The WLA Awards, a science award launched by the World Association of Laureates, announced its first winners in Shanghai on Thursday.

Michael I. Jordan, an American computer scientist and statistician, received the award for “Intelligent Science or Mathematics” for “fundamental contributions to the theoretical underpinnings of machine learning and its applications.”

German biochemist Dirk Gorich was awarded the “Life Science or Medicine” prize for “important discoveries concerning the transport mechanisms and selectivity of proteins between the cytoplasm and nucleus.”

WLA vice president and 2013 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, Michael Levitt, announced at a press conference that each prize will be worth 10 million yuan ($1.39 million).

Wu Xiangdong, executive director of the WLA and chairman of the WLA Awards Management Committee, said the two winners will come to Shanghai in early November to attend the awards ceremony.

Aiming to recognize and support distinguished researchers and engineers from around the world for their contributions to science, the WLA Awards were launched at the 4th WLA Forum in Shanghai in 2021 .

WLA President and 2006 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Roger Kornberg said the prize supports original, fundamental research and encourages scientists to do more for the common good of mankind. He said he encourages you to make the effort.

Neil Shen, Steward of Sequoia Capital Founding and managing partner of Sequoia China, the exclusive sponsor of the WLA Awards, said the company’s support for the award is a “permanent public welfare investment in human science and technology.” ‘, he said.