In Shanghai on Thursday, the laureates of the World Laureate Fund Prize for 2026 (WLF Prize) were announced. A total of 11 scientists were recognized, which is the highest number in the history of this award, thanks to the introduction of a new category.
The WLF Prize, established in 2021, represents international scientific recognition for outstanding individuals in the fields of computer science, mathematics, life sciences, or medicine.
Ingrid Daubechies from Duke University received the WLF Prize for 2026 in computer science or mathematics. She was awarded for her significant contributions to applied harmonic analysis, wavelet theory, and image compression, as well as for her leadership in the international mathematical community.
Laureates in the life sciences or medicine included Yuan Juning from the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Wang Xiaodong and Shao Feng from the National Institute of Biological Sciences, and Vishwa Dixit from Genentech Inc. They were honored for elucidating the molecular pathways of various forms of programmed cell death and analyzing how these pathways regulate diverse physiological functions and disease pathogenesis.
Shao became the first Chinese citizen to receive this award. This year, the prize introduced a new category, under which six young scientists under the age of 40 were honored with the Young Scientist Award.
Although the award ceremony highlights breakthrough achievements in fundamental science, this year also focused on the development of breakthrough technologies and the application of innovative achievements. Hua Xian Shen, Executive Dean of the Institute of Engineering Intelligence at Tsinghua University, noted that the WLF Prize encourages important theoretical contributions, as many modern applications can be based on mathematics developed decades or even centuries ago, and therefore more investment is needed in this area to ensure the safety and development of large models in industrial applications.
The official awards ceremony will take place as part of the World Laureate Forum, scheduled for October 30 – November 1 in Shanghai.