AsianScientist (Aug. 16, 2025) – Asian Scientist Magazine has published the Asian Scientist 100 (2025 edition). This issue marks our 10th year of highlighting Asia’s top scientific talent. This year’s list features honorees, in their roles as researchers and leaders, who have spent their careers pushing the boundaries of science and protecting peopleand our environment.
In 2024, many researchers were recognized for standing tall and strong in addressing critical issues like the lasting impact of Agent Organge from the Vietnam War and opposing coal mining interests to protect forests and indigenous communities.
This year’s diverse list includes honorees from Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Asian Scientist 100 (2025 edition) features highly accomplished women advancing their fields while advocating for gender equality in research and education. For example, Professor Nieng Yan from Tsinghua University, China, was awarded the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science International Award for Asia and the Pacific. She was honored for her work revealing the structure of multiple membrane transport proteins. By better understanding these proteins, her research advanced treatment in disorders like epilepsy, arrhythmia and pain syndrome. As a professor, she consistently highlights the importance of creating supportive environments for attracting and retaining women in STEM fields.
Supporting women directly through her work Farwiza Farhan, Chairperson of Yayasan Hutan Alam dan Lingkungan Aceh (HAkA), Indonesia, was conferred the Ramon Magsaysay Award for leading HAkA’s efforts to protect Sumatra’s Leuser Ecosystem where rhinos, tigers, elephants and orangutans continue to live together in the wild. HAkA’s programs also aim to empower local communities and women to safeguard their future. In their programs, women are given paralegal and citizen-journalism training as well as opportunities to lead ranger groups that patrol forest areas to monitor poaching and illegal logging.
Our 10th edition of the Asian Scientist 100 also highlights trailblazers making headway in the continuing global struggle against climate change. Professor Tsutomu Miyasaki from Toin University of Yokohama, Japan was honored for his discovery of organo-lead halide compounds as absorbers for perovskite solar cells, leading to improved efficiency in solar cells. His work is expected to greatly contribute to global carbon-neutral goals.
Environmentalist, Alok Shukla is featured on the list for leading a community campaign that saved 445,000 acres of biodiversity-rich forests from 21 planned coal mines in central India. Inspired by his childgood in the mineral-rich state of Chhattisgarh where he withnessed the environmental and social damages caused by extractive industries, today he works closely with indigenous communities to support their forest and land rights.
The list also includes Stockholm Water Prize laureate Professor Taikan Oki, Special Advisor to the President and a Professor at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He was presented the award during World Water Week for his contributions to sustainable water management through practical climate adaptation strategies, integrating human activity into water cycle models and enhancing the accuracy of global river flow simulations. He continues to champion for closer links between the scientific aspects of hydroplogy and water policy, social issues and interdisciplinary research.
To be included on the Asian Scientist 100, honorees must have been awarded a national or international prize in 2024. Alternatively, they must have achieved a significant accomplishment in scientific discovery or leadership in scientific enterprise.
This year, we are especially thankful to Asian Scientist Magazine’s International Advisory Committee for their support in helping us create a diverse and equitable Asian Scientist 100 list.
“We are honored to spotlight the inspiring work of Asia’s researchers over the last decade,” said Dr Juliana Chan, CEO and publisher of Asian Scientist Magazine. “We hope to continue this effort for years to come and inspire the next generation of rising research stars.”
The list, in no order of merit, is available online here.
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Illustration: Emma Cheng/Asian Scientist Magazine.
Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine.
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