Two Indian-origin scholars, Nabarun Dasgupta and Teresa Puthussery, have been named among the 2025 MacArthur Fellows, a prestigious recognition often referred to as the “genius grant.” The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the new cohort of 22 fellows on October 8, 2025.
Nabarun Dasgupta: Advancing Public Health through Harm Reduction
Nabarun Dasgupta, 46, is an epidemiologist and harm reduction advocate based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been recognized for his innovative approaches to public health, particularly in reducing drug-related deaths and harms. Dasgupta combines scientific research with community engagement to develop tools and strategies that mitigate the risks associated with drug use. His work emphasizes the importance of accessible, evidence-based interventions in improving public health outcomes.
Teresa Puthussery: Pioneering Research in Vision Science
Teresa Puthussery, also 46, is a neurobiologist and optometrist at the University of California, Berkeley. She has been honored for her groundbreaking research into how retinal ganglion cells in the primate retina encode visual information for the brain. Her work addresses a significant gap in understanding the human visual system and holds promise for developing treatments for retinal neurodegenerative diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
About the MacArthur Fellowship
The MacArthur Fellowship is a $800,000, no-strings-attached award given to individuals who have shown exceptional creativity in their work and the promise for more in the future. Fellows are selected based on their achievements and potential across various disciplines, including science, arts, and social innovation. The fellowship aims to support individuals whose work has the potential to make significant contributions to their fields and society.
