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{{Short description|Indian technologist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Rahul Alex Panicker
| name = Rahul Panicker
| image = Rahul Panicker 1.jpg
| image = Rahul Panicker 1.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
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| alma_mater = {{Plainlist|
| alma_mater = {{Plainlist|
* [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras]] (IIT Madras) ([[Bachelor of Technology|B.Tech]])
* [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras]] (IIT Madras) ([[Bachelor of Technology|B.Tech]])
* [[Stanford University]] ([[Master of Science|MS]], 2004; [[Ph.D.]], 2008)}}
* [[Stanford University]] [[Stanford Department of Electrical Engineering]] ([[Master of Science|MS]], 2004; [[Ph.D.]], 2008)}}
| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1980|10|19}} -->
| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1980|10|19}} -->
| birth_place = [[Mavelikkara]], Kerala, India
| birth_place = [[Mavelikkara]], Kerala, India
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}}
}}


'''Rahul Alex Panicker''' is an [[entrepreneur]], best known as President and Co-founder of [[Embrace Innovations]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Mischler|first=Michèle|title=Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013|url=http://www.schwabfound.org/content/social-entrepreneurs-year-2013|publisher=Schwab Foundation|accessdate=20 March 2013}}</ref> and [[Embrace (non-profit)|Embrace]], a [[social enterprise]] startup that aims to help premature and low-birth-weight babies, through a low-cost infant warmer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dooley|first=Sean|title=Embrace Infant Warmer Could Save Thousands|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Health/embrace-infant-warmer-save-thousands/story?id=12366774|date=17 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmad|first=Samreen|title=Spreading life-saving warmth|url=http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=Fw090412Spreading.asp|newspaper=Tehelka|date=9 April 2012}}</ref>
'''Rahul Alex Panicker''' is a technology leader and [[entrepreneur]], formerly Chief Innovation Officer at the [[Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence]], <ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=EmTech Digital AI for Social Good Rahul Panicker, Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence |url=https://events.technologyreview.com/video/watch/rahul-panicker-ai-social-good/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |website=MIT Tech Review}}</ref> and best known as the President and Co-founder of [[Embrace Innovations]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Mischler|first=Michèle|title=Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013|url=http://www.schwabfound.org/content/social-entrepreneurs-year-2013|publisher=Schwab Foundation|accessdate=20 March 2013}}</ref> and [[Embrace (non-profit)|Embrace]], a [[social enterprise]] startup that aims to help premature and low-birth-weight babies, through a low-cost infant warmer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dooley|first=Sean|title=Embrace Infant Warmer Could Save Thousands|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/embrace-infant-warmer-save-thousands/story?id=12366774|date=17 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ahmad|first=Samreen|title=Spreading life-saving warmth|url=http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=Fw090412Spreading.asp|newspaper=Tehelka|date=9 April 2012}}</ref>


