Researcher Sathvik Iyengar named 2026 Schmidt Science Fellow

Prestigious international fellowship recognizes emerging interdisciplinary science leaders The post Researcher Sathvik Iyengar named 2026 Schmidt Science Fellow appeared first on Berkeley Engineering .

7 April 2026 at 09:35 am

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Researcher Sathvik Iyengar named 2026 Schmidt Science Fellow

UC Berkeley postdoctoral researcher Sathvik Iyengar has been named a 2026 Schmidt Science Fellow, joining an international cohort of 32 early-career scientists chosen for their potential to advance interdisciplinary research and tackle complex global challenges. The Schmidt Science Fellows program, which has been awarded annually since 2018, recognizes emerging interdisciplinary science leaders and supports them as they transition from their doctoral discipline to pursue innovative postdoctoral research in a different field.

Funded by former Google chairman and chief executive officer Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy Schmidt, through their Schmidt Sciences initiative in partnership with the Rhodes Trust, the fellowship aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate scientific discovery. By encouraging researchers to pivot their focus, the program breaks down traditional disciplinary boundaries and enables them to apply their existing knowledge in novel ways, addressing complex global issues more effectively.

At Berkeley, Sathvik Iyengar will continue his research in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences under the supervision of assistant professor Asir Intisar Khan. His work will focus on developing devices for energy-efficient computing, with additional support from professors Sayeef Salahuddin and Ana Claudia Arias. This research will extend solid-state platforms into flexible, stretchable, and wearable electronic systems, pushing the boundaries of current technological capabilities.

Iyengar previously completed his Ph.D. in materials science and nanoengineering at Rice University. His doctoral research led to the discovery of glaphene, a hybrid material combining graphene and silica glass, and to the first experimental demonstration of quantum flexoelectricity in graphene. These achievements highlight his expertise in materials science and his ability to innovate in interdisciplinary research areas.

The 2026 Schmidt Science Fellows cohort represents a diverse range of disciplines and geographical backgrounds, reflecting the program's commitment to fostering global collaboration and addressing pressing scientific challenges. By supporting early-career researchers like Iyengar, the fellowship empowers them to contribute significantly to interdisciplinary science and drive meaningful progress in their fields.

For more information on this year's Schmidt Science Fellows, including details about the other awardees, please refer to the official announcement. The program continues to inspire and nurture the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists, ensuring that groundbreaking research is conducted in a way that bridges disciplines and accelerates progress towards solving complex global problems.

Source: News Archive - Berkeley Engineering

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