Meet the Changemarkers
We take you behind the scenes with leading scientists and innovators. In each episode, we ask key questions about their journey, the challenges they’ve faced, and how they approach problem-solving. Discover the stories, insights, and strategies that drive breakthroughs and shape the future of science. By sharing their experiences and insights, the series reveals the human side of science and the thinking that drives innovation.
Spotlight: Sir Andy Haines
Climate Change and Health : From Crisis to Opportunity​
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“Climate change and health - from crisis to opportunity” explores how the growing impacts of climate change such as heatwaves, air pollution, extreme weather, and the spread of diseases are creating serious risks for human health worldwide. At the same time, it highlights that this crisis can drive positive change: by rethinking how we design cities, energy systems, healthcare, and food production, we can improve both environmental sustainability and public health.
The idea is not only to respond to the threats, but to use this moment to build healthier, more resilient societies—where solutions like clean energy, greener urban spaces, and preventive healthcare reduce emissions while also enhancing quality of life.
Spotlight: Prof. Paulraj Aryogyaswami
Inventor - MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output Wireless Technology)
From MIMO to Modern Wireless: A Journey Through Invention, Setbacks, and Global Impact
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Professor Paulraj shares his personal experience over more than two decades of work at the frontiers of wireless communications. He describes how ideas move beyond the laboratory into real-world systems, and the challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shape major technological shifts.
The session will also explore how large-scale technologies are built not just through scientific discovery, but through persistence, collaboration, standards development, and industry adoption over long time horizons.
Spotlight: Prof. Charles M. Rice
2020 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
A conversation about Curiosity, Discovery and a Life in Science
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Nobel Laureate Professor Charles M. Rice joined Open Ideas Lab for a special conversation with students, sharing the remarkable journey of discovery that led to our understanding of the hepatitis C virus and the development of effective treatments.
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He took students behind the science, reflecting on the questions, challenges and research that shaped this groundbreaking work, and how years of scientific investigation can ultimately lead to discoveries that transform human health. ​Students actively engaged with Professor Rice through a lively Q&A, exploring not only hepatitis C and scientific discovery, but also research, career choices, curiosity and perseverance. He shared his personal perspective on pursuing a career in science and what it means to follow important questions wherever they lead.
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Spotlight: Dr. John Mather
2006 Nobel Prize in Physics, NASA Astrophysicist
From the Big Bang to Life (Everywhere?
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Open Ideas Lab hosted a fascinating conversation with Nobel Laureate and astrophysicist Prof. John Mather, taking students on a journey across nearly 14 billion years of cosmic history - from the Big Bang and the first light of the universe to the formation of stars, galaxies and planets.
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Drawing on his pioneering work with NASA’s COBE mission and his involvement with the James Webb Space Telescope, Prof. Mather shared how scientists piece together the story of our universe and search for the conditions that could support life beyond Earth.
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Students had the opportunity to engage directly with Prof. Mather through an interactive Q&A, exploring some of the biggest questions in modern astrophysics: How did the universe begin? How did the first stars and galaxies form? Could life exist elsewhere? And what mysteries are still waiting to be solved?
Spotlight: Dr. P V. Venkitakrishnan
From Ideas to Orbit : How India builds rocekts and space missions
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Go behind the scenes of India’s space programme with Dr. P.V. Venkitakrishnan, former Director, ISRO, as he shares insights from some of India’s most ambitious missions, including PSLV, GSLV, Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan.
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In this inspiring Open Ideas Lab session, Dr. Venkitakrishnan explores how ideas become real missions through curiosity, engineering, teamwork, perseverance and learning from failure.
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For young innovators, the session offers a powerful message: dream big, learn from every setback, work together, and turn curiosity into action. Space is not just about exploring the universe; it is also about inspiring the next generation to imagine, build and solve challenges here on Earth.
Spotlight: Prof. Steve Furber
From ARMs to Brain​
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Professor Steve Furber takes us on a fascinating journey from the invention of ARM architecture to brain-inspired computing. He explores how computer engineering has evolved, how large-scale computing systems are designed, and why the structure and function of the human brain may hold clues to the future of computing.
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For the students, it was a rare opportunity to engage directly with one of the pioneers of modern computing, ask questions freely, and gain a deeper understanding of how curiosity, engineering and interdisciplinary thinking can shape the technologies of the future. The interaction was both inspiring and thought-provoking, leaving students with new questions to explore and a glimpse into how some of the world’s most important technological ideas evolve.
