Bangalore: India-based Infosys Science Foundation has chosen Dr Satyajit Mayor, professor, cellular organization and signaling, National Center for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India, as the winner of the Infosys Prize 2012 in the life sciences category for his outstanding research contributions. The prize for each category includes a gold medallion, a citation certificate, and prize money of over $90,000.

The Infosys Prize, which is now in its fourth year, ranks among the highest monetary awards in India that recognizes scientific research. Dr Satyajit Mayor by a jury comprising of eminent scientists and professors from around the world and chaired by Professor Inder Verma.

Mr S Gopalakrishnan, executive co-chairman, Infosys, and president, board of trustees, Infosys Science Foundation, while speaking about the awards said that, "The ability to create, distribute, and use knowledge is a major source of competitive advantage, wealth creation, and quality-of-life improvements. We hope the winners will serve as role-models to motivate young Indians choose vocations in scientific research and increase innovative work and discovery being done in the country today."

Mr N R Narayana Murthy, chairman emeritus, Infosys, and trustee, Infosys Science Foundation, said that, "I am delighted that the Infosys Prize continues to recognize the finest researchers for their unparalleled achievements. It is our aim to promote ground-breaking research, while encouraging young minds in India to explore the sciences. The Infosys Prize is a step in this direction and will inspire many more Indians to achieve these important goals."

The award ceremony for the Infosys Prize 2012 will be held on January 3, 2013, in New Delhi, where Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former Prime Minister of Norway, and former director general, World Health Organization (WHO), will felicitate the winners. The Infosys Science Foundation is funded by a corpus which today stands at over $ 18 million, contributed by the trustees and Infosys.