Until early 2016, Panicker served as the President of [[Embrace Innovations]], a social enterprise that designs and brings to market healthcare technologies for the developing world, starting with an infant warmer. The Embrace infant warmer costs less than 1% of a traditional incubator, and is currently being distributed across clinics in India, and over 15 developing countries.<ref>{{cite news|last=Deepa|first=Balakrishnan|title=Portable incubators in 4 states a new lease of life|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/portable-incubators-in-4-states-a-new-lease-of-life-for-babies/290008-62.html|newspaper=CNN-IBN|date=12 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Udayabhanu|first=Prem|title=The Keralite who made it to MIT's top 35 Innovators' list|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/in-depth/startup-village/the-keralite-who-made-it-to-mit-s-top-35-innovators-list.html|newspaper=Manorama Online|date=24 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ranganna|first=Akhila|title=Saving Lives: How Rahul Panicker Developed a Low-cost Incubator for Newborns|url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/people/19892/|date=18 January 2016|publisher=Man's World India|accessdate=8 October 2018}}</ref> He is also a member of the [[FICCI]] Health Innovation Task Force in India.<ref>{{cite news|last=IANS|title=National innovation council to build an ecosystem for healthcare products and services|url=http://health.india.com/news/national-innovation-council-to-build-an-ecosystem-for-healthcare-products-and-services/|accessdate=28 May 2013|newspaper=health.india.com}}</ref> Starting 2016, he has been engaged in exploring and speaking about the potential impact of AI and what societies can do to prepare for the future, including at [[TEDx]] [http://tedxiitkharagpur.com/ IIT Kharagpur].
Until early 2016, Panicker served as the President of [[Embrace Innovations]], a social enterprise that designs and brings to market healthcare technologies for the developing world, starting with an infant warmer. The Embrace infant warmer costs less than 1% of a traditional incubator, and is currently being distributed across clinics in India, and over 15 developing countries.<ref>{{cite news|last=Deepa|first=Balakrishnan|title=Portable incubators in 4 states a new lease of life|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/portable-incubators-in-4-states-a-new-lease-of-life-for-babies/290008-62.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726190705/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/portable-incubators-in-4-states-a-new-lease-of-life-for-babies/290008-62.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 July 2013|newspaper=CNN-IBN|date=12 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Udayabhanu|first=Prem|title=The Keralite who made it to MIT's top 35 Innovators' list|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/in-depth/startup-village/the-keralite-who-made-it-to-mit-s-top-35-innovators-list.html|newspaper=Manorama Online|date=24 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ranganna|first=Akhila|title=Saving Lives: How Rahul Panicker Developed a Low-cost Incubator for Newborns|url=https://www.mansworldindia.com/people/19892/|date=18 January 2016|publisher=Man's World India|accessdate=8 October 2018}}</ref> He is also a member of the [[FICCI]] Health Innovation Task Force in India.<ref>{{cite news|last=IANS|title=National innovation council to build an ecosystem for healthcare products and services|url=http://health.india.com/news/national-innovation-council-to-build-an-ecosystem-for-healthcare-products-and-services/|accessdate=28 May 2013|newspaper=health.india.com}}</ref> Starting 2016, he has been engaged in exploring and speaking about the potential impact of AI and what societies can do to prepare for the future, including at [[TEDx]] [http://tedxiitkharagpur.com/ IIT Kharagpur].


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==


Panicker was born in [[Mavelikara]], Kerala, India <ref>{{cite news|last=Sirnate|first=Vasundhara|title=Embrace of Life|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/living/embrace-of-life|newspaper=Open Magazine|date=3 October 2009}}</ref> to Moly and P.C. Mathen Panicker of [[Kottarakara]]. He attended [[Indian Community School]], Kuwait, and [[Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Trivandrum]], India, and hails from Vayalikada, [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Udayabhanu|first=Prem|title=The Keralite who made it to MIT's top 35 Innovators' list|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/in-depth/startup-village/the-keralite-who-made-it-to-mit-s-top-35-innovators-list.html|newspaper=Manorama Online|date=24 December 2015}}</ref>
Panicker was born in [[Mavelikara]], Kerala, India <ref>{{cite news|last=Sirnate|first=Vasundhara|author-link=Vasundhara Sirnate|title=Embrace of Life|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/living/embrace-of-life|newspaper=Open Magazine|date=3 October 2009}}</ref> to Moly and P.C. Mathen Panicker of [[Kottarakara]]. He attended [[Indian Community School]], Kuwait, and [[Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Trivandrum]], India, and hails from Vayalikada, [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Udayabhanu|first=Prem|title=The Keralite who made it to MIT's top 35 Innovators' list|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/in-depth/startup-village/the-keralite-who-made-it-to-mit-s-top-35-innovators-list.html|newspaper=Manorama Online|date=24 December 2015}}</ref>