Spotlight: Prof. Sir Stephen Sparks
Exploring Volcano Tourism and Ethical Copper Mining
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A few highlights from our conversation with Sir Stephen Sparks, one of the world's leading volcanologists. ​The discussion explored volcanoes, volcanic hazards, tourism, and the fascinating relationship between volcanoes and copper deposits. Students asked thoughtful questions about volcanic risk, the science behind eruptions, and role geology plays in understanding our planet.
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One particularly meaningful aspect of the session was the participation of students and the Principal from Binapani School in rural Jharkhand. The conversation naturally shifted to Jharkhand's rich mining landscape, including copper and uranium, prompting students to reflect on the environmental challenges and opportunities in their own region.
Spotlight: Professor David J. Wineland
Nobel Prize in Physics 2012
Atomic Clocks and Einstein's Relativity​
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Nobel Laureate Professor David J. Wineland explores the science of atomic clocks, precision measurement, and the experiments that have provided some of the strongest confirmations of Einstein's theory of relativity.
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Professor Wineland discusses how atomic clocks have revolutionized technologies such as GPS, deep-space exploration, secure communications, and quantum science, while sharing insights from his pioneering research and scientific journey.
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This session is part of Open Ideas Lab Changemarkers series, an initiative that connects students with leading scientists, engineers, and thinkers to inspire curiosity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving.
Spotlight: Sir David King
Foundation of Hope: Managing the Climate Crisis​
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The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat — it is the defining challenge of our time. Yet amid rising temperatures, geopolitical instability, and accelerating environmental change, there remains a powerful reason for optimism: humanity still has the tools, knowledge, and capacity to act.
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Foundation of Hope is a call for evidence-based action, international cooperation, and long-term thinking — showing how science, innovation, and collective responsibility can help manage the climate crisis while building a more resilient and equitable world.
Spotlight: Prof. Jocelyn Bell Burner
Discovery of Pulsars​
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As a young researcher, Prof. Jocelyn noticed unusual signals in radio telescope data that others might have overlooked, leading to the identification of a completely new type of object in the universe.
The talk offers a unique opportunity to hear first-hand from a pioneering scientist whose work has had a lasting impact on astrophysics, both scientifically and socially. It will be of interest to students, researchers, and anyone passionate about space science.
Spotlight: Prof. Michel Talagrand
Problem Solving, AI & Mathematicians
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In this wide-ranging conversation, Prof. Michel Talagrand shares his personal approach to mathematical problem-solving, reflecting on how he turned his own perceived limitations into strengths. He discusses the value of stepping away from difficult problems to gain fresh perspectives, the role of counterexamples in mathematical thinking, and the excitement of discovering something genuinely new.
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Professor Talagrand also offers candid insights on publishing research, the opportunities and challenges AI presents for student learning, and the qualities that distinguish exceptional young mathematicians. He reflects on remarkable mathematicians such as Antoine Song, Jean Bourgain, and Vitali Milman, sharing stories of their brilliance, creativity, and lasting influence on modern mathematics.
Spotlight: Prof. Michel Talagrand
The Power, Beauty and Purpose of Mathematics​
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Professor Michel Talagrand is a French mathematician working in probability theory, functional analysis and mathematical physics. He won the 2024 Abel prize, sometimes called the Nobel prize of mathematics, for his work on probability theory and describing randomness.
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This talk presents mathematics as both a deeply rewarding pursuit and a powerful tool for understanding the world. It highlights how mathematics underpins many natural laws, from planetary motion to scientific discovery, while also offering career opportunities and intellectual fulfillment. The speaker emphasizes independent thinking over shortcuts, encouraging exploration to find personal strengths within the field.
Spotlight: Prof. Avi Loeb, Harvard University
Searching for Packages from Cosmic Neighbours in Our Backyard
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Drawing on his groundbreaking research in astrophysics and the search for extraterrestrial life, Prof. Loeb discusses how scientists investigate unusual cosmic objects, interstellar visitors, and possible technological signatures from beyond Earth. The session examines the intersection of science, curiosity, and imagination — encouraging students to think independently and challenge conventional assumptions about the Universe.
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The conversation also includes an engaging live Q&A, where students asked thoughtful questions about black holes, alien civilizations, space exploration, and the future of astrophysics research.
Spotlight: Prof. Ramakrishna Ramaswamy
In this episode of “Meet the Changemakers”, we sit down with Prof. Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, an acclaimed Indian scientist whose work spans nonlinear science, computational biology, and physical chemistry.
Prof. Ramaswamy has had a distinguished academic journey from earning his Ph.D. at Princeton University to shaping research and education at Jawaharlal Nehru University and IIT Delhi and has served in leadership roles including President of the Indian Academy of Sciences.
In our conversation he opens up about his path into science, the challenges he’s faced, and his problem‑solving approach that has guided decades of impactful research and mentorship.