Capo D'Orlando Prize
The Capo d'Orlando Prize, promoted by the Mineralogical Museum of Campania, is a recognition granted in Vico Equense since 1999 "to those who achieve outstanding results in the world of multidisciplinary research, in the field of science communication and science journalism, in museum management, and in the promotion of science through the Internet".
History
The idea of the award dates back to the summer of 1998, when Dr. Umberto Celentano, director of the Mineralogical Museum of Campania, read an article in the magazine Nature about Scipionyx samniticus, a dinosaur fossil popularly known as "Ciro", discovered in Pietraroja. After gaining the support of paleontologist Philip J. Currie, Dr. Celentano proposed the establishment of the award to the Discepolo Foundation. The award symbol is a fossil fish found in Capo d'Orlando, reproduced on a silver plaque. The award's name comes from a fossil site near Vico Equense.The scientific prize has been awarded to and collected by 18 Nobel laureates, including John F. Nash, Riccardo Giacconi, James D. Watson, Paul Krugman, Andre Geim, Venki Ramakrishnan, Paul Nurse and John Jumper.
Professor Giacconi was honorary president of the award from 2007 until his death in December 2018. Since February 2020, the honorary president has been Professor Paul Nurse, Nobel laureate in medicine.
The award ceremony is held annually, usually in May, at the historic Giusso Castle, and is divided into seven sections: science, science communication, cultural outreach, multimedia communication, cultural management, science and industry, and food science.