Panicker holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from [[Stanford University]], and a B.Tech from [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras]] (IIT Madras), India. He is also an alumnus of the [[Hasso Plattner Institute of Design|design school at Stanford]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Bagchi|first=Shrabonti|title=SAVING LITTLE LIVES|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQkcvMjAxMS8wOS8xOSNBcjAwNDAw|newspaper=The Times of India|date=19 September 2011}}</ref>
Panicker holds an M.S. and Ph.D. from [[Stanford Department of Electrical Engineering]], and a B.Tech from [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras]] (IIT Madras), India. He is also an alumnus of the [[Hasso Plattner Institute of Design|design school at Stanford]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Bagchi|first=Shrabonti|title=SAVING LITTLE LIVES|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQkcvMjAxMS8wOS8xOSNBcjAwNDAw|newspaper=The Times of India|date=19 September 2011|access-date=7 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080156/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQkcvMjAxMS8wOS8xOSNBcjAwNDAw|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>


As part of his Ph.D. at [[Stanford]], Panicker worked at the interface of machine learning and optics. His thesis work used machine learning techniques to demonstrate a 10 to 100 fold increase in capacity of multimode optical communication systems. His work combined convex optimization, machine learning, adaptive optics and spatial light modulators.<ref>{{cite book|last=Panicker|first=Rahul|title=Compensation of Modal Dispersion in Multimode Fiber Systems Using Adaptive Optics Via Convex Optimization|year=2007|publisher=Stanford University|location=Stanford University|isbn=0549355774|pages=76|url=https://books.google.com/?id=UgC54o8aSUEC}}</ref> He also worked at the [[SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory]], applying artificial neural networks to accelerator-beam controls.
As part of his Ph.D. at [[Stanford]], Panicker worked at the interface of machine learning and optics. His thesis work used machine learning techniques to demonstrate a 10 to 100 fold increase in capacity of multimode optical communication systems. His work combined convex optimization, machine learning, adaptive optics and spatial light modulators.<ref>{{cite book|last=Panicker|first=Rahul|title=Compensation of Modal Dispersion in Multimode Fiber Systems Using Adaptive Optics Via Convex Optimization|year=2007|publisher=Stanford University|location=Stanford University|isbn=978-0549355779|pages=76|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UgC54o8aSUEC}}</ref> He also worked at the [[SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory]], applying artificial neural networks to accelerator-beam controls.

⚫
==Awards and recognition==

⚫
*[[MIT Technology Review]] [[TR35]] 35-Innovators-Under-35 worldwide, 2015 <ref>{{cite web|title=35 Innovators Under 35, 2015|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/lists/innovators-under-35/2015/|publisher=MIT Technology Review}}</ref>
⚫
*[[The Economist]] Innovation Award for Social and Economic Innovation, 2013 <ref>{{cite news|last=Quarterly|first=Technology|title=Innovation awards And the winners are...|url=https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21590752-innovation-awards-our-annual-prizes-recognise-successful-innovators-eight|newspaper=The Economist|date=30 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bangalore-based startup founders win Economist Innovation Award|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-11-06/news/43733194_1_innovation-awards-babies-electricity|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=6 November 2013}}</ref>
⚫
*[[World Economic Forum]] and [[Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship|Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year]], 2013 <ref>{{cite web|title=Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013|url=https://www.weforum.org/people/rahul-panicker/|publisher=World Economic Forum}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mischler|first=Michèle|title=Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013|url=http://www.schwabfound.org/content/social-entrepreneurs-year-2013|publisher=Schwab Foundation|accessdate=20 March 2013}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Industrial Designers Society of America]] [[International Design Excellence Awards]] (IDEA) Gold, 2012 <ref>{{cite web|last=OZLER|first=Levent|title=Best in Show of the 2012 International Design Excellence Awards|url=https://www.dexigner.com/news/25546|publisher=Dexigner|accessdate=27 August 2012}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Tech Award]] Laureate, 2012 <ref>{{cite news|last=Thorpe|first=Devin|title=28 Award Winners Highlight Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2012/09/30/28-award-winners-highlight-innovation-in-social-entrepreneurship/|newspaper=Forbes|date=30 September 2012}}</ref>
⚫
*[[CNBC TV18]] Young Turk, 2012 <ref>{{cite news|title=Rahul Panicker @EmbraceInnov & his health tech #startup story of creating portable infant warmer #YTatMakeInIndia|url=http://www.scoopnest.com/user/CNBCTV18News/699903413614579712|date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Young Turks|url=https://www.facebook.com/cnbcyoungturks/photos/a.149390181794157.33633.121567547909754/325886100811230/?type=3&theater|date=16 April 2012}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Echoing Green]] Fellow, 2008 <ref>{{cite web|title=Echoing Green Fellows|url=http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/rahul-panicker|publisher=Echoing Green}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==

