Ashok Gadgil and Subra Suresh, two Indian-American scientists, have been recognised by US President Joe Biden with America's highest scientific awards for their work and contributions to the fields of science and technology. Ashok Gadgil, a distinguished professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering at UC Berkeley, received the prestigious White House national medal for technology and innovation from Biden on Tuesday in recognition of his work in delivering resources that support communities all around the world.

The honour, given to prominent US innovators, honours people who have improved the nation's technological workforce and contributed significantly to America's competitiveness and quality of life.

The national medal of science was given to Suresh, a professor at large at Brown University's department of engineering, for his groundbreaking work in the fields of engineering, physical science, and life sciences, and in especially for his advancement of the study of material science and its applications to other fields of study.

Ashok Gadgil

The White House national medal for technology and innovation was given to 12 people, including Gadgil. He has created low-cost solutions to some of the most difficult issues facing the developing world, such as energy-efficient stoves, safe drinking water technology, and strategies for making effective electric illumination accessible.

Over the course of his efforts, which collectively have aided more than 100 million people, he concentrates on solid innovations that may be used as broadly as possible. Gadgil is a specialist in computational fluid dynamics of indoor air and pollution flows as well as building energy efficiency.

According to the White House, Gadgil received the award "for providing life-sustaining resources to communities around the world. 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.” Gadgil's honour marks Berkeley Lab researchers' second national medal for technology and innovation and their 17th overall national medal.

"The world is not a fair place. I try to bend my knowledge of science, engineering, and creativity to make it a little less unfair for the people who are holding the short end of the stick. If I can make that difference, go even a little bit in that direction, I think that's fantastic," In an interview with Barkley Lab, Gadgil said.

Gadgil received physics degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, the University of Bombay (now Mumbai), and UC Berkeley before receiving his PhD.

Later, in 1980, he began working for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), where he eventually retired earlier this year as a faculty senior scientist and is now an affiliate retiree.

He formerly held the position of division director for the division of environmental energy technologies, which is now known as the Energy Technologies Area (ETA). He is a renowned emeritus professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

Meet Subra Suresh

According to the statement from the National Science and Technology Medals Foundation, Suresh's dedication to cross-border study and collaboration has shown how science can foster understanding and cooperation between people and nations. According to a Brown University statement, Suresh described the accolade as "very satisfying" and added that he takes particular satisfaction in it because of what the medal represents.

Along with eight other recipients, Suresh, the former director of the National scientific Foundation (NSF), received the esteemed scientific medal.

Suresh, who was born in 1956 in India, finished high school at the age of 15, went on to receive his master's degree and PhD in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and by the time he was 25, he had completed all three degrees.

As the newest member of the engineering faculty, Suresh joined Brown University's faculty in 1983. After working for Brown for ten years, Suresh was chosen by then-President Barack Obama to be the 13th director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), making him the first Asian-born American to hold that position.

In September 2023, he will return to Brown University's School of Engineering. Earlier this month, the university announced a biennial symposium in his name that will focus on the intersection of technology and society.

Under his direction, the NSF established the Global Research Council, an online association of the heads of funding organisations for science and engineering from more than 50 nations, with the goal of promoting international cooperation and data exchange.

In addition, he led the creation of the Center-Life Balance programme, a plan designed to boost the proportion of women holding PhD degrees in science and engineering from 26% to 40% between 2011 and 2021.

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