Lehigh University has appointed Dr. Vinod Namboodiri as the inaugural Ellen and Vincent Forlenza ’75 Endowed Chair in Health Innovation and Technology. This prestigious position, housed in the College of Health, will support his research on assistive technology for people with disabilities and aging populations. Namboodiri, a professor with joint appointments in the College of Health and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, will hold the position for five years. His work will focus on leveraging technology to enhance mobility, healthcare, and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. He also aims to establish an interdisciplinary research center…
Author: Akancha Mishra
Akancha Mishra
Akancha has been a journalist for about twenty years, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in English Honors and a Master's Degree in Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. She and her husband and children Supriya and Alok currently call New York City home.
During the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and champion boxer Nikhat Zareen, shed light on the increasing obesity crisis in India. The discussion emphasized the dangers of excessive cooking oil consumption and how small dietary changes can contribute to a healthier society. PM Modi noted that obesity rates have surged, with one in every eight individuals now affected. The situation is particularly alarming among children, where obesity cases have multiplied four times over recent years. He urged citizens to take proactive steps by reducing their cooking oil purchases by…
LUNGevity, the leading lung cancer research foundation in the U.S., has appointed Dr. Sandip Patel to its Scientific Advisory Board. His expertise will help shape key research initiatives aimed at improving lung cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. “We are honored to welcome Dr. Patel to our Scientific Advisory Board,” said Dr. Charles Rudin, chair of LUNGevity’s board and deputy director at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “His knowledge will be invaluable as we expand our research investments and work toward meaningful advancements in lung cancer care.” Dr. Patel, a professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), specializes…
Newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel has announced plans to relocate up to 1,500 employees, moving 1,000 to field offices across the country and 500 to a facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The move aligns with Patel’s vision of reducing the FBI’s Washington presence and emphasizing crime-fighting over intelligence-gathering. The announcement came on Patel’s first day in office after his Senate confirmation in a narrow 51-49 vote. His appointment has been met with political division, with Democrats expressing concerns over potential bias and Trump allies praising his leadership. Former President Donald Trump called Patel the “best ever” FBI director, while Patel…
New Delhi witnessed the launch of the first-ever SOUL (School of Ultimate Leadership) Leadership Conclave on Friday, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam. Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was also present at the event, marking a significant moment in fostering leadership across diverse sectors. The two-day conclave, running from February 21 to 22, serves as a platform for prominent figures from politics, sports, media, arts, business, public policy, and social sectors to share their leadership journeys. Through discussions on success and failure, the conclave aims to nurture a new generation of leaders by offering valuable insights and…
Ashutosh Chilkoti, a distinguished professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University, has been honored with the 2025 Technology Innovation and Development Award by the Society for Biomaterials. This prestigious award acknowledges significant advancements in biomaterials research that contribute to medical and surgical innovation. Chilkoti received this recognition for his groundbreaking work in developing protein-resistant polymer coatings and protein-based biomaterials. Expressing gratitude, he credited his research team, both past and present, for their contributions to the success of his projects. In addition to his role as a faculty member, Chilkoti served as the chair of Duke’s Biomedical Engineering Department from 2016…
India’s first microbiological nanosatellite, RVSAT-1, was successfully launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV C-60 on December 30, 2024, as part of the SPADEX/POEM-4 mission. Designed by students from RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, this nanosatellite aims to study the growth of gut bacteria in space—a crucial factor in ensuring astronaut health during long-term space missions. For Team Antariksh, the student group behind RVSAT-1, this mission represents more than an academic project; it is a major step forward in space exploration. The team’s rigorous testing and innovative engineering culminated in the launch, fulfilling their dream of sending their work into orbit. Gut bacteria,…
On February 15, the American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI) hosted an AI Summit at UCSC Silicon Valley, marking the 10-year milestone of its Silicon Valley chapter. The event brought together prominent academics, researchers, speakers, and industry leaders to discuss key developments in artificial intelligence. UCSC Dean PK Agarwal and ASEI Silicon Valley President Piyush Malik welcomed attendees before Dr. Srikar Reddy, India’s Consul General in San Francisco, highlighted India’s digital economy and the role AI plays in initiatives like the India AI mission. Referencing Prime Minister Modi’s recent remarks on AI at the Paris AI Action Summit…
Canva, a leading graphic design platform and a major competitor to Adobe, has seen remarkable adoption in India. In 2024 alone, users in the country created around 530,000 presentations daily. The platform is also widely used for designing resumes, social media posts, and pitch decks. Cameron Adams, co-founder and chief product officer at Canva, highlighted India’s growing significance in the company’s expansion strategy. The Australian firm, last valued at $32 billion, is aiming to reach 1 billion users worldwide. “India will play a crucial role in achieving this milestone,” Adams stated in an interview with TOI. Canva was founded in…
Yale University has appointed historian Sunil Amrith as the new director of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, effective March 1. Announced by Provost Scott Strobel on Wednesday, Amrith will bring his expertise in human migration and global environmental history, particularly focusing on South and Southeast Asia, to the prestigious center. Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Amrith described it as an “honor and a privilege.” He highlighted the MacMillan Center’s significant influence on Yale’s academic landscape and expressed his commitment to fostering global perspectives across campus. He looks forward to collaborating with the center’s…