Shrinivas R. Kulkarni, an Indian-origin astronomy professor based in the US, is set to receive the esteemed Shaw Prize in Astronomy. He is being honoured for his pioneering research on millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and various other variable or transient astronomical phenomena. 

In addition to Shrinivas R. Kulkarni, the George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at the California Institute of Technology, the other recipients of the Shaw Prize are Swee Lay Thein and Stuart Orkin, both from the US, who are being honoured with the Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine, and Peter Sarnak, another US scientist, who is receiving the Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences. 

The Shaw Prize Foundation, in announcing the Shaw Laureates for 2024, highlighted Shrinivas R. Kulkarni's significant contributions to time-domain astronomy. They noted his pivotal role in conceiving, constructing, and leading the Palomar Transient Factory and its successor, the Zwicky Transient Facility. These initiatives have fundamentally transformed our comprehension of the time-variable optical sky. 

The Shaw Prize comprises three annual awards: Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences, each accompanied by a monetary prize of USD 1.2 million. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the Prize's establishment, with the presentation ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 in Hong Kong. 

Shrinivas R. Kulkarni's biography on the website of Caltech's Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy reveals his academic journey. He obtained his MS degree from the Indian Institute of Technology in 1978, followed by a PhD from the University of California in 1983. Throughout his career, he has amassed numerous accomplishments, including serving as the director of Caltech Optical Observatories from 2006 to 2018. 

According to information on The Shaw Prize website, Run Run Shaw, a prominent figure in the Hong Kong film and television industry, and a noted philanthropist, established the Shaw Foundation Hong Kong and The Sir Run Run Shaw Charitable Trust. These organizations are committed to advancing various areas, including education, scientific and technological research, medical and welfare services, as well as culture and the arts. 

Image Source: India Today