Three Indian American science communicators have received 2026 Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Aatish Bhatia and Harini Bhat earned top prizes in their respective categories, while Anand Varma received an additional award in organizational science communication. The National Academies announced the recipients on Oct. 26 in partnership with Schmidt Sciences.
Bhatia won the $40,000 top prize in the early-career science journalist category. A science writer, educator and former New York Times journalist, he was recognized for interactive stories that help readers explore infectious disease outbreaks, the social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the changing position of the zodiac. The selection committee highlighted his use of data visualization, custom-built tools and explanatory reporting to make complex scientific ideas accessible.
Bhat received the $40,000 top prize for organizational science communication. The California-based pharmacist and founder of Today I Learned Science was honored for digital storytelling about women’s health, female crash-test dummies and emerging biotechnology. Her videos combine scientific research with personal experience and have built an audience of more than 3 million followers across social platforms.
Varma, a Berkeley-based science photographer and founder of WonderLab, received a $20,000 award in the same organizational category. His photography reveals biological processes that are often difficult to observe, connecting scientific research with visual storytelling. His work has appeared in National Geographic and other major science publications.
The awards recognize research scientists, journalists and communicators whose original work helps the public understand advances in science, engineering and medicine. The 2026 program selected 24 recipients across eight categories from more than 750 entries for work published or broadcast in 2025.
Together, the three honorees demonstrate the range of Indian American contributions to public science education, from interactive journalism and social video to nature photography. Their recognition also underscores the importance of communicators who can translate technical subjects without losing scientific depth.
Key Takeaways About Aatish Bhatia, Harini Bhat and Anand Varma
- Bhatia won a $40,000 top journalism prize.
- Bhat won a $40,000 top communication prize.
- Varma received a $20,000 organizational award.
- Their work spans journalism, video and photography.
- The program selected 24 recipients from more than 750 entries.
