On April 10th, 2018 Ho-Am Foundation Chairman, Byungdoo Sohn announced Professor Hee Oh as one of its 28th annual Prize Laureates for Prize in Science. This prize consists of a diploma, pure gold medal (187.5g) and a cash prize of KRW 300 million (approx. 275,000 USD).
Hee Oh is a world-leading mathematician in the field of homogeneous dynamics. She proved the asymptotics of the number of circles for a fractal-like structure known as an ‘Apollonian circle packing’. Her work is expected to be of value in interpreting the structure of fractals in nature.
Laureates were chosen from among candidates that were recommended by leading organizations and experts, at home and abroad, from each professional field. Over a period of 4 months, scholars (both Korean and foreign) and experts conducted comprehensive evaluations of each candidate, based on input from advisory reviews as well as on-site surveys.
Prior to and after the ceremony, commemorative lectures by the laureates are scheduled to be held at major universities, academies, and high schools across the nation. The Ho-Am Foundation will also invite high school students to attend a special lecture delivered by a Nobel and a Ho-Am Laureate on June 2nd.
The Ho-Am Foundation will hold its 6th “Ho-Am Forum”, which provides opportunities for domestic and international experts, as well as Ho-Am Laureates, to have inter-disciplinary exchanges. The forum will be held on May 30th and 31st.
The Ho-Am Prize was established in 1990 by Mr. Kun-Hee Lee, the Chairman of Samsung, with a vision to create a new corporate culture that carries on the noble spirit of public service upheld by the late Chairman Byung-chull Lee. The prize is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to academics, the arts, and social development, and who have furthered the welfare of humanity through distinguished accomplishments in their respective professional fields.