Indian-American scientist bags innovation award
Ramesh Raskar honoured for mentoring young people in technology
An Indian-origin scientist has bagged the prestigious Lemelson–MIT Prize worth
$500,000 for his groundbreaking work to improve lives globally.
Nasik-born Ramesh Raskar, 46, is founder of the Camera Culture research group at
the MIT Media Lab and an Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences.
“Raskar is the winner of the 2016 USD 500,000 Lemelson–MIT Prize for his
groundbreaking inventions, commitment to youth mentorship, and dedication to
improving our world with practical yet innovative solutions,” a media release
stated.
With more than 75 patents to his name, and having written more than 120 reviewed
publications, Mr. Raskar is the co-inventor of radical imaging solutions
including Femto-photography, an ultra-fast imaging system that can see around
corners; low-cost eye-care solutions for the developing world; and a camera that
allows users to read pages of a book without opening the cover.
Catalysing change
Seeking to catalyse change on a massive scale by launching platforms that
empower inventors to create solutions to improve lives globally, he combines the
best of the academic and entrepreneurial worlds to achieve milestones in
improving the lives and health of people in industrial and developing societies,
the announcement said.
The annual Lemelson–MIT Prize honours outstanding mid-career inventors improving
the world through technological invention and demonstrating a commitment to
mentorship in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). “Raskar
is a multi-faceted leader as an inventor, educator, change maker and exemplar
connector. In addition to creating his own remarkable inventions, he is working
to connect communities and inventors all over the world to create positive
change,” said Stephanie Couch, executive director of the Lemelson–MIT Program.
Mr. Raskar told MIT News that he plans to use a portion of the prize money to
launch a new effort using peer-to-peer invention platforms to help young people
in different countries to collaborate. “Everyone has the power to solve problems
and through peer-to-peer co-invention and purposeful collaboration, we can solve
problems that will impact billions of lives,” he said.
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