The Ray Wu Prize for Excellence in Life Sciences is established to inspire Asia’s most promising young Ph.D. students to become future leaders in life sciences. Professor Ray Wu (1928-2008) was a world-renowned biologist who, in the 1970s, developed the first method for DNA sequencing and pioneered the recombinant DNA technology. In the later part of his career, he devoted to genetic engineering of rice. Professor Wu was a life-long advocate for developing life science research in Asia. In 1982, Professor Wu initiated the first large-scale exchange program in biology which brought over 400 students from China to obtain Ph.D. degrees in the US. The program opened the door for thousands of more Chinese students to study abroad and marked the beginning of Sino-US exchanges in life science research. This prize is dedicated in honor of Professor Ray Wu’s seminal contributions in training China’s new generation of biologists. Twenty one prizes have been awarded so far.

 

 

The Ray Wu Prize is awarded each year to graduate students for excellence in life science research. The process for selection of recipients is outlined in the following sections.

 

The Prize: The prize consists of USD $3000, a medal, a certificate, and a citation by the Ray Wu Memorial Fund (RWMF). Financial assistance for travel is available to the recipients for career advancement purposes. RWMF will serve as a liaison for the awardees who wish to seek consultation from established investigators as they develop their scientific careers.

Ten or more awards may be made each year. Candidates from all geographical areas are encouraged to apply and special considerations will be given to semifinalists from each underrepresented major geographical area.

 

Criteria: The Ray Wu Prize recognizes excellence in life science research by a graduate student for innovation, independent thinking, and dedication.

 

Qualifications: A candidate must be a graduate student who is pursuing a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in an institution located in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Singapore. The candidate must have advanced to candidacy in the PhD program by the deadline of application.

 

Important Dates:

March 31, 2012, deadline for applications to be received.

April 30, 2012, notification of receipt of completed applications (by email or other means).

August 30, 2012, completion of review.

Award ceremony, to be announced.

 

To apply, go to: http://www.raywumemorialfund.org/appication_process.php