Prof. George GAO (GAO Fu) and Prof. Yin Li won the 2012 TWAS Prize in Medical Sciences and the TWAS-ROESEAP Regional Prize respectively.

Gao is honoured for his contribution to our understanding of the molecular basis of the pathogenicity of influenza viruses and related basic studies, which provide insight into the prevention and control of influenza virus infection and drug development. (http://english.cas.cn/Ne/CASE/201209/t20120919_91225.shtml)

Li was deeply involved, from 2007 to 2009, in the establishment of the Tianjin Industrial Biotechnology R&D Centre, CAS (now the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology) and served as its founding deputy director, and later, member of the scientific advisory board. Li also greatly contributed to the development of the industrial biotechnology programme of CAS, as witnessed not only by the establishment of the new institute, but also a key laboratory, new initiatives, and new platforms.(http://twas.ictp.it/news-in-home-page/news/tianjin/winners-of-2012-twas-regional-prize-announced)