Presented by The Shaw Prize Foundation, the “2025 Roundtable with Shaw Laureates – Human Stories in Science: The Grit Behind the Glory” convenes four distinguished 2025 Shaw Laureates—John Richard Bond, George Efstathiou, Wolfgang Baumeister, and Kenji Fukaya—for an inspiring cross-disciplinary dialogue. This roundtable will explore the human narratives behind their groundbreaking discoveries, emphasising the vital role of perseverance, resilience and human connections in a world reshaped by emerging technologies.

In an era of rapid innovation, science continues to evolve, embracing new methodologies and technologies. Yet, at its core, scientific discovery remains deeply human-driven by passion, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge for the greater benefit of humankind. The 2025 Shaw Laureates will reflect on their personal journeys, sharing insights into the struggles, setbacks, and challenges that shaped their paths. They will discuss the resilience that fuels progress, the collaborative brilliance that drives breakthrough, and the enduring human spirit that grounds innovation.

Topics highlights

• Igniting the Spark: Personal Journeys into Science
  What defining moments or personal motivations set these laureates on their scientific paths? How did their unique stories shape discoveries that redefine our understanding of the cosmos, life, and mathematics?
• The Grit Behind the Glory: Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Discovery
  What barriers— whether scepticism, technical limitations, or personal setbacks—did these laureates encountered? How did resilience and innovative thinking transform challenges into opportunities?
• Human Connections in Science: The Importance of Collaboration and Mentorship
  How have mentors, colleagues and competitors influenced these laureates’ scientific journey? What role has collaboration played in overcoming challenges or sparking new ideas in their work?

About the Shaw Laureates

John Richard Bond
Shaw Laureate in Astronomy 2025

George Efstathiou
Shaw Laureate in Astronomy 2025

Wolfgang Baumeister
Shaw Laureate in Life Science and Medicine 2025

Kenji Fukaya
Shaw Laureate in Mathematical Sciences 2025

About the Moderator

Wong Yeung Shan, Samuel
Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Medicine
Director, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Agenda

The event will be livestreamed on the Shaw Prize website and other social media platforms.