Before starting [[Embrace (non-profit)|Embrace]], Panicker worked briefly at [[Infinera]] Corporation. While there, he worked in a team led by co-founder, President, and member of the Infinera Board, [http://www.infinera.com/company/mgmt.html David F. Welch], Ph.D., in the new products group, working on ultra hi-speed optical telecom systems.
Before starting [[Embrace (non-profit)|Embrace]], Panicker worked briefly at [[Infinera]] Corporation. While there, he worked in a team led by co-founder, President, and member of the Infinera Board, [http://www.infinera.com/company/mgmt.html David F. Welch], Ph.D., in the new products group, working on ultra hi-speed optical telecom systems.


===Embrace===
===Embrace===
{{Main article|Embrace (non-profit)|Embrace Innovations}}
{{Main|Embrace (non-profit)|Embrace Innovations}}
⚫
In 2007, while studying at Stanford, Panicker and a few other fellow graduates were part of a class, Entrepreneurial Design for Extreme Affordability, at the d.school at Stanford University. They were asked to create a low-cost infant incubator that could be used in developing countries.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNBC TV18|title=Embrace: A low cost infant warmer|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/smementor/mentorade/innovation/embrace-a-low-cost-infant-warmer-693195.html|accessdate=18 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506084224/http://www.moneycontrol.com/smementor/mentorade/innovation/embrace-a-low-cost-infant-warmer-693195.html|archive-date=6 May 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> They designed an infant warmer that worked without electricity, was expected to be low-cost and was designed for use even by rural mothers in developing countries. After the class, they co-founded [[Embrace (non-profit)]], a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in 2008 to bring their project to life.<ref>{{cite news|last=Platoni|first=Kara|title=Baby, It's Cold Outside|url=http://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=30632|newspaper=Stanford Alumni|date=January–February 2012}}</ref> The non-profit entity, Embrace, donates infant warmers to clinics in need, and the for-profit social enterprise, [[Embrace Innovations]], sells the warmers to other clinics.

⚫
In 2007, while studying at Stanford, Panicker and a few other fellow graduates were part of a class, Entrepreneurial Design for Extreme Affordability, at the d.school at Stanford University. They were asked to create a low-cost infant incubator that could be used in developing countries.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNBC TV18|title=Embrace: A low cost infant warmer|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/smementor/mentorade/innovation/embrace-a-low-cost-infant-warmer-693195.html|accessdate=18 April 2012}} {{deadlink|date=October 2018}}</ref> They designed an infant warmer that worked without electricity, was expected to be low-cost, and was designed for use even by rural mothers in developing countries. After the class, they co-founded [[Embrace (non-profit)]], a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in 2008 to bring their project to life.<ref>{{cite news|last=Platoni|first=Kara|title=Baby, It's Cold Outside|url=http://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=30632|newspaper=Stanford Alumni|date=January–February 2012}}</ref> The non-profit entity, Embrace, donates infant warmers to clinics in need, and the for-profit social enterprise, [[Embrace Innovations]], sells the warmers to other clinics.

⚫
Embrace has also been awarded the [[INDEX: Design to Improve Life]] award in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|last=The Daily News Staff|title=Embrace, Stanford enterprise, wins Index Award|url=http://www.stanforddaily.com/2011/09/27/embrace-stanford-enterprise-wins-index-award/|publisher=The Stanford Daily|accessdate=27 September 2011}}</ref> and the Fast Company Innovation By Design Awards, 2012,.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Mark|title=The 11 Winners Of Our 2012 Innovation By Design Awards|url=http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671027/the-11-winners-of-our-innovation-by-design-awards|publisher=Fast Company|accessdate=17 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kuang|first=Cliff|title=Why Good Design Is Finally A Bottom Line Investment|url=http://www.fastcodesign.com/1640520/from-awww-to-awesome-babies-doc-funds-incubators-to-help-save-20m-infants|publisher=Fast Company|accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref>


⚫
Embrace has also been awarded the [[The Index Project|INDEX: Design to Improve Life]] award in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|last=The Daily News Staff|title=Embrace, Stanford enterprise, wins Index Award|date=27 September 2011|url=http://www.stanforddaily.com/2011/09/27/embrace-stanford-enterprise-wins-index-award/|publisher=The Stanford Daily|accessdate=27 September 2011}}</ref> and the Fast Company Innovation By Design Awards, 2012,.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Mark|title=The 11 Winners Of Our 2012 Innovation By Design Awards|url=http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671027/the-11-winners-of-our-innovation-by-design-awards|publisher=Fast Company|accessdate=17 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kuang|first=Cliff|title=Why Good Design Is Finally A Bottom Line Investment|url=http://www.fastcodesign.com/1640520/from-awww-to-awesome-babies-doc-funds-incubators-to-help-save-20m-infants|publisher=Fast Company|accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref>
⚫
==Awards and recognition==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
|-
|2015
⚫
|[[MIT Technology Review]] [[TR35]] 35-Innovators-Under-35 worldwide<ref>{{cite web|title=35 Innovators Under 35, 2015|url=https://www.technologyreview.com/lists/innovators-under-35/2015/|publisher=MIT Technology Review}}</ref>
|-
|2013
⚫
|[[The Economist]] Innovation Award for Social and Economic Innovation<ref>{{cite news|last=Quarterly|first=Technology|title=Innovation awards And the winners are...|url=https://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21590752-innovation-awards-our-annual-prizes-recognise-successful-innovators-eight|newspaper=The Economist|date=30 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bangalore-based startup founders win Economist Innovation Award|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-11-06/news/43733194_1_innovation-awards-babies-electricity|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111005432/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-11-06/news/43733194_1_innovation-awards-babies-electricity|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2013|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=6 November 2013}}</ref>
|-
|2013
⚫
|[[World Economic Forum]] and [[Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship|Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013|url=https://www.weforum.org/people/rahul-panicker/|publisher=World Economic Forum}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mischler|first=Michèle|title=Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013|url=http://www.schwabfound.org/content/social-entrepreneurs-year-2013|publisher=Schwab Foundation|accessdate=20 March 2013}}</ref>
|-
|2012
⚫
|[[Industrial Designers Society of America]] [[International Design Excellence Awards]] (IDEA) Gold<ref>{{cite web|last=OZLER|first=Levent|title=Best in Show of the 2012 International Design Excellence Awards|url=https://www.dexigner.com/news/25546|publisher=Dexigner|accessdate=27 August 2012}}</ref>
|-
|2012
⚫
|[[Tech Award]] Laureate<ref>{{cite news|last=Thorpe|first=Devin|title=28 Award Winners Highlight Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2012/09/30/28-award-winners-highlight-innovation-in-social-entrepreneurship/|newspaper=Forbes|date=30 September 2012}}</ref>
|-
|2012
⚫
|[[CNBC TV18]] Young Turk<ref>{{cite news|title=Rahul Panicker @EmbraceInnov & his health tech #startup story of creating portable infant warmer #YTatMakeInIndia|url=http://www.scoopnest.com/user/CNBCTV18News/699903413614579712|date=17 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Young Turks| website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/cnbcyoungturks/photos/a.149390181794157.33633.121567547909754/325886100811230/?type=3&theater|date=16 April 2012}}</ref>
|-
|2008
⚫
|[[Echoing Green]] Fellow<ref>{{cite web|title=Echoing Green Fellows|url=http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/rahul-panicker|publisher=Echoing Green}}</ref>
|}
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
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[[Category:Indian social entrepreneurs]]
[[Category:Indian social entrepreneurs]]
[[Category:People from Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:People from Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:IIT Madras alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Institute of Technology Madras alumni]]
[[Category:Winners of The Economist innovation awards]]
[[Category:Winners of The Economist innovation awards]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian inventors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian inventors]]
[[Category:Engineers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Engineers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Latest revision as of 23:34, 21 October 2024

