Luiz Davidovich, a quantum physicist and Emeritus Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, has been named the recipient of the 2025 TWAS Apex Award.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the TWAS Apex Award, one of the most prestigious honours bestowed upon scientists from the developing world. In 2025, it focuses on quantum science and technology, recognizing outstanding contributions to this rapidly advancing field. It carries a monetary prize of USD 100,000, along with a medal and a certificate recognizing the recipient's achievements in science and technology.
With this award, The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS), a science academy based in Trieste, Italy, and administered as a UNESCO programme unit, joins the celebrations of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in June 2024, with UNESCO serving as the lead agency, the International Year commemorates the hundredth anniversary of foundational developments in quantum mechanics.
The award cites Davidovich “for his contributions to theoretical advances and groundbreaking experiments in quantum optics and quantum information, and for his worldwide leadership in the area of quantum science.”
Davidovich has made significant scientific contributions that relate to key areas of quantum technology, such as quantum computing, sensing, and communication. His research has enhanced the understanding of how quantum mechanical systems interact with their environments, which is essential for evaluating the resilience of quantum devices exposed to noise and for clarifying fundamental questions about the emergence of the every-day world from quantum principles.
"We congratulate TWAS Fellow Luiz Davidovich not only for his high-impact research in this field, but also for his commitment to ensuring his research benefits everyone, everywhere," said TWAS President Quarraisha Abdool Karim.
“Today, quantum science and technology are becoming deeply embedded into everyday life,” said Davidovich. “They power computers, solar panels, smartphones, medical tools such as lasers and MRI machines, advanced materials, GPS systems, and even precision agriculture.”
Quantum sensors, the focus of his recent work, also show significant potential for environmental and health monitoring, he said. For example, they can detect underground water and oil reserves and enhance medical diagnostics. He also mentioned that quantum computers, although still in early stages of development, could revolutionize fields such as drug discovery, materials design, logistics, and climate modelling.
These technologies all have the potential to improve quality of life, and Davidovich has also been a strong advocate for making sure their benefits are accessible worldwide.
“Ensuring broad access to these technologies is essential for closing the gap between wealthier and less developed countries,” he said. “For less developed nations, this requires both collaboration among themselves and training skilled professionals, as well as fostering innovative industries capable of developing technologies suited to local needs, thereby reducing reliance on foreign suppliers—especially in an era of increasing export restrictions.”
Davidovich will officially receive the award at the 17th TWAS General Conference. The conference, organized in partnership by the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and TWAS, will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 29 September to 2 October 2025. Its theme is: ‘Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation for Global Development.’
Elected a TWAS Fellow in 2002, Davidovich is a leading international science scholar. Born in Brazil, he earned a PhD in the United States. After working as an assistant professor in Switzerland, he returned to Brazil to pursue his extensive and influential scientific career, collaborating with colleagues at his university in Brazil and internationally with groups in France, Germany, and the United States, among others.
Davidovich has been actively involved with TWAS for many years. In 2001, he received the TWAS Prize for Physics, and in 2002, he was elected a TWAS Fellow. During the TWAS General Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2012, he co-organized a symposium on Quantum Information and Quantum Computing with 2012 TWAS Fellow Jian-Wei Pan, a professor at the University of Science and Technology of China. He served as TWAS Secretary-General from 2019 to 2022.
In 2010, he received Brazil's top science award from the Brazilian National Research Council. He served as President of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences from 2016 to 2022.
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