Professor Chung Myung Hee was honored for her outstanding research in “Investigating the Role of Oxygen Radicals in Carcinogenesis and Aging through DNA Damage” for her active and high-level research in the core areas of life phenomena. In particular, Chung served as the head of the Seoul National University panel that investigated the truth of Professor Hwang Woo Suk's embryonic stem cell thesis, revealing its falsity and emphasizing the ethical aspects of life science research.
Director Oh Tae Hwan
Age-Related & Brain Diseases Research Center, Kyung Hee University
Field of Award
Life Sciences
Achievement
Director Oh Tae Hwan has been recognized for his outstanding achievements in neuroscience, particularly in nerve injury and regeneration research. He has contributed to the development of life sciences in Korea by actively training young scientists, providing opportunities for Korean scholars to study abroad, and improving the conditions for domestic research in neuroscience.
Director Heinz Wassle
Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research (Germany)
Field of Award
Life Sciences
Achievement
Dr. Wessle became the youngest director of the Institute for Brain Research in 1981 at the age of 38, has published more than 180 papers to date, and has been researching the mechanisms of visual information processing since 1970. The Max Planck Institute for Brain Research contributes significantly to developing neuroscience research in Korea through various training programs and research.
Catholic Institute of Bioethics
(Director Rev. Kim Joong Ho)
Field of Award
Humanities
Achievement
The Catholic Institute of Bioethics is the first bioethics institute established at a university in Korea. It researches and teaches bioethics based on evangelical values. In particular, the institute has been actively conducting interdisciplinary joint research on various bioethical issues, providing bioethics education to university (graduate) students, priests, monks, and nuns, and professors of medical and nursing schools, and has played a major role in research activities based on Catholic bioethics by creating various ethical guidelines.
Archbishop Elio Sgreccia (Cardinal at the time of his death in 2023)
Pontifical Academy for Life
Field of Award
Humanities
Achievement
Archbishop Sgreccia was highly regarded as a key figure in providing the academic foundation for bioethics in the Catholic Church. In particular, Archbishop Sgreccia was honored with the Mystery of Life laureate for his outstanding scholarly work in promoting the Catholic Church's bioethical teaching to the world through his many remarkable books and lectures, which have been used as bioethics textbooks.
Professor Mary Ann Glendon
Harvard Law School (U.S.)
Field of Award
Activities
Achievement
Professor Glendon is a world-renowned lay scholar who is active not only in universities but also in the Church, serving as president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, advisor to the Pontifical Council for the Family, and advisor to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' International Policy Committee. She has lectured extensively on human rights and other areas of law, actively promoting the dignity and value of life.
