Labs | ||||
 |
Dr. Ken L. Thompson (1943-) | |||
| [USA] Distinguished Engineer, Google Inc. | ||||
| 2010 (26th) |
Biological Production and Environment |  |
Prof. Peter Vitousek (1949-) | Contributions to solving global environmental issues based on the analysis of nitrogen and other substances' cycles |
| [USA] Professor of Biology, Stanford University | ||||
| 2009 (25th) |
Transformation towards a Sustainable Society in Harmony with Nature |  |
Dr. Dennis L. Meadows (1942-) | Contribution towards a sustainable world as founded in the 1972 Report titled The Limits to Growth |
| [USA] Professor Emeritus of Systems Policy, University of New Hampshire President,Laboratory for Interactive Learning | ||||
| Technological Integration of Medical Science and Engineering |  |
Dr. David E. Kuhl (1929-) | Contribution to tomographic imaging in nuclear medicine | |
| [USA] Professor, Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School | ||||
| 2008 (24th) |
Information Communication Theory and Technology |  |
Dr. Vinton G.Cerf (1943-) | Creation of network architecture and communication protocol for the Internet |
| [USA] Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google Inc. | ||||
 |
Dr. Robert E.Kahn (1938-) | |||
| [USA] Chairman, CEO & President of Corporation for National Research Initiatives | ||||
| Medical Genomics and Genetics |  |
Dr. Victor A. McKusick (1921-2008) | Establishment of medical genetics and contributions to its development | |
| [USA] University Professor of Medical Genetics, the McKusick- Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University | ||||
| 2005 (21st) |
Cell Biology |  |
Dr. Erkki Ruoslahti (1940-) | Fundamental contribution in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion |
| [USA] Distinguished Professor, The Burnham Institute | ||||
| 2003 (19th) |
Science and Technology of Complexity |  |
Dr. Benoit B. Mandelbrot (1924-2010) | Creation of universal concepts in complex systems-chaos and fractals |
| [USA] Sterling Professor of Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics Department, Yale University IBM Fellow Emeritus, TJ Watson Research Center, International Business Machines Corporation | ||||
 |
Dr. James A. Yorke (1941-) | |||
| [USA] Dist inguished University Professor of Mathematics and Physics, Institute for Physical Sciences and Technology, University of Maryland | ||||
| 2001 (17th) |
Science and Technology of Environment Conscious Materials |  |
Dr. John B. Goodenough (1922-) | Discovery of environmentally benign electrode materials for high energy density rechargeable lithium batteries |
| [USA] Professor, University of Texas | ||||
| Marine Biology |  |
Dr. Timothy R. Parsons (1932-) | Contribution to the development of biological / fisheries oceanography and for conservation of fishery resources and marine environment | |
| [Canada] Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia | ||||
| 2000 (16th) |
City Planning |  |
Prof. Ian L. McHarg (1920-2001) | Establishment of an ecological city planning process and proposal of a land use evaluation system |
| [USA] Professor Emeritus, Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, University of Pennsylvania | ||||
| 1999 (15th) |
Information Technologies |  |
Dr. W. Wesley Peterson (1924-2009) | Establishment of coding theory for reliable digital communication, broadcasting and storage |
| [USA] Professor of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa | ||||
| Molecular Recognition and Dynamics in Bioscience |  |
Dr. Jack L. Strominger (1925-) | Elucidation of the three-dimensional structures of class I and class II human histocompatibility antigens and their bound peptides | |
| [USA] Higgins Professor of Biochmistry, Harvard University | ||||
 |
Dr. Don C. Wiley (1944-2001) | |||
| [USA] John L. Loeb Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Harvard University | ||||
| 1997 (13th) |
 |
Dr. Joseph F. Engelberger (1925-2015) | Establishment of the robot industry and creation of a techno-global paradigm |
|
[USA] Chairman and Director, HelpMate Robotics Inc. |
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| Biotechnology in Medicine |  |
Dr. Bruce N. Ames (1928-) | Contribution to establishment of fundamental concept on causes of cancer | |
[USA] Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Berkeley |
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| 1996 (12th) |
