Shaw Prize 2021: Winners

Recipients

1. Astronomy

   Chryssa Kouveliotou, Victoria M. Kaspi

   Physics

   For their contributions to our understanding of magnetars, a class of highly magnetized neutron stars that are linked to a wide range of spectacular, transient astrophysical phenomena. Through the development of new and precise observational techniques, they confirmed the existence of neutron stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields and characterized their physical properties. Their work has established magnetars as a new and important class of astrophysical objects.

2. Life Science and Medicine

   Scott D. Emr

   Biology

   For the landmark discovery of the ESCRT (Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport) pathway, which is essential in diverse processes involving membrane biology, including cell division, cell-surface receptor regulation, viral dissemination, and nerve axon pruning. These processes are central to life, health and disease.

3. Mathematical Sciences

   Jean-Michel Bismut, Jeff Cheeger

   Math

   For their remarkable insights that have transformed, and continue to transform, modern geometry.