The 24th Annual Kyoto Prize Symposium in Review

From left: Inamori Foundation President, Ms. Shinobu Inamori-Kanazawa and Kyoto Prize Laureates: Sir John Pendry, Mr. Willliam Forsythe and Dr. Paul F. Hoffman

The Kyoto Symposium Organization (KSO) in partnership with The Inamori Foundation, UC San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene University, hosted the 24th Annual Kyoto Prize Symposium (KPS), March 11 – 14. KPS once again offered a week of exchange, connection and inspiration for Southern California and Tijuana audiences receiving over 1,000 attendees at its public presentations and workshops. To celebrate the 2024 Kyoto Prize Laureates: Sir John Pendry, Dr. Paul Hoffman and Mr. William Forsythe, KSO hosted its annual benefit gala awarding over $50,000 in college scholarships.

All laureate presentations will be made available online at UCSD-TV in late Spring.

Sir John Pendry in Q&A discussion with audience

Visiting from London was leading theoretical physicist and Advanced Technology laureate, Sir John Pendry who lectured on his groundbreaking research in metamaterials – materials not found in nature to produce remarkable effects such an invisibility and perfect lenses. Sir Pendry concluded his lecture with the practical applications of metamaterials and its possibilities for the future. Following his presentation Pendry engaged the audience in a Q&A session moderated by UCSD’s Associate Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Michael Frazier and Professor of Physics, Richard Averitt.

Sir Pendry also provided additional technical talks at UCSD on the history and future of metamaterials with invited scholars Prof. David Smith from Duke University and Prof. Andrea Alù from CUNY.

Dr. Paul Hoffman meeting students from Tijuana

“Dancing continents and frozen oceans: reading Earth’s diary in natural stone tablets” was the title of Basic Sciences laureate and Canadian geologist, Dr. Paul F. Hoffman’s lecture at UCSD. Dr. Hoffman explained his pivotal research on the self-reversing ‘Snowball Earth’ hypothesis and provided context for how the Earth’s surface biosphere survived these pan-glacial states.  Moderated by Prof. Ian Eisenman of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Dr. Hoffman answered questions from the audience, including how his life and upbringing in the outdoors influenced him.

Following his main presentation were ancillary workshops at SIO and a public Torrey Pines field excursion led by Dr. Hoffman and SDSU’s Professor Emeritus, Dr. Patrick Abbot.

Mr. Wiliam Forsythe’s teaching demonstration with UCSD students

American choreographer and Arts & Philosophy laureate, William Forsythe known for extending ballet to a dynamic contemporary art form focused on his life story in his evolution of “Billy, Bill and William.” His presentation documented his relationships with nature, explaining how his self-training and the legacy of his mentors encouraged him to examine and question the nature of reality. Mr. Forsythe ended his presentation with questions from the audience moderated by Prof. Lisa Portes, Chair of UCSD’s Department of Theatre and Dance.  

Following his presentation, Mr. Forsythe invited audiences to view his demonstration with over 30 dance students and professionals at The Molli Arthur Wagner Dance Studio 3 followed by an interview with Molly Puryear, Executive Director of Malashock Dance.

Mr. William Forsythe with high school students from San Diego and Tijuana

A Tijuana student poses a question to Dr. Paul Hoffman

High school students waiting to meet Sir John Pendry

As part of KSO’s mission to increase science and arts exposure for the next generation, San Diego public and private high schools were invited to attend the laureate presentations. With a goal to double high school student attendance in underserved communities from last year, and provide equitable access to KPS, KSO sponsored busing for over 550 students. Sponsored high schools included Chula Vista, Morse, Hoover, El Cajon, Mar Vista, San Ysidro, Sweetwater, Southwest, Eastlake, Monarch and Tijuana schools: Preparatoria CETYS, Preparatoria Federal Lázaro Cárdenas, and Universidad Tecnológica de Tijuana. In partnership with the Winward Academy and Teens Rise Foundation, KPS extended beyond its March week with pre and post work in the classrooms - working the teachers to prepare students for their KPS visit. In addition, lunches and campus tours were provided by UCSD.

From left: Councilmember Kent Lee, Consul General of Japan Kenko Sone, Sir John Pendry, Ms. Shinobu Inamori-Kanazawa, Dr. Paul Hoffman, KSO Chairman Paul Robinson, Councilmember Raul Campillo, and Council President Joe LaCava

The 2024-2025 Kyoto Prize Symposium Scholarship Winners interviewed on stage

Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra performance at the gala

The Southern California-Baja region came together for the 24th Annual Kyoto Prize Symposium Benefit Gala where the 2024-2025 Kyoto Scholarship Winners from San Diego and Tijuana were announced. Four hundred gathered at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center to honor the laureates. Many of KSO’s private sector partners including Gala Presenting Sponsor ResMed, and representatives from San Diego International Airport, Kyocera International, and U.S. Bank attended along with university and government leadership. In addition to showcasing the current scholarship winners, another highlight of the evening was hearing from six of KPS’s past scholarship recipients, seeing where their accomplishments have taken them. Guests enjoyed a variety of musical performances by up-and-coming artists in honor of the laureates including classical string, modern ballet dance, guitar and a cappella.

The Kyoto Prize Symposium is generously funded by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture. Thank you to our sponsors who help future generations to pursue the betterment of humanity.

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Kyoto Prize Symposium Scholarship Winners!

United States:

First Place Finalists

Adam Ramadan – Rancho Bernardo High School – Intended Field: Human Biology

Kate Xu – Del Norte High School – Intended Field: Environmental Engineering

Sarah Gao – Canyon Crest Academy – Intended Field: Environmental Systems Engineering & Public Policy

Second Place Finalists

Alex Battikha - Westview High School

Shreeya Patel - Del Norte High School

Alexa Southall - Eastlake High School

Third Place Finalists

Abigail Costello - Hilltop Senior High School

Shreena Dayal - Del Norte High School

Charlotte Lourey - Valhalla High School

Ivanna Ruiz - Olympian High School

Sydney Zhang - Westview High School

Mexico:

Camila Vanessa Beltrán Ramírez – Preparatoria Federal Lázaro Cárdenas – Intended Field: Pharmaceutical Biological Chemistry

Guillermo Anaya Ríos – Preparatoria Federal Lázaro Cárdenas – Intended Field: Electrical Engineering

Estefanía Denea Hernández Payan – Preparatoria CETYS Universidad – Intended Field: Electrical Engineering