The Inamori Foundation (President: Kazuo Inamori) is pleased to announce the laureates for the 2009 Kyoto Prize, international awards presented to people who have contributed significantly to the progress of science, the advancement of civilization, and the enrichment and elevation of the human spirit.
*Advanced Technology
"Pioneering Work on Gallium Nitride p-n Junctions and Related Contributions to the Development of Blue Light Emitting Devices"
Isamu Akasaki
Japan / January 30, 1929
Semiconductor Scientist
University Professor, Nagoya University
Professor, Meijo University
*Basic Sciences
"Demonstrating Rapid Evolution Caused by Natural Selection in Response to Environmental Changes"
Peter Raymond Grant
U.K. / October 26, 1936
Evolutionary Biologist
Professor Emeritus, Princeton University
Barbara Rosemary Grant
U.K. / October 8, 1936
Evolutionary Biologist
Professor Emeritus, Princeton University
*Arts and Philosophy
"A Musician Who Has Consistently Set Trends through His Composition, Conducting, Writing, and Organizational Operation"
Pierre Boulez
France / March 26, 1925
Composer, Conductor
Honorary Director, Institute for Research and Coordination Acoustic/Music (IRCAM)
The Kyoto Prize Presentation Ceremony will be held at the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan on November 10, 2009. At the Ceremony, each laureate will be presented with a diploma, a Kyoto Prize Medal (20K gold), and prize money of 50 million yen per category.
Link: THE 2009 KYOTO PRIZE LAUREATES
Link: MEMBERS OF THE 2009 KYOTO PRIZE SELECTION ORGANIZATION
UPDATE : 19.June.2009