Francisco J. Ayala used to be a Catholic priest but is now achieving great success with his work as an evolutionary scientist. Now, at first glance these two fields obviously seem completely incompatible, but it is Ayala’s work harmonising whilst at the same time differentiating science and religion that has won him one of the world’s top religion awards, the Templeton Prize.

Mr Ayala, 76, won a cash prize of approximately $1.5 million, which many feel is well deserved. He is extremely respected in scientific circles, but this award shows that his ideas also have relevance and applications outside of science.