Caltech alumnus and founding scientist at Chai Discovery, Zhuoran Qiao, won the grand prize at the inaugural Chen Institute and SciencePrize for his innovative application of AI in biochemistry, specifically in predicting protein behavior to accelerate drug discovery.

Qiao received a $30,000 grand prize for his research on using AI as a 'computational microscope' to model protein dynamics, building on Nobel-winning work in protein folding prediction.

His work aims to create dynamic models that illustrate how proteins change and interact with smaller molecules, potentially transforming pharmaceutical development.

The three winners, including Dr. Aditya Nair and Dr. Alizée Roobaert, share a total cash prize of $50,000, and their research essays will be published in Science Magazine.

Caltech and Stanford Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Aditya Nair was recognized as a finalist for his AI-driven research analyzing neuron interactions, revealing patterns that influence mental and emotional states.

Nair's research indicates that neuron interactions form lasting patterns mediated by neuropeptides, independent of individual neuron activity, advancing understanding of neural mechanisms.

Belgian researcher Alizée Roobaert was also a finalist for her innovative AI approach modeling CO2 absorption in coastal waters, contributing to climate science.

All three winners will present their groundbreaking research at the first annual Chen Institute Symposium for AI Accelerated Science in San Francisco on October 27-28, 2025.

The Chen Institute, founded in 2016 with a $115 million donation, aims to advance human understanding through neuroscience and AI research, with the AAAS serving as a major scientific society supporting these efforts.

Qiao earned his PhD in chemistry from Caltech, focusing on machine learning methods for modeling complex chemical systems, which underpins his current work in AI-driven biochemistry.

The winners' research essays will be published in Science Magazine, highlighting their contributions to scientific progress.

Qiao's work builds upon Nobel-winning research using generative AI to predict protein folding, creating models that show how proteins change and interact with molecules.

The Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience at Caltech was established in 2016 with a $115 million donation from philanthropists Tianqiao Chen and Chrissy Luo, supporting innovative neuroscience research.