IIT Delhi Alumnus Vinayak Agarwal Wins $100K Bridge Award

Agarwal, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, will use the award to support his research on bacterial enzymes that degrade environmental pollutants. The Bridge Award, given by the Tucson-based nonprofit RCSA, funds early-career scientists pursuing high-risk, high-reward projects.

The award provides $100,000 over two years, filling a gap between initial federal grants and larger funding opportunities. Agarwal's lab focuses on understanding how bacteria break down complex organic compounds, with potential applications in bioremediation and sustainable chemistry.

A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Agarwal joined Georgia Tech in 2019 after postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Diego. His research combines structural biology, biochemistry, and computational methods to map enzyme functions.

The Bridge Award is part of RCSA's broader effort to support innovative research in the physical and biological sciences. Agarwal is one of several recipients selected this cycle for their potential to advance fundamental knowledge.