Indian-Americans Ashok Gadgil, Subra Suresh awarded US’s highest scientific awards

Who is Ashok Gadgil?

Gadgil was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for “providing life-sustaining resources to communities around the world.”

US President Joe Biden awards the National Medal of Technology & Innovation to Ashok Gadgil in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 24, 2023 in Washington. (AP)

“His innovative, inexpensive technologies help meet profound needs, from drinking water to fuel-efficient cookstoves.  His work is inspired by a belief in the dignity of all people and in our power to solve the great challenges of our time,” the White House said while President Biden presented the scientist with the medal.

Under this Administration, America will be the place where great science happens. pic.twitter.com/0Qtmmym0Ut

— President Biden (@POTUS) October 24, 2023

Gadgil, who currently works simultaneously at the University of California Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has previously won the Zuckerberg Water Prize, the LBNL Director’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Societal Impact, and the Patents for Humanity Award. In a career spanning more than three decades, he has worked on providing solutions to issues like safe drinking water, clean air, sustainable energy, and reduced infant mortality.

Who is Subra Suresh?

Suresh was awarded the National Medal of Science for “pioneering research across engineering, physical sciences, and life sciences.”

Today, @POTUS awarded the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to 21 Americans – for their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the sciences and to the improvement of our nation’s economic, environmental, and social well-being. pic.twitter.com/ZfSQV0sv9S

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 24, 2023

“A transformative educator, he has advanced the study of material science and its application to other disciplines.  His commitment to research and collaboration across borders has demonstrated how science can forge understanding and cooperation among people and nations,” the White House said while President Biden presented the scientist with the medal.

US President Joe Biden awards the National Medal of Science to Subra Suresh in the East Room of the White House, Oct. 24, 2023 in Washington. (AP)

The scientist currently works at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brown University, where he conducts research into “nanomechanics of biological cells and molecules, and human disease states; structure-mechanical property-disease connections in the context of P. falciparum malaria, hereditary blood cell disorders and cancer; computational simulations of cellular and molecular deformation and shape thermodynamics; high force optical tweezers studies of biological cells and human disease states; nanostructured materials; and nanoindentation and microindentation,” as per the university website.

The awards

The duo were among the 19 recipients of the two awards this year. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is America’s highest award for technological achievement and recognises innovators whose work strengthened America’s economy and improved the quality of life, as per a White House release. It was first presented in 1985 and is administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The National Medal of Science is the nation’s highest scientific honour bestowed upon individuals deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions to biology, computer sciences, education sciences, engineering, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, and social, behavioural, and economic sciences, as per a White House release. It was first presented in 1959 and is administered by the US National Science Foundation.

Today, 21 Americans received two of the highest honors: the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

They’ve expanded our understanding of everything from the depths of the eye to the depths of the universe.

Congratulations, laureates. pic.twitter.com/TABD2jBBeX

— President Biden (@POTUS) October 24, 2023

Other recipients are:

National Medal of Science: Huda Akil of University of Michigan, Barry C Barish of California Institute of Technology, Gebisa Ejeta of Purdue University, Eve E Marder of Brandeis University, Gregory A Petsko of Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Myriam Sarachik (posthumously) of The City College of New York, Shelley E Taylor of University of California, Los Angeles, and Sheldon Weinbaum, The City College of New York.

National Medal of Technology and Innovation: Mary-Dell Chilton of Syngenta Biotechnology Inc, John M Cioffi of Stanford University, ASSIA Inc, Rory A Cooper of University of Pittsburgh and US Department of Veterans Affairs, Juan E Gilbert of University of Florida, Charles W Hull of 3D Systems, Jeong H Kim of Kiswe Mobile, Inc, Steven A Rosenberg of National Cancer Institute, Neil Gilbert Siegel of the University of Southern California, and James G Fujimoto and Eric Swanson of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and David Huang of Oregon Health & Science University.