The PLuS Alliance today announced the winners of its inaugural PLuS Alliance Prize 2017
The PLuS Alliance Prize winners were presented with their awards by Professor Sir Malcolm Grant, Chairman of NHS England and Chair of the PLuS Alliance Advisory Board, during a ceremony at the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit in London.
The PLuS Alliance Prize valued at USD$50,000 is awarded in two categories; Education Innovation and Research Innovation. Both winners are recognised for the development and implementation of innovative solutions to significant global issues. Additionally, two additional achievements are recognised for Global Leadership and Global Innovation.
PLuS Alliance Prize for Education Innovation winner:
Dr Laura Hosman for The Solar Powered Educational Learning Library (SolarSPELL) said, “It’s a great privilege to be selected as the education innovation winner for the PLuS Alliance Prize this year. SolarSPELL is making a difference in the lives of thousands of people living in remote areas around the world by removing barriers to learning. This distinguished award will help our team continue this important work.
PLuS Alliance Prize for Research Innovation winner:
Professor Veena Sahajwalla for The new science of green manufacturing said, “The work we’ve been doing to help global industries use green materials over virgin raw materials is vital to sustainability. This recognition from by the PLuS Alliance for the work we’ve been doing to drive change and impact communities across the world is a real honour.”
PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Leadership: Mr Narayana Murthy
The values Mr Murthy stand for and his clear vision of leadership have not only resulted in extraordinary growth for his companies but has been integral in bringing a powerful IT wave to India. The Presidents have noted his generosity as a philanthropist and thought-leader, with particular acknowledgment of Infosys Science Foundation, focused on advancing young people in their pursuits of science and research.
PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Innovation: Professor Francisco Mojica
The advent of CRISPR gene editing is heralded as one of the most significant advances in the life sciences. As the scientist who first investigated the natural CRISPR-Cas9 systems, Dr Mojica’s discoveries underpin the widely acclaimed gene editing technologies which most recently has been linked to accelerating a cure for Huntington’s disease and ALS. While there have been recent advances from brilliant scientists such as Jennifer Doudna, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Feng Zhang, we acknowledge that the foundations were laid by Francisco Mojica in Spain and his fundamental research on bacteria.
Judging the shortlisted candidates from across the US, the UK and Australia were six industry leaders including former LinkedIn Vice President, Ellen Levy, now Managing Director of Silicon Valley Connect. Ellen said,
“Innovation in research and education is vital to advancing society in a positive direction, whether by addressing some of the biggest challenges our world faces today, or creating new impactful opportunities. It was an honour to review so many inspired proposals and a great privilege to recognise two innovators who are bringing about real and positive change.”
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Mary O’Kane and former VP of GE Medical Europe, Timothy Irish also formed part of the distinguished judging panel. The three Presidents of the PLuS Alliance universities completed the panel of six experts in innovation and enterprise.
Dr Michael M Crow, President, Arizona State University, said:
“Dr Hosman and Professor Sahajwalla are contemporaries in research and education innovation. They’re truly impacting their fields and bringing about a positive difference with proven global application. The level of competition for the inaugural PLuS Alliance Prize was awe-inspiring, and we’re already looking forward to the nominees for the 2018 Prize”.
King’s College London President and Principal, Professor Ed Byrne, continued:
“The level of innovation displayed in the first year of the PLuS Alliance Prize has been outstanding. Both Dr Hosman and Professor Sahajwalla have surpassed expectations and shown the true value of innovation in education and research. We congratulate them, along with all of the other shortlisted candidates.”
Professor Ian Jacobs, President and Vice-Chancellor, UNSW Sydney, said:
“The inaugural PLuS Alliance Prize did not disappoint. The calibre of candidates was impressive but, ultimately, honours went to SolarSPELL and The new science of green manufacturing”.
Paul Ramadge, PLuS Alliance Managing Director, also noted:
“We’re delighted to recognise the achievements of innovators from the PLuS Alliance network. Two additional prizes celebrate the standing and excellence of extraordinary global leaders. The PLuS Alliance Global Leadership Prize recognises outstanding contributions to innovation and education through leadership, and the PLuS Alliance Global Innovation Prize, which recognises outstanding achievement by an established researcher or educator.”
The PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Leadership awardee, Mr Narayana Murthy, said:
“To be recognised as a global leader by three great universities today, collaborating under the PLuS Alliance, is an honour. Leadership plays such a vital role in fostering innovation so it’s humbling to be recognised among so many innovators who are bringing about positive change in the world.”
The PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Innovation awardee, Professor Mojica, said:
“In a way, I fell in love with CRISPRs in the 90s as a PhD student, when they were just a curiosity in the genome of a weird microorganism. Since then, I have continued to pursue my passion which has led to great discoveries and wonderful collaborations. The scientific community is collegial and collaborative in nature; we are all innovators that share our ideas and join efforts to improve life. To be recognised by the PLuS Alliance today means credit for that from my community. It is such a great honour!”
Notes on the PLuS Alliance Prize 2017 winners
PLuS Alliance Prize for Education Innovation:
Dr Laura Hosman for The Solar Powered Educational Learning Library (SolarSPELL)
SolarSPELL is a solar-powered educational learning library designed to deliver curated content to remote, unconnected or off-grid regions. This portable solar-powered digital library broadcasts over a Wi-Fi hotspot, transforming access to educational opportunities in the most resource-constrained conditions.
PLuS Alliance Prize for Research Innovation:
Professor Veena Sahajwalla for The new science of green manufacturing
The new science of green manufacturing is revolutionising recycling to enable global industries to safely utilise toxic and complex wastes as low cost alternatives to virgin raw materials and fossil fuels. This process reimagines the supply chain by ‘mining’ over-burdened landfills for resources.
PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Leadership: Mr Narayana Murthy
The values Mr Murthy stand for and his clear vision of leadership have not only resulted in extraordinary growth for his companies but has been integral in bringing a powerful IT wave to India. The Presidents have noted his generosity as a philanthropist and thought-leader, with particular acknowledgment of Infosys Science Foundation, focused on advancing young people in their pursuits of science and research.
PLuS Alliance Prize for Global Innovation: Professor Francisco Mojica
The advent of CRISPR gene editing is heralded as one of the most significant advances in the life sciences. As the scientist who first investigated the natural CRISPR-Cas9 systems, Dr Mojica’s discoveries underpin the widely acclaimed gene editing technologies which most recently has been linked to accelerating a cure for Huntington’s disease and ALS. While there have been recent advances from brilliant scientists such as Jennifer Doudna, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Feng Zhang, we acknowledge that the foundations were laid by Francisco Mojica in Spain and his fundamental research on bacteria.
An announcement on the PLuS Alliance Prize 2018 will be made early next year.
