The winners are Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, Dr. John T. Schiller, Dr. Aimée R. Kreimer, all from the US National Cancer Institute, and Prof. Maura L. Gillison from MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, USA. The prize is worth US$3 million.

According to the VinFuture Council, fundamental research by Dr. Lowy and Dr. Schiller on the capsid protein of human papillomavirus (HPV) enabled the creation of highly effective vaccines that prevent millions of cervical cancer cases globally, especially in developing countries.

Dr. Kreimer developed a single-dose immunisation regimen, later recommended by the WHO, dramatically increasing vaccine accessibility. Meanwhile, Prof. Gillison and Dr. Kreimer’s epidemiological studies identified the connection between HPV and head-and-neck cancers - the risks that can now be significantly reduced through HPV vaccination.

In addition to the Grand Prize, VinFuture Prize 2025 presented three Special Prizes, each worth US$500,000 to honour scientists from developing countries, female scientists, and scientists in emerging fields.

The first Special Prize went to Prof. María Esperanza Martínez-Romero (Mexico) for advances in microbial ecology and nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in tropical ecosystems. Her discoveries of new Rhizobium species have expanded knowledge of plant-microbe interactions and opened new paths for sustainable agriculture.

The second Special Prize was awarded to Prof. Mary-Claire King (USA) for discovering the BRCA1 gene, which determines hereditary risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Identifying BRCA1 in 1990 before the human genome was sequenced revolutionised genetic diagnostics, screening, and personalised treatment.

The last Special Prize was presented to Prof. Venkatesan Sundaresan (USA), Prof. Raphaël Mercier (Germany), Dr. Emmanuel Guiderdoni (France), Dr. Imtiyaz Khanday (USA), and Dr. Delphine Mieulet (France) for innovations enabling hybrid crops capable of self-propagation. Their research allows high-yield rice to reproduce through self-fertilisation, lowering seed costs and boosting global food security.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man congratulated the honoured scientists and emphasised that VinFuture Prize Awards ceremony 2025’s theme “Rising and Thriving” serves as a powerful global call for development based on solidarity, progress, shared values, and equal opportunity for all people and all nations. It also reflects the spirit of transcending the limits of knowledge, fostering global cooperation, and bringing practical benefits to humanity.

He noted that the world today is confronted with complex upheavals. Climate change, epidemics, energy and food security challenges, economic volatility, and unprecedented risks stemming from emerging science and technology require each country to seek its own appropriate development pathway. Science can only truly unleash its power through deep, equal, and enduring international cooperation.

“Vietnam wishes to join the global scientific community in strengthening cooperation to address humanity’s shared challenges, promote academic exchange, develop high-quality human resources, advance technology transfer, and implement models of green and inclusive development,” said the top legislator.

“We stand ready to partner with countries, organisations, and research institutes in a spirit of openness, responsibility, and mutual respect. Vietnam will continue to serve as a reliable and attractive destination for scientists, where creative values are shared and spread widely to the international community.”

In his remarks, Professor Richard Henry Friend, chairman of the VinFuture Prize Council, stated that VinFuture has been receiving an increasing number of nominations each year. Over its five-year history, the Prize has honoured many exceptional scientists, some of whom have subsequently been recognised with other prestigious international awards.

Prof. Friend expressed his belief that VinFuture is evolving beyond being solely an award and is expanding its influence into the future.

VinFuture Prize, established by the Vingroup billionaire family, has become one of the world’s leading science and technology awards, honouring 48 eminent scientists from 6,132 nominations across nearly 110 countries. Awarded work spans clean energy, AI, biomedicine, and agricultural innovation, helping shape the future of human life.

VinFuture Prize awards ceremony brings international innovators to Hanoi

VOV.VN - World-leading scientists and innovators will gather at Hanoi’s Ho Guom Theatre on December 5 for the 2025 VinFuture Prize awards, as Vietnam seeks to position itself as a regional hub for global science dialogue.