Ramesh Raskar has been awarded the $500,000 Lemelson–MIT Prize.
Ramesh Raskar has been awarded the $500,000 Lemelson–MIT Prize.
SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Ramesh Raskar, an Indian-origin scientist, has been awarded the prestigious Lemelson–MIT prize worth $500,000 for his efforts to improve the lives of citizens worldwide.
Born in Nasik, India, Raskar is the 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 nearly 80 patents to his name, in addition to the 120 reviewed publications to his name, Raskar is also 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.
Seeking to catalyze change on a massive scale by launching platforms that empower inventors to create solutions to improve lives globally, Raskar brings together the best and brightest of the academic and entrepreneurial worlds to achieve milestones in improving the lives and health of people in industrial and developing societies.
The Lemelson–MIT prize, awarded annually, honors outstanding mid-career inventors improving the world through technological invention and demonstrating a commitment to mentorship in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “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.
Raskar said he plans to use a portion of the $500,000 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.
