Hoam Foundation Awards Samsung Hoam Prize to 6 Global Leaders and 1 Organization

Selected Experts and Organizations Recognized for Global Influence
Prize Money of 300 Million Won Awarded... Award Ceremony on May 31

[Asia Economy Reporter Sunmi Park] The Samsung Ho-Am Foundation has selected and announced five experts and one organization recognized for their creative and pioneering achievements with global influence as the recipients of the '2022 Samsung Ho-Am Prize.'

According to the Ho-Am Foundation on the 6th, this year's awardees are ▲Science Prize in Physics and Mathematics: Oh Yong-geun (61), Professor at POSTECH ▲Science Prize in Chemistry and Life Sciences: Jang Seok-bok (60), Distinguished Professor at KAIST ▲Engineering Prize: Cha Sang-kyun (64), Professor at Seoul National University ▲Medicine Prize: Keith Chung (57), Professor at Harvard Medical School ▲Arts Prize: Kim Hye-soon (67), Poet ▲Social Service Prize: Heart-Heart Foundation. Each recipient in their respective category will receive a certificate, a medal, and a prize money of 300 million KRW. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on May 31.

This year's recipients were selected through a meticulous and fair evaluation process over four months, involving 46 judges composed of prominent domestic and international scholars and experts, as well as 47 overseas academic advisory members.

The Science Prize in Physics and Mathematics recipient, Dr. Oh, discovered an important theoretical foundation and application method for 'Floer homology' in symplectic geometry, a field of modern mathematics. Dr. Oh's research is recognized as a textbook achievement in modern symplectic geometry and symplectic topology, elevating the status of Korean mathematics internationally, including being the first Korean to give a lecture at the International Congress of Mathematicians.

The Science Prize in Chemistry and Life Sciences recipient, Dr. Jang, developed a high-efficiency catalytic synthesis method that has been utilized by many researchers worldwide. His work is evaluated to contribute to the advancement of organic chemistry synthesis by presenting potential applications in various fields such as new drug development.

The Engineering Prize recipient, Dr. Cha, developed the world's first in-memory database software 'SAP HANA,' which compresses and stores data previously saved on hard disks into DRAM memory for real-time high-speed processing. The technology developed by Dr. Cha synergizes with Korea's DRAM semiconductor industry and is currently used by many global companies in their management.

The Medicine Prize recipient, Dr. Chung, is a pioneering expert in the development of the widely used gene-editing technology 'CRISPR gene editing technology' in medical research. The CRISPR gene technology minimized side effects in research and treatments where it is applied and laid the foundation for applications in various fields including medicine, biology, agriculture, and engineering.

The Arts Prize recipient, poet Kim, has expanded the spectrum of modern Korean poetry by publishing over 20 poetry collections and essays, including 'Autobiography of Death.' The Social Service Prize was awarded to the Heart-Heart Foundation, which created a new model of cultural welfare for people with disabilities by founding an orchestra for individuals with developmental disabilities in 2006 and performing over 1,000 concerts domestically and internationally, including at New York's Carnegie Hall and UNICEF invitations.

The Samsung Ho-Am Prize was established in 1990 by the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee to honor the spirit of talent first and social contribution of Ho-Am Lee Byung-chul, recognizing individuals who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in academia, arts, social development, and the promotion of human welfare. Up to the 32nd awards this year, a total of 164 recipients have been awarded prize money amounting to 30.7 billion KRW.

Kim Hwang-sik, Chairman of the Ho-Am Foundation, said, "Through the Samsung Ho-Am Prize, the Ho-Am Foundation will continue to discover recipients with outstanding global influence and lead the advancement of human civilization."