[Reading Science] Who Are the 'Top 10' Scientists of the Year?

Selected by the International Academic Journal Nature

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Scientists at NASA operating the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), leading humanity's first astronomical observations, and an unknown Chinese scientist who observed COVID-19 variants.

On the 14th (local time), the international academic journal Nature announced a list of 10 scientists who made significant contributions to scientific developments and major issues this year. Nature explained, "We selected people who played important roles in this year's major scientific discoveries," adding, "They helped their peers achieve remarkable discoveries and raised awareness of important issues."

First, Jane Rigby, an astronomer at NASA responsible for operating the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which was launched last December and has been producing tremendous observational results since July this year, was named first. Nature explained, "She played a key role in the launch, deployment, and observations of JWST, which provides vast new capabilities for space research."

Second, unexpectedly, an unknown Chinese researcher was selected. Nature introduced Chao Yinlong, a researcher at Peking University in China, as one of the 10 scientists of the year and noted second, "Through extensive characterization analysis of new (COVID-19) variants, researchers were able to keep pace with the virus's evolution."

Nature also selected Saleemul Huq, a research fellow at the International Centre for Climate Change and Development from Bangladesh, as a scientist of the year. Leading the United Nations (UN) International Climate Conference held in Egypt this year, Nature explained, "He helped ensure that wealthy countries pay for the damages and losses caused by climate change."

Ukrainian scientist Svitlana Krakovska, who has vocally opposed Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its adverse effects on climate change, and Nigerian scientist Dumi Ogoina, who has worked on monkeypox surveillance and prevention, were also selected. Lisa McCauley, who is urging the U.S. government to establish support measures for long-term COVID-19 symptoms known as Long COVID; Diana Greene Foster, who is fighting against the U.S. Supreme Court's abortion ban ruling; and Ant?nio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, who urged world leaders to take action at the UN Climate Summit last November, were all included among the 10 scientists of the year.

Additionally, Muhammad Mohiuddin, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who successfully transplanted a heart cultured from a germ-free pig into a human, keeping the patient alive for about two months earlier this year, and Alondra Nelson, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), recognized for improving equity, integrity, and accessibility in U.S. science policy and administration, were also selected as scientists of the year.

Meanwhile, Nature named Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's Minister of Climate Change; Nalatambi Karaiselvi, Chairperson of India's Science and Industrial Research Board; Sun Chunlan, Vice Premier of China's State Council; and Renee Wegrzyn, director of the U.S. Health Advanced Research Projects Agency (HARPA), as "key figures to watch next year."