The Nobel Prizes in the categories of physiology, physics, chemistry, literature, peace and economics were awarded earlier this month, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 13.
The Physiology prize was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries about the immune system that allowed for the development of new treatments. The Physics prize was awarded to John Clarke, Michael H. Devoret and John M. Martinis for their contributions to the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization in an electric circuit. The Chemistry prize was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi for their construction of metal-organic frameworks, which can be used to capture water from dry areas, according to the Nobel Prize Website.
“The Nobel Peace Prize matters because it provides recognition for those who are making great changes in the world,” co-president of the social youth neuroscience organization (SCYNA) and sophomore Mahima Wuppalapati said. “It’s important to [recognize] those people and [show] their achievements to the world, so other people can hopefully follow in their footsteps.”
The literature prize was awarded to Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai, whose works are characterized by absurdism and remain part of the Central European tradition. The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt for their work explaining how innovation can lead to economic growth. Lastly, the Peace prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela, according to the Nobel Prize Website.
While the Nobel Prize remains one of the highest international honors, its awarding does not remain without controversy. Machado, in particular, has been the center of global attention due to her role as a political figure and has sparked contention by dedicating her prize to President Donald Trump, according to Politico.
The prize should recognize advocates involved in more universally threatening conflicts instead of politically divisive ones, according to world history teacher Natasha Schottland.
“I would like to see [the Prize] not be so politically divisive [in terms of] choosing people,” Schottland said. “There are a lot of politicians, grassroots and global, who are doing good things for society. But politicians like the one that was chosen, [Machado], are very divisive…I think that the committee that awards these prizes should step away from that and look more at a larger scale of who is doing good for society.”
The prize laureates will receive a diploma, a medal and 11 million Swedish kronor (about 1.7 million dollars). The peace prize will be awarded in Oslo, Norway, while all the other prizes will be awarded in Stockholm on Dec. 10.
