In recognition of his groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astronomy, Shrinivas R. Kulkarni, an Indian-origin professor from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), has been awarded the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy for 2024.
Kulkarni, the George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Caltech's Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, has been honoured for his pioneering work on millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other variable or transient astronomical objects.
The Shaw Prize Foundation lauded Kulkarni's contributions to time-domain astronomy, which culminated in the conception, construction, and leadership of the Palomar Transient Factory and its successor, the Zwicky Transient Facility.
These groundbreaking projects have revolutionized our understanding of the time-variable optical sky.
"The Shaw Prize in Astronomy is awarded to Shrinivas R. Kulkarni for his groundbreaking discoveries about millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other variable or transient astronomical objects," the Foundation stated.
Kulkarni's illustrious career spans decades of pioneering research and leadership roles. After obtaining his M.S. from the Indian Institute of Technology in 1978, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of California in 1983. Among his many achievements, Kulkarni served as the director of Caltech Optical Observatories from 2006 to 2018.
The Shaw Prize, established by the late Hong Kong-based philanthropist Run Run Shaw, consists of three annual prizes in Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences, each carrying a monetary award of $1.2 million.
Alongside Kulkarni, the 2024 Shaw Prize recipients include Swee Lay Thein and Stuart Orkin from the United States, who received the Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine, and Peter Sarnak, another US scientist, who was awarded the Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences.
The presentation ceremony for the 21st edition of the Shaw Prize is scheduled for November 12, 2024, in Hong Kong, celebrating the exceptional contributions of these esteemed scientists to their respective fields.
