Saad Bhamla receives Schmidt Polymaths award for innovative research
- Saad Bhamla, a researcher at Georgia Tech, was awarded the Schmidt Polymaths award, providing him with substantial funding for innovative scientific research.
- His research focuses on the biomechanics of organisms, including ripple bugs and flamingos, challenging existing understandings of their behaviors.
- Philanthropic funding is becoming essential to support scientific inquiry as federal funds decline, enabling researchers to pursue bold and interdisciplinary ideas.
In a notable development in scientific research, Saad Bhamla, an Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech, was awarded the prestigious Schmidt Polymaths award by Schmidt Sciences, a philanthropic organization founded by Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, and his wife, Wendy. This award recognizes and supports early- to mid-career scientists who are pursuing unconventional research paths. Saad Bhamla was one of eight recipients in the latest cohort, each receiving funding of up to $2.5 million. Bhamla's work at Georgia Tech focuses on the biomechanics of various organisms, which includes research on ripple bugs and flamingos. He leads the 'Lab of Extraordinary Organisms' where his team investigates how these organisms execute extraordinary feats in nature, from understanding the physics behind their movements to applying this knowledge in technology. His recent research published in the journal Science highlights the mechanics of ripple bugs, small insects that can traverse water surfaces effectively. Additionally, Bhamla's team has challenged previous assumptions about flamingos, revealing that they exhibit complex feeding behaviors rather than merely filtering food passively. This investigation opens doors to innovative applications, including new technologies for water filtration that could clean pollutants and harmful microorganisms from water supplies. These insights emphasize the potential of applying biological principles to design more effective filtration systems. The reduced availability of federal funds for scientific research has made philanthropic support vital for many scientists like Bhamla. The Schmidt Polymaths program aims to overcome the restrictive nature of traditional funding structures that often bind researchers to narrow scopes of deliverables. By providing funds without stringent guidelines, Schmidt Sciences encourages a more interdisciplinary approach, fostering creativity and collaboration across scientific fields and potentially leading to significant advancements in both knowledge and public good.