(Clockwise) Eshaan Patheria, Garima Raheja, Vikas Dhamu, Monali Priyadarshini, Mahendra Patel. / Inflection Awards

Five Indian researchers are among 30 scientists awarded the prestigious 2025 Inflection Awards for climate research. Organized by Marble, a European climate-tech venture studio, and supported by Breakthrough Energy Fellows and the Quadrature Climate Foundation, the Inflection Awards celebrate early-career scientists tackling one of humanity’s greatest challenges, that is climate change.

The award program, now in its latest edition, seeks to identify “the top young scientists of tomorrow and connect them with the highest impact opportunities to make their mark on climate change.” This year’s awardees will convene in Paris, the birthplace of the International Treaty on Climate Change for a two-day summit designed to spark collaborations, showcase their research, and link them to global leaders and mentors in the field.

Here’s a closer look at their work:

Eshaan Patheria — California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

For Eshaan Patheria, the road from rural India to one of the world’s top research institutions has been as much about purpose as it has been about science. A PhD candidate at Caltech, Patheria is working to develop high-energy-density lithium-ion battery cathodes with a key difference: his approach relies only on inherently inexpensive, scalable raw materials, a potential game-changer for affordable clean energy storage.

Patheria's commitment goes beyond the lab. In 2018-19, in collaboration with the NGO Gram Vikas, he helped establish India’s first lithium-ion battery-powered microgrid in Kalahandi, Odisha, bringing clean, reliable electricity to remote villages.

Beyond his research, Patheria says he is dedicated to "expanding access to clean, affordable energy." The Harvard graduate and National Science Foundation Fellow is expected to complete his PhD in May 2025.

Garima Raheja — Columbia University

Garima Raheja’s journey bridges two worlds, that of New Delhi and San Francisco’s Bay Area. A PhD candidate at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Raheja’s research looks at the atmospheric impacts of urban air pollution and its disproportionate burden on public health.

Having previously worked on carbon-free electricity at the White House and at NASA on Earth observation projects, Raheja’s path is marked by both scientific rigor and a deep sense of purpose. "I am passionate about environmental justice through climate action in the service of those most severely impacted," she says.

Raheja has also represented the U.S. in climate diplomacy efforts with Japan and South Korea and serves as both an AGU Community Science Fellow and a U.S. State Department Air Quality Fellow.

Vikas Dhamu — National University of Singapore

An alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, Vikas Dhamu is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the National University of Singapore, where his research could potentially rewrite the blueprint for carbon capture. Dhamu is focused on developing novel methods to store CO₂ in deep-sea sediments as clathrate hydrates, an approach that promises to sequester large volumes of carbon dioxide safely.

"I am driven to contribute to global efforts like mitigating global warming, achieving net-zero emissions, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy," Dhamu says of his mission. His work not only speaks to the urgency of climate action but to the resilience and vision needed to design scalable, real-world solutions.

Monali Priyadarshini — Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

Dr. Monali Priyadarshini, now an assistant professor at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Vellore, has carved a niche in the world of wastewater management, focusing on advanced oxidation processes and bio-electrochemical systems. A Ph.D. graduate from IIT Kharagpur, Priyadarshini’s academic portfolio is as impressive as it is impactful: 27 publications, five book chapters, and two best paper awards at international conferences.

Beyond her research contributions, Priyadarshini actively participates in global scientific communities such as the International Water Association (IWA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). She also serves as an editor for Scientific Reports and Discover Water journals, underscoring her deep commitment to knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Mahendra Patel- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland

With degrees in Chemistry from Indian institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune and EPFL, Mahendra Patel’s work revolves around turning sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into renewable fuels like hydrogen, syngas, and ethylene. His research aims to pave the way for sustainable alternatives to gasoline and aviation fuels.

Using an innovative integrated photoelectrochemical device powered by concentrated sunlight, Patel’s methods offer both high solar-to-fuel efficiency and a glimpse into a cleaner energy future. As Patel puts it, his passion lies in "advancing solar fuel technologies to tackle global energy challenges."