Information, Computer and Communication Systems |  |
Dr. Charles K. Kao (1933-) | For pioneering research on wideband, low-loss optical fiber communications |
| [USA] Vice-Chancellor and President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong | ||||
| 1995 (11th) |
Materials Processing Technologies |  |
Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr. (1928-) | Outstanding contributions to research and practical applications of light emitting diodes and lasers through pioneering achievements in the understanding of physical principles and in the process technology of intermetallic compound semiconductors |
| [USA] Professor, Center for Advanced Study, John Bardeen Chair Professor, University of Illinois | ||||
| Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery which conserves the Environment |  |
Dr. Edward F. Knipling (1909-2000) | Pioneer contributions in the development of integrated pest management by the sterile insect release method and other biological approaches | |
| [USA] Retired Director, Entomology Research Division, Agricultural Research Service | ||||
| 1994 (10th) |
Aerospace Technologies |  |
Dr. William Hayward Pickering (1910-2004) | Inspirational leadership in unmanned lunar and planetary exploration, and for pioneering achievements in the development of spacecraft and deep space communications |
| [USA] Professor Emeritus of the California Institute of Technology | ||||
| 1993 (9th) |
Safety Engineering and Disaster Mitigation |  |
Dr. Frank Press (1924-) | Development of modern seismology and advancement of international cooperation in disaster science |
| [USA] President of U.S. National Academy of Sciences | ||||
| Molecular and Cellular Technology in Medicine |  |
Dr. Kary B. Mullis (1944-) | Development of the polymerase chain reaction | |
| [USA] Founder and Vice President Research, Atomic Tags, Inc. | ||||
| 1991 (7th) |
Imaging Techniques in Medicine |  |
Dr. John Julian Wild (1914-2009) | Development of ultrasound imaging in medicine |
| [USA] M.D., Ph.D., FAIUM, Head, Physicomedical Institute, Minneapolis | ||||
| 1990 (6th) |
Technology of Integration- Design, Production and Control Technologies |  |
Dr. Marvin Minsky (1927-2016) | Establishment of an academic field named Artificial Intelligence and the proposal of fundamental theories in that field |
| [USA] Professor of Electrical Engineering, MIT | ||||
| Earth Science |  |
Dr. William Jason Morgan (1935-) | Initiation of the theory of plate tectonics and contributions to its development | |
| [USA] Professor at Princeton University | ||||
| 1989 (5th) |
Environmental Science and Technology |  |
Dr. Frank Sherwood Rowland (1927-2012) | Studies on the mechanisms of stratospheric ozone depletion by chlorofluorocarbons |
| [USA] Profesor at University of California, Irvine | ||||
| Medicinal Science |  |
Dr. Elias James Corey (1925-) | Pioneering contributions to the syntheses of prostaglandins and their related compounds which are of great therapeutic value | |
| [USA] Professor at Harvard University | ||||
| 1988 (4th) |
Preventative Medicine |  |
Dr. Donald A. Henderson (1928-) | The eradication of smallpox |
| [USA] Dean, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health | ||||
 |
Dr. Robert C. Gallo (1937-) | Discovery of the AIDS causing virus and development of diagnostic methods | ||
| [USA] Chief, Laboratory of Tumour Cell Biology, National Institute of Health | ||||
| 1987 (3rd) |
 |
Dr. Theodore H. Maiman (1927-2007) | Realization of the world's first laser |
|
[USA] Former chief of research at Hughes Research Laboratories President of Maiman Associates Inc. |
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| Improvement of Biological Functions |  |
Dr. Henry M. Beachell (1906-2006) | Development of the IR8 and IR36 strains for rice breeding strategies geared to the tropical and subtropical zones | |
| [USA] Former head of the Plant Breeding Department at the International Rice Research Institute Advisor to the Farms of Texas Company |
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| 1986 (2nd) |
Materials Science and Technology |  |
Dr. David Turnbull (1915-2007) | Pioneering contributions to materials science with impact on new materials technology such as amorphous solids |
| [USA] Professor at Harvard University | ||||
| Medical Technology |  |
