On August 13, 2026, the Future Science Prize announced its latest laureates, with Zhang Hong, president of the Biophysical Society of China and a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Biophysics, receiving the Life Sciences Prize. Zhang was recognized for his groundbreaking work in uncovering the autophagy mechanisms and physiological functions unique to multicellular organisms.

The Future Science Prize, established in 2016 by a group of Chinese scientists and entrepreneurs, honors original research in basic sciences. It awards scientists who have made outstanding contributions primarily in China's mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The prize includes three categories: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics and Computer Science, each offering a reward of approximately 7 million yuan ($1.04 million).

Zhang's pioneering research on autophagy—a critical cellular degradation and recycling process—has significantly advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms in higher organisms. His work using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans led to the discovery of a set of autophagy genes, named EPG genes, exclusive to multicellular organisms. This research, highlighted in his 2010 landmark paper in Cell, has deepened insights into autophagy's roles in development, homeostasis, and disease.

Born in Anhui, China, in 1969, Zhang earned his Ph.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2001. The Future Science Prize's selection criteria include significant international impact, originality, and work primarily conducted in the Greater China region.

The 2026 Future Science Prize Week will be held in Hong Kong from November 6-9, featuring discussions on cutting-edge scientific topics and a prestigious award ceremony at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre.