Five Indian Ph.D. candidates are among 30 early-career scientists from around the world honored with the inaugural Inflection Award, which recognizes emerging leaders developing innovative solutions to combat climate change.
The awards were presented in Paris, France, during a two-day event on March 10 – 11, 2025. Recipients participated in intensive workshops and networking sessions with key figures in climate science, policy, and investment, according to a statement from Caltech on April 15th. Caltech’s Eshaan Patheria was “recognized for his work in the lab of professor of chemistry Kimberly See, where he strives to improve the performance of cathodes in lithium-ion batteries.”
The Inflection Award is organized by Marble, a climate tech venture studio focused on tackling some of the most challenging climate issues. The initiative is supported by Breakthrough Energy Fellows, a global program that backs inventors and researchers working on breakthrough technologies to cut carbon emissions. The Quadrature Climate Foundation, another supporter of the Award, funds individuals and organizations striving to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas concentrations and improve climate communication, according to Inflection’s official website.
The Indian honorees according to the Inflection Award website are:
Eshaan Patheria, California Institute of Technology
“Eshaan Patheria is a PhD candidate in chemistry at Caltech, developing high-energy-density lithium-ion battery cathodes using only inherently inexpensive, scalable raw materials. He will complete his PhD in May 2025 and is working to scale this technology by leveraging existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing infrastructure. Beyond his research, Eshaan is committed to expanding access to clean, affordable energy. In 2018-19, with the NGO Gram Vikas, he established India’s first lithium-ion battery-powered microgrid in Kalahandi, Odisha. Eshaan is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, a Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation Fellow, and holds an A.B. in Chemistry & Physics from Harvard University.”
Vikas Dhamu, National University of Singapore
“I am a Ph.D. student at the National University of Singapore, developing innovative methods for CO2 storage in deep-sea sediments as clathrate hydrates, a promising solution for safely sequestering large amounts of CO2. I am driven to contribute to global efforts like mitigating global warming, achieving net-zero emissions, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. By fostering sustainable solutions and promoting a green growth economy, I aim to help build a more resilient and sustainable future for all.”
Mahendra Patel, EPFL
“Mahendra Patel is a PhD student at EPFL, Switzerland, working on solar-driven renewable fuel production. He holds BS and MS degrees in Chemistry from IISER Pune and EPFL. His research focuses on converting sunlight, water, and CO₂ into sustainable fuels such as hydrogen, syngas, and ethylene, with potential applications in gasoline and aviation fuel production. By developing an innovative integrated photoelectrochemical device that utilizes concentrated sunlight, his work demonstrates high solar-to-fuel efficiency, offering a promising pathway for sustainable fuel production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Mahendra is passionate about advancing solar fuel technologies to tackle global energy challenges.”
Monali Priyadarshini, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
“Dr. Monali Priyadarshini, an Assistant Professor at VIT Vellore with a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from IIT Kharagpur, specializes in wastewater management through advanced oxidation processes and bio-electrochemical systems. She has an impressive research portfolio, including 27 publications in reputed journals, five book chapters, and two best paper awards at international conferences. As a member of prestigious organizations like the International Water Association (IWA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Dr. Priyadarshini actively contributes to advancing her field. She currently serves as an Editor for Scientific Reports and Discover Water journals and has reviewed over 50 articles for various international journals.”
Garima Raheja, Columbia University
“Garima Raheja (she/hers) is a PhD candidate at Columbia University in NYC studying big data applications for air and energy. Previously, she worked at on carbon-free electricity at the White House, earth observations at NASA, led an environmental strategy consulting org in Berkeley, and represented the US in climate diplomatic relations with Japan and South Korea. She serves as an AGU Community Science Fellow and US State Department Air Quality Fellow. She graduated with a BA in Data Science and a BS in Civil/Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley. She is interested in careers in energy/finance/data. For more info, check out her website: graheja.github.io.”
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