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ASPIRE Prize 2013

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The APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (“ASPIRE”) is an annual award to recognize young scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication, and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies. 

The ASPIRE Prize supports APEC’s mission to:

  • strengthen international science and technology networks;
  • enhance economic growth, trade and investment opportunities in harmony with sustainable development, through policies, innovative R&D and technologies, and knowledge sharing; and
  • improve linkages and efficiency between research and innovation.   

2013 NOMINATION THEME

Each year the APEC host economy is asked to provide a theme to guide nominations for the ASPIRE Prize to be awarded in their host year.  For its host year of 2013 Indonesia selects “SUSTAINABLE OCEAN DEVELOPMENT” as the ASPIRE theme, building on its desire that APEC actively promote environmentally and economically sustainable solutions for oceans and waterways.

Each member economy, through its representative on the APEC Policy Partnership for Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI),  is invited to nominate one young scientist under the age of 40 to be considered for the 2013 ASPIRE Prize.  Nominees should demonstrate excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication, and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies in subjects such as: oceanography and marine sciences; aquaculture and fisheries science; hydrology; hydrography; coastal geography; environmental science and ecology, among others.

ELIGIBILITY

Any citizen of an APEC member economy is eligible to be nominated for the ASPIRE Prize.  He/she must be living at the time of his/her nomination and be under the age of 40 as of 31 December of that year (i.e., all 2013 nominees must be under the age of 40 as of 31 December 2013). 

SELECTION PROCESS

Each member economy, through its representative on the APEC Policy Partnership for Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI),  is invited to nominate one young scientist under the age of 40 by 10 May 2013 to be considered for the 2013 ASPIRE Prize. 

Direct submission by individually qualified applicants are encouraged to complete the “Local Nomination Form” and send it to Mr. Mikiharu Shimizu ([email protected]) of the APEC PPSTI by April 26th, 2013 so it may be directed toward local economy reviewers.

Once nominations are received PPSTI members rank the nominees through a selection ballot to determine the winner. PPSTI members are asked to judge the nominees based on how well they have demonstrated:

  • excellence in scientific research, as evidenced through scholarly publication;
  • commitment to cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies; and
  • contribution to the theme selected by that year’s host economy.

The winner will be recognized at an award ceremony during the Third APEC Senior Officials Meeting in Medan, Indonesia on 1 or 2 July 2013.

ASPIRE PRIZE SPONSORS

Wiley and Elsevier, two of the world’s leading publishers of scholarly scientific knowledge, have committed to funding prize money in the amount of $25,000 USD. 

2013 ASPIRE PRIZE WINNER

Dr. Carissa Klein (Australia)

Dr. Carissa Klein of Australia was awarded the APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) by Gusti M. Hatta, Indonesia’s Minister of Research and Technology. Dr. Klein’s selection is a result of her research with the University of Queensland that uniquely addresses the issue of sustainable ocean development by striking a balance between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic viability. Read news release here.

PREVIOUS ASPIRE PRIZE WINNERS

2012: Dr. Rossa Wai Kwun Chiu (Hong Kong, China)

Russia selected health innovation as its 2012 ASPIRE nominating theme, building on its desire that APEC actively foster cooperation among economies in major innovation areas, such as human health, to support healthy lifestyles, productivity and economic growth.  Dr. Chiu’s groundbreaking research and innovations in chemical pathology has brought non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic diseases into routine clinical use around the world.

2011: Dr. Ali Javey (United States)

The United States selected green growth as its ASPIRE nominating theme, building on its desire that APEC actively promote environmentally sustainable economic growth and development, and help economies successfully transition to a clean energy future.  Dr. Javey’s innovative work with nanomaterials has made great strides in developing a new generation of solar energy technology and reducing energy consumption in “green electronics.”