The Bodossaki Foundation announced the two distinguished Greek scientists honored with the Bodossaki Excellence Award 2026 for their pioneering, internationally recognized life’s work: preeminent theoretical computer scientist Christos Papadimitriou and internationally renowned economist Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg.
The Bodossaki Excellence Award is awarded biennially to Greeks who have dedicated their lives to science. It is accompanied by a cash prize of €100,000.
In the field of Technological Sciences: The award is presented to Christos Papadimitriou, Donovan Family Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University, USA.
In the field of Social Sciences: The award is presented to Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg, William Nordhaus Professor of Economics and Global Affairs at Yale University, USA.
The awards will be presented by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Konstantinos An. Tasoulas, at an official ceremony to be held on Thursday, 25 June 2026, at Megaron the Athens Concert Hall.
“The objective of the Bodossaki Excellence Award is twofold: to serve as our country’s most elevated scientific recognition for Greek scientists who have expanded the frontiers of knowledge, and to showcase crucial role models for the generations to come,” notes Athina Dessypri, President of the Board of Trustees of the Bodossaki Foundation.
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Ms. Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg and Mr. Christos Papadimitriou into the prestigious circle of the institution’s laureates.”
About the Bodossaki Foundation laureates’ scientific contributions
Christos Papadimitriou: The Limits of Computation
Christos Papadimitriou has had a decisive influence on theoretical computer science, shaping the language and tools on which modern algorithmic design is based.
Foundations of Complexity: His early research laid the mathematical foundations of computational complexity theory—the study of what computers can and cannot solve efficiently. He pioneered the study of approximation algorithms and computationally intractable problems, such as finding equilibrium points in games.
Interdisciplinary Pioneer: Over the last three decades, he has used computational theory as an interpretive tool for other sciences. He is a founder of algorithmic game theory (crucial to our understanding of the Internet) and has since expanded his research into biology, evolutionary theory, the human brain, and artificial intelligence.
Public Engagement: Beyond academia, he has popularized modern computational theory among students and the broader public through both foundational textbooks and acclaimed novels.
Academic Background: A graduate of the National Technical University of Athens and Princeton, he has taught at Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UCSD, UC Berkeley, and Columbia University. He is a full member of the Academy of Athens, the US National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering.
Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg: Empirical Analysis of Global Trade and Development
Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg is a leading researcher in the empirical analysis of global trade policy, focusing on international trade, inequality, and development.
Measuring Globalization: By combining microeconomic data with structural economic models, she has produced critical estimates regarding the impact of globalization on social well-being and the unequal distribution of its benefits both between and within countries.
Nuanced Trade Impacts: Her work has demonstrated that the effects of trade liberalization are not uniform; rather, they depend on market structures, competition, institutional conditions, and domestic policies.
Global Leadership: As Chief Economist of the World Bank (2018–2020), she enhanced research transparency and promoted evidence-based policy design. She has also served as Editor-in-Chief of the American Economic Review and President of the Econometric Society.
Current Focus: Her recent work analyzes shifts in globalization—including the US-China trade war and the resurgence of industrial policy—as well as the role of gender-based distortions in restricting economic growth.
Academic Background: She studied at the University of Freiburg and completed her Ph.D. at Stanford. She has held tenured professorships at Princeton, Columbia, and Yale. She is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and an International Fellow of the British Academy.
Related: 10 Foundations Join Forces to Help Start-Ups, Non-Profits in Greece
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
