TAIPEI, Sept. 27,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 Tang Prize Award
Ceremony was grandly held this afternoon, September 27th, at the Globe Playhouse of the
Taipei Performing Arts Center. The ceremony commenced with the
majestic sounds of the "Tang Prize Overture," bringing together the
2024 Tang Prize Laureates, hailing from countries including
the United States, Denmark, and Ireland, both in person and virtually. Dr.
Chao-Han Liu, Dr. Wen-Chang Chang, Dr. Der-Wei Wang, and Professor Jiunn-rong Yeh,
serving as chairs for the respective Tang Prize categories,
introduced the laureates and presented the awards. Over 800
international guests and representatives from industry, government,
and academia witnessed this glorious event.
The second half of the ceremony featured captivating
performances by the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, including
Beethoven's vibrant "Overture" to Fidelio, Bao Yuan-Kai's whimsical "Sketches of
Taiwan," and the first movement of
Schubert's majestic Symphony No. 9, delighting the Tang
Prize Laureates and guests. The ceremony was also
live-streamed globally, sharing this international event with
the world.
The six recipients of the 2024 Tang Prize include Omar M. Yaghi for Sustainable Development;
Joel F. Habener, Svetlana Mojsov,
and Jens Juul Holst for
Biopharmaceutical Science; Hsu
Cho-yun for Sinology; and Mary
Robinson for Rule of Law.
Dr. Jenn-Chuan Chern, CEO of the
Tang Prize Foundation, commenced by extending a warm welcome and
marking the 12th anniversary of the foundation's establishment. He
spoke on behalf of the founder, Dr. Samuel
Yin. In June, the 2024 Tang Prize Laureates were announced,
bringing the total number of laureates honored over six ceremonies
to 39 (including 3 NGOs). A series of Tang Prize Week events have
also been meticulously planned. Dr. Chern expressed his distinct
honor in hosting this grand award ceremony to recognize the six
distinguished laureates. He believes that the laureates'
groundbreaking achievements and profound insights will chart a
course through these turbulent times in an era fraught with global
challenges such as the misuse of energy and resources,accelerating
climate change, and frequent conflicts.
Dr. Shu Chien, President of the
Tang Prize Selection Committee, stated that the Tang Prize,
established in 2012, has become a globally recognized and
prestigious international award. Each category is evaluated by an
independent selection committee composed of renowned experts,
ensuring an objective, fair, and professional selection process
regardless of race, gender, or nationality. He further extended his
heartfelt congratulations to the six outstanding 2024 Tang Prize
laureates, whose extraordinary achievements have made substantial
contributions to human health, science, and society.
Upon receiving the Tang Prize in Sustainable Development,
Professor Yaghi expressed immense gratitude to the founder, Dr.
Yin. He was deeply moved and inspired by Dr. Yin's vision of
establishing the Tang Prize to make the world a better place.
Growing up in an impoverished environment, Yaghi keenly felt that
waiting for ideal conditions often meant stagnation, and that the
most remarkable achievements usually stemmed from the humblest
beginnings. At the age of 10, he stumbled upon a book in the school
library and was captivated by the beautiful molecular structures
within, sparking a lifelong passion for chemistry. "As I stand here
today, accepting this award," said Yaghi, born into a refugee
family, "I do so not just for
myself, but for everyone who has ever felt that their beginnings
were too humble to make a difference. My journey is proof that
remarkable things can emerge from the most unremarkable
starts."
Professor Habener is deeply honored to be chosen as one of the
three recipients of the 2024 Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical
Science. He finds it immensely rewarding to have his lifelong
dedication to GLP-1 research acknowledged in this way. Witnessing
the positive impact of his contributions in alleviating the
suffering of individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity worldwide
brings him immense satisfaction.
Professor Mojsov is privileged to receive the Tang Prize for her
contribution to the discovery of GLP-1. Her curiosity about
peptides' impact on glucose metabolism and their therapeutic
applications ignited during her graduate studies in the 1970s.
Under the mentorship of Professor Bruce
Merrifield at Rockefeller
University, she delved into glucagon and solid-phase
synthesis. This expertise laid the foundation for her
groundbreaking identification of the bioactive GLP-1 (7-37),
comprising 31 amino acids, leading to the collaboration with
Professor Joel Habener to showcase
its promise in combating type 2 diabetes. This achievement
accomplished her four-decade-long scientific journey that commenced
at the Endocrine Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital in
Boston.
Fellow Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science Laureate,
Professor Holst also shared his 50-year journey in discovering
GLP-1, a path that began with his interest in incretins as a
gastroenterological surgeon. Key milestones included his
observation of the change in patients' blood sugar levels after
surgeries, exploring the biosynthetic precursor of glucagon from
gut cell molecules, predicting its structure, and confirming its
role in stimulating insulin secretion. This is how GLP-1 was
brought to Copenhagen. With the
support of the pharmaceutical industry, GLP-1 therapies have now
benefited millions, effectively treating obesity and type 2
diabetes while also decreasing related complications and premature
deaths, an outcome that Professor Holst finds deeply
gratifying.
Professor Hsu expresses his gratitude to the Tang Prize
Foundation, emphasizing the distinct mission of the Sinology award
compared to the other three categories. While the other awards
focus on solving contemporary global issues, Professor Hsu believes
the Sinology award seeks to identify the position of Chinese
civilization within the broader tapestry of world history - past,
present, and future. This resonates deeply with his own lifelong
pursuit: dedicating his early career to studying Chinese history
and his later years to extracting wisdom from Chinese culture to
address global challenges. While humbled by this prestigious honor,
he embraces the responsibility it entails.
Professor Robinson expressed her profound honor and gratitude to
be recognized by the Tang Prize Foundation and the Selection
Committee in the name of the rule of law. She acknowledged the
remarkable contributions of previous laureates who have championed
human rights and the rule of law globally, emphasizing the ongoing
tasks and shared responsibility to uphold these principles, a theme
she intends to explore further in her Laureate's Lecture. Professor
Robinson is acutely aware that despite its crucial importance, the
rule of law has faced increasing challenges and threats in recent
decades. She recognizes the concerted
efforts of authoritarian and nationalist leaders to erode the
foundations of legal and ethical norms, making the defense of the
rule of law an increasingly complex endeavor. Yet, she
remains steadfast in her commitment and champions human rights and
the rule of law.
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SOURCE The Tang Prize Foundation