Dr. Willem J. Kolff (1911-2009) | Research and development of artificial organs and their relevant technology | |
| [USA] Professor at the University of Utah. Head of the Institute for Biomedical Engineering | ||||
| 1985 (1st) |
Information and Communications |  |
Dr. John R. Pierce (1910-2002) | Outstanding achievement in the field of electronics and communications technologies |
| [USA] Professor Emeritus at Stanford University |
| Year | Field | Photo | Name (b.-d.) | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Nationality]Affiliation (Titles at the time) | ||||
|
2019 |
Materials and Production |  |
Prof. Yoshio Okamoto (1941 -) | Leading contributions to precision synthesis of helical polymers and development of practical chiral materials for separating chiral drugs |
| [Japan] University Professor of Nagoya University, Chair Professor of Harbin Engineering University, China |
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|
2018 |
Resources, Energy, Environment and Social Infrastructure |  |
Dr. Akira Yoshino (1948 -) | Development of lithium ion batteries |
| [Japan] Honorary Fellow, Asahi Kasei Corporation Professor, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Meijo University |
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|
2017 |
Electronics, Information and Communication |  |
Dr. Adi Shamir (1952 -) | Contribution to information security through pioneering research on cryptography |
| [Israel] Professor, Weizmann Institute of Science | ||||
|
2016 |
Materials and Production |  |
Dr. Hideo Hosono (1953-) | Creation of unconventional inorganic materials with novel electronic functions based on nano-structure engineering |
| [Japan]Professor of Frontier Materials Laboratory, the Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology Director, Materials Research Center of Element Strategy |
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|
2015 |
Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure |  |
Dr. Yutaka Takahasi (1927-) | Contribution to development of innovative concept on river basin management and reduction of water-related disasters |
| [Japan] Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo | ||||
|
2014 |
Electronics, Information and Communication |  |
Dr. Yasuharu Suematsu (1932-) | Pioneering research on semiconductor lasers for high-capacity long-distance optical fiber communication |
| [Japan]Honorary Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology | ||||
| 2012 (28th)
|
Environment, Energy and Infrastructure |  |
Dr. Masato Sagawa (1943-) | Developing the world's highest performing Nd-Fe-B type permanent magnet and contributing to energy conservation |
| [Japan] President, Intermetallics Co., Ltd. | ||||
| 2011 (27th) |
Bioscience and Medical Science |  |
Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto (1939-) | Discovery of interleukin-6 and its application in treating diseases |
| [Japan] Emeritus Professor, Osaka University | ||||
 |
Dr. Toshio Hirano (1947-) | |||
| [Japan] Professor, Osaka University | ||||
| 2010 (26th) |
Industrial Production and Production Technology |  |
Prof. Shun-ichi Iwasaki (1926-) | Contributions to high-density magnetic recording technology by the development of a perpendicular magnetic recording method |
| [Japan] Director, Tohoku Institute of Technology Professor Emeritus, Tohoku University | ||||
| 2006 (22nd) |
The Development of Novel Therapeutic Concepts and Technologies |  |
Dr. Akira Endo (1933-) | The discovery of the statins and their development |
| [Japan] Director, Biopharm Research Laboratories, Inc., Tokyo, Japan | ||||
| 2005 (21st) |
Information and Media Technology |  |
Dr. Makoto Nagao (1936-) | Pioneering contributions to natural language processing and intelligent image processing |
| [Japan] President, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology | ||||
| Cell Biology |  |
Dr. Masatoshi Takeichi (1943-) | Fundamental contribution in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion | |
| [Japan] Director of RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology | ||||
| 2004 (20th) |
Chemical Technology for the Environment |  |
Dr. Kenichi Honda (1925-2011) | Pioneering work on photochemical catalysis and its application for the environment |
| [Japan] Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo | ||||
 |
Dr. Akira Fujishima (1942-) | |||
| [Japan] Chairman, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology | ||||
