Blavatnik Foundation Recognizes Several Indian American Scientists

Photo (Top Row) (Left to Right): Aavishkar Patel, Raghavendra Pradyumna, Yogesh Surendranath

Photo (Bottom Row) (Left to Right): Anima Anandkumar, Sohini Ramachandran

India-West Staff Reporter

NEW YORK, NY – On September 17, The Blavatnik Family Foundation and The New York Academy of Sciences announced three laureates and six finalists of the 2024 Blavatnik Regional Awards for Young Scientists. Earlier, the honorees of the 2024 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists were also announced.

Among the winners and notables are several Indian Americans who stand out for their contributions:

Raghavendra Pradyumna Pothukuchi (Regional Award Winner — Postdoctoral Associate Research Scientist, Yale University), developed computer architectures inspired by the brain to enhance memory retrieval and cognition, opening possibilities for neurological treatments.

Aavishkar Patel (Regional Award Finalist — Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Flatiron Institute) provided key insights into the physics of strange metals, aiding future superconducting material designs.

Anima Anandkumar (National Award Finalist — Faculty, Bren Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, California Institute of Technology) led AI innovations, including creating a high-resolution weather model that outperforms traditional methods.

Yogesh Surendranath (National Award Finalist — Faculty, Donner Professor of Science, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)developed pathways for renewable electricity to power chemical transformations, working toward commercializing eco-friendly industrial processes.

Sohini Ramachandran (National Award Finalist — Faculty, Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Brown University)applied genomic data and statistical modeling to understand human genetic variation, with a focus on ensuring equitable benefits from genetics research for all populations.

The Blavatnik Regional Awards jury, composed of leading scientists and engineers, selected one laureate in each category, awarding them $30,000, while two finalists in each category received $10,000. The winners were chosen from 134 nominations submitted by 24 academic institutions in the Tri-State area.

The announcement coincided with the National Postdoctoral Association’s 15th annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week, celebrating the vital role postdoctoral scholars play in advancing U.S. research.

The 2024 Blavatnik Regional Awards Ceremony will be held on October 1, at the American Museum of Natural History, NY.

Len Blavatnik, founder of Access Industries and the Blavatnik Family Foundation, praised the winners, saying, “Their ongoing research and discoveries will benefit the global scientific community for years to come.”