Beijing, China — The International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) 2025 has announced the recipients of its prestigious Basic Science Lifetime Awards (BSLA). At a press conference held at Tsinghua University on Friday, six renowned scientists were honored for their groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, physics, information science, and engineering.
The distinguished awardees include Nobel laureates Samuel Chao Chung Ting, David Jonathan Gross, and Steven Chu; Turing Award winner Robert Endre Tarjan; Fields Medalist Shigefumi Mori; and Wolf Prize winner George Lusztig.
Celebrating Mathematical Mastery
Prof. Shigefumi Mori from Kyoto University was recognized “for his fundamental contributions to algebraic geometry, the Minimal Model Program, and profound influence in the classification of higher-dimensional algebraic varieties.”
Prof. George Lusztig of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) received the award “for his unparalleled contributions to representation theory, and the profound influence of the theory of Deligne–Lusztig varieties, and Kazhdan–Lusztig theory.”
Advancements in Physics
Prof. David Jonathan Gross from the University of California, Santa Barbara, was honored “for the discovery of asymptotic freedom and other pioneering contributions to elementary particle physics and string theory.”
Prof. Samuel Chao Chung Ting of MIT was lauded “for his transformative discovery of the J/ψ meson, groundbreaking contributions to space-based research, and visionary leadership in global collaborations in experimental physics.”
Innovations in Information Science and Engineering
Prof. Steven Chu from Stanford University was awarded “for his transformative contributions to atomic physics, biophysics, precision measurements, and energy innovations.”
Prof. Robert Endre Tarjan of Princeton University was recognized “for his pioneering contributions to computer science, invention of novel efficient graph algorithms and data structures, and their profound influence in data science.”
A Legacy of Scientific Excellence
Established in 2023, the BSLA honors extraordinary scientists whose innovative work in basic science over the past 30 years or more has brought about fundamental changes in their respective disciplines. This year’s recipients have each achieved landmark breakthroughs that continue to inspire future generations of researchers.
The ICBS 2025 is slated for July and aims to further strengthen international collaboration and advance foundational scientific research following the success of previous events. The 2024 congress brought together nearly 1,000 top scientists from over 40 countries and regions, featuring more than 500 cutting-edge academic presentations. The event attracted over 5 million participants both online and offline, fostering a vibrant platform for global scientific exchange.
