Swiss Science Prize Latsis

© Daniel Rihs

Mackenzie W. Mathis is the Prize winner in 2024

The Swiss Science Prize Latsis 2024 is awarded to Mackenzie W. Mathis, holder of the Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Integrative Neuroscience at EPFL. She has developed pioneering artificial intelligence algorithms in behavioural neuroscience.

Independent research of high quality

Worth 100,000 Swiss francs, the Swiss Science Prize Latsis – formerly National Latsis Prize – rewards researchers up to the age of 40 for outstanding achievements in basic science. Their work must be distinguished by a high degree of independence and scientific quality.

The SNSF awards the prize annually on behalf of the Latsis Foundation of Geneva. The winner is chosen by the National Research Council.

  • Prize winners since 1984

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    Year

    Prize winner

    Domain of research

    2023

    Physics

    2022

    law, medicine and technology

    2021

    Molecular oncology

    2020

    Mathematics

    2019

    Political scientist

    2018

    Immunology

    2017

    Chemical catalysis

    2016

    African history, decolonisation, forced labour

    2015

    Neurobiology of olfaction

    2014

    Physics: quantum optomechanics

    2013

    David Sander

    Affective science

    2012

    Jacques Fellay

    Genomics: defence mechanisms against viruses

    2011

    Karl Gademann

    Chemistry and biology: isolation and synthesis of natural materials

    2010

    Marianne Sommer

    History of science: exploring the life sciences

    2009

    Mirjam Christ Crain

    Medicine: biological stress caused by infectious diseases

    2008

    Franz Pfeiffer

    X-ray technology

    2007

    Giuliano Bonoli

    Political science: role of the welfare state in Europe

    2006

    Michael Hengartner

    Molecular biology: study of a model organism, a worm called Caenorhabditis elegans

    2005

    Patrick Jenny

    Engineering sciences: computer simulations of complex fluid systems in nature and technology

    2004

    Simon Gächter

    Empirical economics: cooperative behaviour

    2003

    Silvia Arber

    Neurobiology: neuronal circuit formation in the developing spinal cord

    2002

    Jérôme Faist

    Solid state physics: quantum cascade laser (QCL)

    2001

    Lorenza Mondada

    Interactional linguistics

    2000

    Laurent Keller

    Evolutionary ecology: ant behaviour

    1999

    Frédéric Merkt

    Chemical physics of molecules: spectroscopie and dynamics of atoms and molecules in electronically charged states

    1998

    Peter Schaber

    Ethics, applied ethics and environmental ethics

    1997

    Konrad Basler

    Zoology/developmental biology (drosophila fly)

    1996

    Martin Vetterli

    Audiovisual technology of the future: wavelet theory in communication

    1995

    Astrid Epiney

    Human rights and international environmenal law

    1994

    Denis Duboule

    Developmental biology and genetics

    1993

    Thomas Stocker

    Climate and environmental physics: the role of the oceans in climate change

    1992

    Maria Christina Pitassi

    History of theology and philosophy in the 17th and 18th century

    1991

    Susan Margaret Gasser-Wilson

    Cell biology: the role of nucleus proteins in organising and passing on genetic information

    1990

    Goeffrey Bodenhausen

    Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR)

    1989

    Anne-Nelly Perret-Clermont

    Social psychology and educational sciences

    1988

    Paul Schmid-Hempel

    Behavioural ecology

    1987

    John Paul Maier

    Physical chemistry: spectroscopic methods for analysing the properties of ionised molecules

    1986

    Ulrich Kohli

    Economics: analysis of international trade

    1985

    Otto Albrecht Haller

    Virology: resistence to flu viruses

    1984

    Jürg Fröhlich

    Mathematical physics; quantum theory

  • Swiss Science Prize Latsis award ceremony

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