The 2025 World Laureates Forum (WLF) will officially open on October 25 at the Lingang Center in Shanghai. With the theme “Science in Future: Shanghai and the World,” this year’s forum brings together leading scientists from more than ten countries and regions, including four Nobel Laureates, four Turing Award winners, and over twenty Academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
01 The Scientists’ “Q&A Wall”
Inside the venue filled with world-renowned scientists, several thoughtfully designed “Q&A Walls” have captured visitors’ attention. These walls feature questions collected from public submissions, ranging from everyday phenomena and human emotions to cosmic-scale scientific mysteries.
The questions reflect the public’s deep curiosity and imagination, inspiring scientists to think across disciplines.
Why Did an Unconscious Universe Give Rise to Conscious Human Beings?
When asked the profound question “How can an unconscious universe give rise to conscious humanity?”, Clifford P. Brangwynne, recipient of the 2023 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, called it “a fascinating question.” He went on to wonder whether the universe itself might possess a form of self-awareness or “conscious reflection.”
How Long Could Humans Survive If the Sun Suddenly Went Out?
Jørgen Kallo, winner of the Eni Award for Advanced Environmental Technologies, responded with a rigorous yet straightforward analysis.
He predicted that if the Sun suddenly ceased to shine, global temperatures would plummet to –20 to –30 °C within days, posing a lethal threat of cold to humanity.
Even with reserves of oil and natural gas, their utility would be limited in total darkness and freezing conditions. His conclusion is “Humans could survive for no more than two weeks.”
How to Balance Scientific Research and Personal Life?
Randy Schekman, Laureate of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, chose to answer a question close to scientists’ daily reality: “How do you balance research and life?”
He noted that scientific work demands total commitment and continuous effort, but success depends on “passion” and “time management” to achieve a healthy balance between career and life.
These Q&A moments not only highlight the scientists’ professional expertise but also reveal the humanistic concern behind scientific thinking.
Science is not just about laboratory data and experiments, it is a comprehensive reflection on the human condition, from the origins of the universe to the destiny of humankind and the work–life balance of individual researchers.
02 The Light of Science: The WLA Prize Honors the Power of Basic Research
This year, the WLA Prize in Life Science or Medicine is jointly awarded to Scott D. Emr of Cornell University and Wesley I. Sundquist of the University of Utah. The two biochemists are recognized for their groundbreaking discoveries that unveiled the core cellular mechanisms governing receptor membrane protein trafficking and degradation. They will share a total prize of RMB 10 million.
Their fundamental research illuminated the cell’s internal “waste-removal and logistics system”. The ESCRT pathway, a discovery that has brought revolutionary progress to the treatment of AIDS. Building upon their findings, pharmaceutical companies developed lenacapavir, the world’s first long-acting HIV pre-exposure prophylactic that provides six months of protection per dose, transforming HIV therapy from daily pills to a twice-yearly injection.
Professor Emr remarked, “It is deeply rewarding to see how that initial curiosity has ultimately enabled us to understand, and even combat, devastating diseases like HIV, offering the strongest testament to the enduring value of basic science.”
03 A Stellar Lineup of World-Leading Scientists
This year’s Forum brings together 25 distinguished laureates, including recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Wolf Prize, and Fields Medal, along with numerous Academicians, renowned experts, and outstanding young scientists from China and abroad.
Among the distinguished guests are four Nobel Laureates, four Turing Award Laureates, and celebrated scientists working in China such as Shing-Tung Yau and Andrew Chi-Chih Yao.
Twelve globally recognized scientists will make their debut appearance at the Forum, injecting new vitality into the event, while many returning laureates will continue to play pivotal roles.
Participants expressed great enthusiasm about the upcoming gathering.
Pascal Meyer, Laureate of the 2022 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences said, “This is my first time attending the World Laureates Forum in China. It’s a wonderful opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas with everyone here.”
Jack J. Dongarra, Laureate of the 2021 Turing Award, noted that he looked forward to sharing his views and inspiring other scientists to push their research further.
Karolin Luger, Laureate of the 2023 WLA Prize in Life Science or Medicine added, “I was here two years ago when I received the WLA Prize, and I’m thrilled to return.
I’m especially excited about the Youth Scientists segment — their energy is truly inspiring.”
04 A Grand Festival of Science in Full Swing
The 2025 Forum features a comprehensive, multi-layered program structured around
one Main Forum + six Sub-forums + over ten Satellite Events, focusing on broad global issues while delving into specialized academic frontiers. Together, they form a diverse and high-level international academic festival.
Jointly organized with Shanghai’s leading universities and laboratories, the Forum presents six themed sub-forums: Youth Scientists Conference, Life Sciences Conference, Intelligent Science Conference, Material Science Conference, Lingang Brain Disease Conference and Möbius Night. Each sub-forum will spotlight key disciplines and interdisciplinary frontiers, fostering deeper discussions and collaborations across the scientific community.
05 Connecting the World and the Future
Since its establishment in 2018 in the Lingang Special Area of Shanghai, the World Laureates Forum (WLF) has remained devoted to building a global bridge that connects the world’s leading scientists.
This year, the Forum’s connection with Shanghai is even stronger.
All sub-forums are jointly organized by the Shanghai Lingang Science and Technology Innovation Development Foundation, in collaboration with Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, East China Normal University, and the Lingang Laboratory, among other top academic and research institutions in the city.
Tomorrow’s Award Ceremony will once again celebrate the light of science, a moment when the world’s greatest minds engage in thought-provoking exchanges that continue to inspire global attention and anticipation.
Information provided by Knews and Shangguan News.
