2022 Neuron Prizes laureates

THE NEURON PRIZE 2002 WAS AWARDED TO THE PAEDIATRIC HAEMATOLOGIST JAN STARÝ AND THE WORLD-RENOWNED CHEMIST PAVEL HOBZA. THE PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE WAS ALSO BESTOWED ON SIX PROMISING SCIENTISTS AND A UNIQUE WAY HOW TO CONNECT SCIENCE TO BUSINESS.

The Neuron Endowment Fund for the Support of Science has granted the Neuron Prizes to the best Czech scientists. Six promising scientists, one project of scientific transfer focusing on energy storage, and two scientists whose lifelong achievements have enriched global research received the prestigious award during the gala evening.

The Neuron Prize in Medicine was awarded to Prof. Jan Starý, the pioneer of innovative treatment of childhood leukaemia and bone marrow transplantation. The Neuron Prize in Chemistry went to Prof. Pavel Hobza, who discovered a new type of hydrogen bonding and belonged among the world’s most influential scientists in the field of computational chemistry.

The Scientific and Management Board of the Neuron Endowment Fund also awarded the best implementation of basic research into practice. The Neuron Award for connecting science and business was awarded to Pinflow energy storage, a company specialising in the storage of energy in redox flow batteries. 

“During the Neuron Awards gala evening, we celebrated science and recognised excellent personalities representing hope and light for Czech society. The laureates are entitled to a personal financial bonus totalling six million crowns, in addition to the prize,” explains Monika Vondráková, Chairwoman of the Management Board of the Neuron Endowment Fund.

Six new laureates have received the Neuron Prize for Promising Scientists. The following scientists received the prize from the scientific guarantors and patrons of the Neuron Endowment Fund during the gala evening:

Martina Živná (Medicine) for identifying the cause of hereditary kidney disease, 

Gabriel Demo (Biology) for his research on transcription and translation communication, 

Anežka Kuzmičová (Social Sciences) for her research on literacy, 

Martin Setvín (Physics) for his research on non-conductive materials, 

Mariya Shamzhy (Chemistry) for her research on porous materials, 

Jan Kynčl (Mathematics) for his ground-breaking discoveries in combinatorics.

“I would like to welcome all the laureates to the Neuron Endowment Fund community and express our gratitude to everyone who spent the gala evening with us. I hope that everyone, not only the professional audience, enjoyed the mix of exceptional scientists, patrons and moderator Karel Kovář, Kovy,” adds Monika Vondráková. “I would like to extend our special thanks to our patrons and partners who believe in the power of human knowledge. Without their help, the Neuron Prizes and the Neuron Endowment Fund could not continue to support Czech science in such a way.”

GALA EVENING PHOTO GALLERY: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAbJ93

LAUREATES PHOTO GALLERY: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAaDTU