Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize

Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize

The Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize is a prestigious award presented annually by Columbia University in New York City. Established in 1967, the prize honors exceptional contributions to the fields of biology and biochemistry. Named after Louisa Gross Horwitz, the daughter of the benefactor who established the award, it has become a significant indicator of potential Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine laureates.

History

The Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize was established under the will of S. Gross Horwitz, who named the prize in memory of his mother. The purpose of the prize is to honor outstanding research in the fundamental aspects of biology and biochemistry. Over the years, many recipients of the Horwitz Prize have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize, underscoring the prestige and significance of the award.

Criteria and Selection

Candidates for the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize are selected based on their research achievements in the fields of biology and biochemistry. The selection is made by a committee of distinguished scientists from Columbia University, who review nominations submitted by peers in the scientific community. The prize is not restricted to American citizens; it is open to all researchers worldwide.

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony is held annually at Columbia University. It includes a series of lectures by the recipients, where they present their research findings and contributions to the scientific community. These lectures are open to the public and are part of the university's efforts to promote scientific knowledge and education.

Notable Recipients

Some notable recipients of the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize include:

• Eric Kandel (1983) - later awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000
• Elizabeth Blackburn (2007) - later awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2009
• David Julius (2010) - later awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2021

Impact

The Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize has had a significant impact on the scientific community, not only by recognizing groundbreaking research but also by encouraging further scientific exploration and discovery. The prize highlights the importance of fundamental research in biology and biochemistry and its potential to contribute to medical and scientific advancements.