A $50,000 prize is awarded once every two years in recognition of original and exceptional research work in five different fields: mathematics/computer science and engineering, chemical and physical sciences, life sciences, humanities and Jewish sciences
The Rothschild Prize Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Rothschild Prize.
The Rothschild Prize has been awarded since 1959 by Yad Handiv (Rothschild Family Foundations) in order to help, encourage and promote science and culture in Israel. A $50,000 prize is awarded once every two years as a token of appreciation for original and exceptional research work in five different fields: mathematics/computer science and engineering, chemical and physical sciences, life sciences, humanities and Jewish sciences.
The Council for the Rothschild Awards has eight members and consists of representatives of the Israeli government, the Rothschild family, academic institutions in Israel and the Israeli National Academy of Sciences, and is headed by Prof. Eitan Kohlberg.
Among the winners of the prestigious award in the past are two Nobel laureates - Prof. Ada Yonat and Prof. Dan Shechtman, as well as the current president of the Israel National Academy of Sciences, Prof. Ruth Arnon.
The winners of the award for 2011 according to the categories:
Rothschild Prize in Mathematics / Computer Science and Engineering
The award is given to Prof. Gil Kalai from the Institute of Mathematics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem for his groundbreaking work in combinatorics. His work covers all areas of combinatorics and has profound implications in other areas of pure and applied mathematics, as well as in theoretical areas of computer science.
Rothschild Prize in Chemical Sciences and Physical Sciences
Prof. Raphael Meshulam from the School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has broken new horizons in understanding the chemistry of natural substances that affect human behavior and are also found in cannabis. His discoveries have a great impact on the possible development of new types of drugs.
Rothschild Prize in Life Sciences
Prof. Haim Sider from the Department of Cell Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, made a decisive contribution to the understanding of the control mechanisms of the hereditary material carried out by changes in this material during the body's activity. His discoveries have far-reaching implications for understanding the processes of body development and malignant processes.
The prize in the humanities
The award is given to Prof. Margalit Finkelberg from the Department of Classical Studies, Tel Aviv University, for her pioneering contributions to the study of the ancient roots of classical Greek culture, for her part in deciphering the ancient script of Linear A, and for her pioneering work on the birth of the concept of fiction in ancient Greece.
Prize in Jewish Studies
The award is given to Prof. Moshe Idel from the Department of Israel Thought, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, for his groundbreaking research in the Jewish secret theory and thanks to his decisive influence on the field in particular, and on Jewish studies in general.
The winners will receive the prizes at a ceremony that will be held in the Knesset building, with the participation of Lord Jacob Rothschild, on March 25, 2012.
