KAUST VP declared co-winner of Japan prize

The Japanese Embassy announced on Saturday that Dr. Jean M. J. Frechet, vice president for research at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST), is the co-winner of the 2013 Japan Prize.
“The Japan Prize Foundation announced today that Dr. Jean M. J. Frechet and Prof. C. Grant Willson ... jointly won the Japan Prize in ‘Materials Production’ for their outstanding achievement in the development of chemically amplified resist polymer materials for innovative semiconductor manufacturing process,” the embassy said in a statement. The Japan Prize Foundation annually awards the Japan Prize, now in its 29th year, to scientists and researchers in two categories who, regardless of nationality, made substantial contributions to their field as well as to peace and prosperity for mankind.
The Japan Prize for “Biological Production and Biological Environment” went to John Frederick Grassle of the United States for his contribution to “marine environmental conservation through research on ecology and biodiversity of deep sea organisms.”
In a recorded acceptance speech, Dr. Frechet gave advice to young scientists, saying that to solve technological problems, it is often advantageous to gather a team of people with different backgrounds.
“Some will be able to draw from their experience and intimate knowledge of a technology and the others may have a different background and perhaps little experience but may be able to suggest new or unusual ideas,” he said.
He added that he “had been greatly honored to work closely with Prof. Grant Willson, a man with a most creative mind, outstanding leadership qualities and a wonderful personality.”
Each of the winners will receive a cash reward of 50 milion yen (approximately $560,000).