A series of scientists make their mark after being honored with VinFuture

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman

During the world's period facing the Covid-19 pandemic, VinFuture awarded the first main prize in 2021 to a group of 3 scientists developing mRNA technology. This is an important foundation to help create vaccines that benefit billions of people.

After that, Dr. Katalin Kariko from bioNTech and Professor Drew Weissman from the University of Pennsylvania were named for the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physical Medicine. The Nobel Council recognizes two scientists who have made breakthrough discoveries that have contributed to promoting vaccine development at an unprecedented pace during the pandemic.

Dr. Kariko focuses on research on mRNA information. She believes that mRNA can guide cells to produce drugs. Professor Weissman has spent more than 15 years researching RNA with the expectation of creating vaccines with the ability to treat diseases widely.

At the VinFuture Awards Ceremony, Dr. Kariko expressed his respect for the founders and the award council. She said that VinFuture is a bright spot in science and international cooperation.

Omar M. Yaghi

Also in the 2021 season, Professor Omar M. Yaghi received a special award for scientists researching new fields thanks to the project on MOF organic metal frame materials.

MOF has a surface area of up to 6,500 square meters in just one gram. This material has many practical applications such as CO2 capture, creating water from the air and storing hydrogen in compact containers. The VinFuture Prize Council assessed MOF as having the ability to improve the lives of millions of people in areas with scarce clean water.

This year, Professor Yaghi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with two other scientists for his research on MOF. The Nobel Council believes that MOF offers many new opportunities to customize materials according to desired functions.

Demis Hassabis and John Jumper

In 2022, the special prize for scientists researching new fields went to Prof. Demis Hassabis and John Jumper with the AlphaFold AI system. This work uses deep learning methods to predict protein structure with the accuracy of nuclear level. The research team published a database of more than 200 million proteins. This data source supports thousands of scientists in solving health problems in many countries.

Two years later, AlphaFold 2 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The Nobel Council said the work had helped realize a half-century-long dream of predicting protein structure from the amino acid chain.

AlphaFold 2 helps raise awareness of tropical diseases that are neglected due to the unidentified protein structure. The system also supports the discovery of enzymes that can break down industrial plastic waste or capture carbon effectively.

M. Stanley Whittingham

Professor M. Stanley Whittingham from Binghamton University received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019 before being awarded the VinFuture main prize in 2023 for his work on lithium-ion batteries.

He explored the working principle of lithium-ion batteries and identified ion lithium as an effective charge carrier. The project creates a foundation for the development of batteries that are widely applied in mobile devices and electric vehicles. lithium-ion batteries contribute to promoting a wireless society and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

At the VinFuture 2023 awards ceremony, Professor Whittingham expressed his gratitude to his colleagues in the renewable energy sector and affirmed the joint efforts towards a sustainable ecosystem.

Geoffrey E. Hinton

Professor Geoffrey E. Hinton from the University of Toronto made a big impression when receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics and the VinFuture main prize in 2024. His artificial neural network foundation has contributed to shaping deep learning algorithms and paving the way for modern AI systems.

On October 8, Professor Hinton was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics with Professor John J. Hopfield. The Nobel Council assessed that the contributions of the two scientists have brought widespread benefits to physics, especially the fields that use artificial neural networks to develop new materials.

On December 6, Professor Hinton continued to be honored with the VinFuture 2024 main award in Hanoi. He believes that VinFuture is flexible and owns unique items to honor initiatives that help improve life. He also highly appreciated the prize value of the tournament.

Professor Sir Richard Friend, Chairman of the VinFuture Prize Council, emphasized that spreading awareness of scientific achievements can encourage innovation and inspire the next generation.

Last year, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that VinFuture will continue to honor breakthrough projects that help humanity overcome challenges and aim for new achievements.