In pictures: Professor Tom Solomon in Hong Kong with The Shaw Prize

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People sat around a circular table

Professor Tom Solomon CBE – Director of The Pandemic Institute, Chair of Neurology and Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections – attended The Shaw Prize awards ceremony last week in Hong Kong.

During the trip, Professor Solomon also met leading academics at a range of institutions and delivered two seminars.

The Shaw Prize

The Shaw Prize, described as the “Nobel Prize of Asia” is an international award dedicated to furthering societal progress, enhancing people’s quality of life and enriching humanity’s spiritual and cultural growth.

The Shaw Prize consists of three annual prizes:

  • the Prize in Astronomy
  • the Prize in Life Science and Medicine
  • the Prize in Mathematical Sciences.

It recognises individuals who have achieved significant advances in their fields and made outstanding contributions in academic and scientific research or applications. 

As part of this work, The Shaw Prize Foundation undertakes a proactive role in advancing scientific literacy through lectures, public forums, exhibitions and outreach programmes. 

Professor Solomon was invited to Hong Kong by The Shaw Prize Foundation as part of this engagement activity, and you can find out more about Professor Solomon’s trip below.

Lecture style room with people listening to a talk

Hong Kong trip highlights

Professor Solomon delivered two seminars during his trip – the first at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the second at Queen Mary Hospital.

View of a city looking out of a window

During the sessions, Professor Solomon discussed emerging infections in the UK, Asia and around the world. The sessions were attended by scientists, infectious disease physicians, epidemiologists, academics, researchers and students.

Three people stood talking

A highlight from Professor Solomon’s trip to Hong Kong was meeting with Professor KY Yuen (below), of the University of Hong Kong, whose work on emerging infections in Hong Kong – including SARS-1and COVID-19 – has had major public health impacts.

Two people smiling at each other having a conversation

Professor Tom Solomon is also the Academic Vice President of the Royal College of Physicians. During the trip, he had productive meetings with local fellows of the Royal College of Physicians as well as those from the Hong Kong College of Physicians.

A lab with people working in it

The Shaw Prize Award Ceremony

During his trip, Professor Tom Solomon attended The Shaw Prize Award Presentation Ceremony.

People sat around a table

This year, the following prizes were awarded:

  • the Prize in Astronomy was awarded to Professor Shrinivas R Kulkarni
  • the Prize in Life Science and Medicine was awarded to Professor Swee Lay Thein and Dr Stuart Orkin
  • the Prize in Mathematical Sciences was awarded to Professor Peter Sarnak

You can find out more about The Shaw Prize via their website, Instagram (@TheShawPrize) or LinkedIn.