Nambu Award Program

The Nambu Award was established in honor of Dr. Yoichiro Nambu, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago and recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics. Born in Japan and a foundational figure in both Japanese and American scientific life, Dr. Nambu made transformative contributions to theoretical physics — most notably his work on spontaneous symmetry breaking, which gave rise to the Nambu-Goldstone boson, a fundamental concept in quantum field theory that continues to shape our understanding of the universe.

The award recognizes American students living in Illinois who excel in the sciences. JASC works closely with the Illinois Science Olympiad and the Nambu Committee to select winning teams across categories each year, honoring the spirit of discovery and rigorous inquiry that defined Dr. Nambu’s extraordinary career.

Support the Nambu Award Program

Sponsorship of the Nambu Award Program is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of scientists while celebrating the enduring legacy of U.S.–Japan intellectual exchange. Our sponsorship tiers are named in tribute to Dr. Nambu’s contributions to physics:

Boson Sponsors ($850) Named for the Nambu-Goldstone boson — one of Dr. Nambu’s most celebrated theoretical discoveries.

Quantum Sponsors ($450) Named in honor of the quantum field theory framework to which Dr. Nambu devoted his life’s work.

New sponsors are welcome at either level. To join the Nambu Award Program or for more information, please contact us at [email protected].

Boson Sponsors ($850)

• Molex, Inc.
• MUFG Bank, Ltd.

Quantum Sponsors ($450)

• Cornerstone Environmental, Health & Safety, Inc.
• KPMG LLP
• Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc.
• OMRON Management Center of America, Inc.
• Sangram Sisodia, Ph.D.
• TDK Corporation of America, Inc.
• Sho Yano, M.D., Ph.D.