$1-Million Shaw Prizes Are Awarded to 5 Scientists

Five professors at American institutions were named on Thursday as laureates of the Shaw Prizes for 2010 in recognition of significant scientific breakthroughs.

The Shaw Prizes, now in their seventh year, are awarded annually in three categories: astronomy, mathematical sciences, and life science and medicine. Each prize carries a cash award of $1-million.

The recipient of the award in life science and medicine is David Julius, chairman of the department of physiology at the University of California at San Francisco. Mr. Julius was honored for his study of the molecular mechanics involved with sensing temperature and pain stimuli on the skin, and with hypersensitivity.

Jean Bourgain, a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, in Princeton, N.J., received the prize in mathematical sciences for his achievements in the mathematical analysis of differential equations, number theory, and mathematical physics, among other subjects.

The prize for astronomy was shared by Charles L. Bennett, a professor of physics and astronomy at the Johns Hopkins University; David N. Spergel, chair of the department of astrophysical sciences at Princeton University; and Lyman A. Page Jr., a professor of physics at Princeton. They were recognized for their work on precise determinations of fundamental cosmological parameters, a project known as the Wilkinson Microwave Anistropy Probe experiment.

The international prizes are awarded by the Shaw Prize Foundation, in Hong Kong. The winners will be honored at a presentation ceremony there on September 28.