Five exceptional Indian researchers have been honored with the esteemed Inflection Awards, which acknowledge the 30 most remarkable young scientists dedicated to developing innovative solutions for climate change. The awards were conferred during a special event held in Paris, the city where the International Treaty on Climate Change was established. The Inflection Awards, organized by Marble—a European climate-tech venture studio—and backed by Breakthrough Energy Fellows and the Quadrature Climate Foundation, aim to recognize early-career scientists tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. From a pool of hundreds of global applicants, the 30 recipients were chosen based on their scientific prowess, creativity, and their capacity to effect tangible environmental change. Among these distinguished individuals, five Indian scientists were particularly noted for their pioneering contributions in areas such as clean energy, sustainable fuels, carbon capture, and environmental engineering.
Eshaan Patheria, a PhD candidate in chemistry at Caltech, is focused on creating affordable, high-energy-density cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. With a strong commitment to energy equity, he previously played a key role in launching India’s inaugural lithium-ion microgrid in Odisha through the NGO Gram Vikas. Eshaan is recognized as a National Science Foundation Fellow and a Switzer Foundation Fellow. Garima Raheja, a PhD candidate at Columbia University, operates at the crossroads of air quality, big data, and energy. Her experience includes contributing to climate policy at the White House, collaborating with NASA, and serving as a U.S. climate diplomat. A dual-degree graduate from UC Berkeley, she is also an AGU Community Science Fellow and a U.S. State Department Air Quality Fellow. Mahendra Patel, a PhD student at EPFL in Switzerland, is pushing the boundaries of solar fuel technology by developing an integrated photoelectrochemical device that transforms sunlight, water, and CO₂ into sustainable fuels, potentially enabling clean energy solutions for vehicles and aircraft in the future.
Dr. Monali Priyadarshini serves as an Assistant Professor at VIT Vellore and is an alumna of IIT Kharagpur, focusing her research on advanced bio-electrochemical systems for wastewater treatment. She has authored 27 research papers and has received numerous accolades, in addition to her role as an editor for prominent scientific journals such as Scientific Reports and Discover Water. Vikas Dhamu, a doctoral candidate at the National University of Singapore, is at the forefront of developing techniques to sequester CO₂ in deep-sea sediments in the form of clathrate hydrates, a potentially transformative approach for carbon capture and mitigating global emissions. The awardees took part in a prestigious bootcamp in Paris, where they benefited from exceptional mentorship and opportunities to enhance their research. They will continue to receive ongoing support aimed at fostering innovative climate solutions and making a significant impact on global environmental change.