| 2003 (19th) |
Visualizing Techniques in Medicine |  |
Dr. Seiji Ogawa (1934-) | Discovery of the principle for functional magnetic resonance imaging |
| [Japan]Director, Ogawa Laboratories for Brain Function Research, Hamano Life Science Research Foundation | ||||
| 2000 (16th) |
Host Defense |  |
Dr. Kimishige Ishizaka (1925-) | Discovery of Immunoglobulin E and mechanisms of IgE-mediated allergic reactions |
| [Japan] President Emeritus, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology | ||||
| 1998 (14th) |
Generation and Design of New Materials Creating Novel Functions |  |
Dr. Leo Esaki (1925-) | For the creation and realization of the concept of man-made superlattice crystals which lead to generation of new materials with useful applications |
| [Japan] Former President, University of Tsukuba | ||||
| 1997 (13th) |
 |
Dr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa (1933-) | Establishment of the robot industry and creation of a techno-global paradigm |
|
[Japan] Former President, The University of Tokyo |
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| Biotechnology in Medicine |  |
Dr. Takashi Sugimura (1926-) | Contribution to establishment of fundamental concept on causes of cancer | |
| [Japan] President Emer itus of National Cancer Center and President of Toho University | ||||
| 1996 (12th) |
Neuroscience |  |
Dr. Masao Ito (1928-2018) | Elucidation of the functional principles and neural mechanisms of the cerebellum |
| [Japan]Director-General, Frontier Research Program, The Insti tute of Physical and Chemical Research President, Science Council of Japan |
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| 1988 (4th) |
Preventative Medicine |  |
Dr. Isao Arita (1926-) | The eradication of smallpox |
| [Japan] Director, Kumamoto National Hospital | ||||
| 1987 (3rd) |
 |
Dr. Gurdev S. Khush (1935-) | Development of the IR8 and IR36 strains for rice breeding strategies geared to the tropical and subtropical zones |
|
[India] Head of the Plant Breeding Department at the International Rice Research Institute |
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| 1985 (1st) |
Biotechnology |  |
Dr. Ephraim Katchalski-Katzir (1916-2009) | Outstanding achievement in basic theory in the field of immobilized enzymes and their practical applications |
| [Israel] Professor at Tel Aviv University and at Weizmann Institute of Science |
| Year | Field | Photo | Name (b.-d.) | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Nationality]Affiliation (Titles at the time) | ||||
|
2020 |
Life Science |  |
Dr. Svante Pääbo (1955-) | Pioneering contributions to paleoanthropology through decoding ancient human genome sequences |
| [Sweden] Director, Department of Evolutionary Genetics Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology |
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|
2017 |
Life Science |  |
Prof. Emmanuelle Charpentier (1968-) | Elucidation of the genome editing mechanism by the CRISPR-Cas (Joint Award) |
| [France] Director, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology (Berlin) | ||||
|
2015 |
Medical Science and Medicinal Science |  |
Prof. Alain Fischer (1949-) | Proposal of the concept of gene therapy and its clinical applications (Joint Award) |
| [France] Professor at Collège de France Director of Institut Imagine, Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades |
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| 2007 (23rd) |
Innovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research |  |
Prof. Albert Fert (1938-) | The discovery of Giant Magneto-Resistance(GMR) and its contribution to development of innovative spin-electronics devices |
| [France] University of Paris-South | ||||
 |
Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg (1939-) | |||
| [Germany] The Research Center of Solid State Physics | ||||
| Science and Technology of Harmonious Co-Existence |
 |
Dr. Peter Shaw Ashton (1934-) | Contribution to the conservation of tropical forest | |
| [UK] Charles Bullard Professor of Forestry | ||||
| 2006 (22nd) |
Global Change |  |
Sir John Houghton (1931-) | For pioneeering research on atmospheric structure and composition based on his satellite observation technology and for promotion of international assessments of climate change |
| [UK] Honorary Scientist, Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research and Formerly Chief Executive, Meteorological Offi ce, U.K. | ||||
| 2004 (20th) |
Science and Technology for Conservation of Biodiversity |  |
Prof. John H. Lawton (1943-) | Observational, experimental and theoretical achievements for the scientific understanding and conservation of biodiversity |
| [UK] Chief Executive, Natural Environment Research Council | ||||
| 2002 (18th) |
Computing and Computational Science and Engineering |  |
Dr. Timothy John Berners-Lee (1955-) | Advancement of civilization through invention, implementation and deployment of the world wide web |
| [UK] Senior Research Scientist, Laboratory for Computer Science, M.I.T. | ||||
| Developmental Biology |  |
Dr. Anne McLaren (1927-2007) | Pioneering work on mammalian embryonic development | |
| [UK] Principal Research Associate, Wellcome Trust / CRC Institute | ||||
 |
Dr. Andrzej K. Tarkowski (1933-) | |||
| [Poland] Director of the Institute of Zoology, Warsaw University | ||||
| 1998 (14th) |
Biotechnology in Agricultural Sciences |  |
Prof. Dr. Jozef S. Schell (1935-2003) | Establishment of the theory and method of the production of transgenic plants |
| [Belgium] Director, Department of Genetic Principles of Plant Breeding, Max-Planck-Institute für Züechtungsforschung, Germany | ||||
 |
Dr. Marc C.E. Van Montagu (1933-) | |||
| [Belgium] Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Ghent, Belguim | ||||
| 1994 (10th) |
Psychology and Psychiatry |  |
Dr. Arvid Carlsson (1923-) | Discovery of dopamine as a neurotransmitter and clarification of its role in mental and motor functions and their disorders |
| [Sweden] Professor Emeritus, Gothenburg University | ||||
| 1992 (8th) |
Science and Technology of Material Interfaces |  |
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Ertl (1936-) | Contributions to the new development of the chemistry and physics of solid surfaces |
| [Germany] Director of Fritz-Haber Institute of Max Planck Society, Honorary Professor at the Free University Berlin and at the Technical University Berlin | ||||
| Science and Technology for Biological Production |  |
Prof. Ernest John Christopher Polge (1926-2006) |
Discovery of method of the cryopreservation of semen and embryos in farm animals | |
| [UK] The Scientific Director of Animal Biotechnology Cambridge Ltd. | ||||
| 1991 (7th) |
Applied Mathematics |  |
Dr. Jacques-Louis Lions (1928-2001) | Contributions to analysis and control of distributed systems, and to promotion of applied analysis |
| [France] The Chairman of Analysis and Systems Control at the Collège de France and the President of National Center of Space Studies | ||||
| 1990 (6th) |
Earth Science |  |
Dr. Dan Peter McKenzie (1942-) | Initiation of the theory of plate tectonics and contributions to its development |
| [UK] Professor at Cambridge University | ||||
 |
Dr. Xavier Le Pichon (1937-) | |||
| [France] Directeur du Départment de Géologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure | ||||
| 1988 (4th) |
Energy Technology |  |
Dr. Georges Vendryes (1920-2014) | Establishment of fast breeder reactor technology |
| [France] Scientific advisor to the president of the Commissariat à I'Energie Atomique | ||||
| Preventative Medicine |  |
Dr. Luc Montagnier (1932-) | Discovery of the AIDS causing virus and development of diagnostic methods | |
| [France] Chief, Department of Virus Tumours, Pasteur Institute |
| Year | Field | Photo | Name (b.-d.) | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Nationality]Affiliation (Titles at the time) | ||||
|
2018 |
Medical Science and Medicinal Science |  |
Dr. Jacques Miller (1931 -) | Discovery of B and T lymphocyte lineages and its impact on understanding disease pathology and therapeutic development (Joint Award) |
| [Australia] Professor Emeritus, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research | ||||
| 2004 (20th) |
Food Production Based on Ecosystem Concepts |  |
Dr. Keith J. Sainsbury (1951-) | Contributions to the understanding of shelf ecosystems and their sustainable utilization |
| [New Zealand] Senior Principal Research Scientist, Division of Marine Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization | ||||
| 1988 (4th) |
Preventative Medicine |  |
Dr. Frank Fenner (1914-2010) | The eradication of smallpox |
| [Australia] Professor Emeritus, Visiting Fellow, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University |