U.S. scientist, Indian literary critic, Japanese biologist win Kyoto Prize

TOKYO – An American regarded as the father of computer graphics, an Indian literary critic and a Japanese molecular cell biologist are winners of the Kyoto Prize.

The prize is Japan’s highest private award for global achievement.

The Inamori Foundation said Friday that American Ivan Sutherland won the advanced technology prize.

Sutherland is perhaps best known for developing the Sketchpad in 1963, a graphics interface program that allowed users to manipulate figures on a screen through pointing a device.

Indian critic Gayatri Chakrovoty, whose work focuses on those marginalized by western culture, won the arts and philosophy prize.

Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi won for contributions to molecular biology.