SEATTLE (Diya TV) — Three Indian American scientists have been elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) as part of its 2025 class of new members. Ram Devanathan, Jashvant Unadkat, and Paramvir (Victor) Bahl are among 36 experts honored for their work in science, technology, and public policy. Their election recognizes years of groundbreaking research and leadership in their fields across Washington state.
The Washington State Academy of Sciences is known for honoring outstanding scientists who make meaningful contributions to society. Its 2025 class includes leaders in medicine, engineering, materials science, and public health.
WSAS president Allison Campbell praised the new members for their deep expertise and dedication. “We are pleased to recognize the achievements of these world-renowned scientists, engineers, and innovators,” Campbell said. “And we are grateful for their willingness to contribute expertise from a wide range of fields and institutions to support the state in making informed choices in a time of growing complexity.”
Ram Devanathan is a division director at the Energy Processes and Materials Division of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). He was elected for his leadership in computational materials science.
His work has pushed the boundaries of multiscale modeling and the use of artificial intelligence in materials discovery. Devanathan’s research addresses major challenges in energy, national security, and environmental cleanup.
He is a fellow of both the American Ceramic Society and the American Chemical Society. He has earned the Department of Energy’s Outstanding Mentor Award and the Richard M. Fulrath Award. Devanathan holds a Bachelor of Technology in metallurgical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
Jashvant Unadkat is a professor of pharmaceutics at the University of Washington. He was honored for his work in drug transporters, maternal-fetal pharmacology, and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling.
Unadkat’s research has helped improve drug safety and delivery. He has written more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific papers and leads several National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded projects.
His scientific achievements have earned him fellow status in leading organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).
Victor Bahl, chief technology officer of Azure for Operators at Microsoft, was elected to WSAS after joining the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). His work has helped shape wireless networking, indoor location services, and edge computing.
Bahl has led major technology initiatives at Microsoft and is widely recognized as a leader in mobile computing. He is based in Redmond, Washington.
He is a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the IEEE, and the AAAS. His innovations continue to impact how wireless technologies are used in daily life and across industries.
The election of Devanathan, Unadkat, and Bahl highlights the vital role Indian-American researchers play in driving scientific innovation in the United States. Their work spans national labs, major universities, and global tech companies.
These researchers not only advance their fields but also help shape public policy and technology development in Washington state. Their election to WSAS shows how immigrant contributions continue to power American science and technology.