Rahul Panicker
Born
Mavelikkara, Kerala, India
NationalityIndian
Alma mater
Occupation(s)President and Co-founder Embrace Innovations
Known forCo-founder at Embrace, and President and Co-founder at Embrace Innovations

Rahul Alex Panicker is a technology leader and entrepreneur, formerly Chief Innovation Officer at the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence, [1] and best known as the President and Co-founder of Embrace Innovations[2] and Embrace, a social enterprise startup that aims to help premature and low-birth-weight babies, through a low-cost infant warmer.[3][4]

Until early 2016, Panicker served as the President of Embrace Innovations, a social enterprise that designs and brings to market healthcare technologies for the developing world, starting with an infant warmer. The Embrace infant warmer costs less than 1% of a traditional incubator, and is currently being distributed across clinics in India, and over 15 developing countries.[5][6][7] He is also a member of the FICCI Health Innovation Task Force in India.[8] Starting 2016, he has been engaged in exploring and speaking about the potential impact of AI and what societies can do to prepare for the future, including at TEDx IIT Kharagpur.

Early life and education

[edit]

Panicker was born in Mavelikara, Kerala, India [9] to Moly and P.C. Mathen Panicker of Kottarakara. He attended Indian Community School, Kuwait, and Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Trivandrum, India, and hails from Vayalikada, Thiruvananthapuram.[10]

Panicker holds an M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford Department of Electrical Engineering, and a B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), India. He is also an alumnus of the design school at Stanford.[11]

As part of his Ph.D. at Stanford, Panicker worked at the interface of machine learning and optics. His thesis work used machine learning techniques to demonstrate a 10 to 100 fold increase in capacity of multimode optical communication systems. His work combined convex optimization, machine learning, adaptive optics and spatial light modulators.[12] He also worked at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, applying artificial neural networks to accelerator-beam controls.

Career

[edit]

Before starting Embrace, Panicker worked briefly at Infinera Corporation. While there, he worked in a team led by co-founder, President, and member of the Infinera Board, David F. Welch, Ph.D., in the new products group, working on ultra hi-speed optical telecom systems.

Embrace

[edit]
Main articles: Embrace (non-profit) and Embrace Innovations

In 2007, while studying at Stanford, Panicker and a few other fellow graduates were part of a class, Entrepreneurial Design for Extreme Affordability, at the d.school at Stanford University. They were asked to create a low-cost infant incubator that could be used in developing countries.[13] They designed an infant warmer that worked without electricity, was expected to be low-cost and was designed for use even by rural mothers in developing countries. After the class, they co-founded Embrace (non-profit), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, in 2008 to bring their project to life.[14] The non-profit entity, Embrace, donates infant warmers to clinics in need, and the for-profit social enterprise, Embrace Innovations, sells the warmers to other clinics.

Embrace has also been awarded the INDEX: Design to Improve Life award in 2011,[15] and the Fast Company Innovation By Design Awards, 2012,.[16][17]

Awards and recognition

[edit]
Year Title
2015 MIT Technology Review TR35 35-Innovators-Under-35 worldwide[18]
2013 The Economist Innovation Award for Social and Economic Innovation[19][20]
2013 World Economic Forum and Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year[21][22]
2012 Industrial Designers Society of America International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) Gold[23]
2012 Tech Award Laureate[24]
2012 CNBC TV18 Young Turk[25][26]
2008 Echoing Green Fellow[27]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "EmTech Digital AI for Social Good Rahul Panicker, Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence". MIT Tech Review. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  2. ^ Mischler, Michèle. "Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013". Schwab Foundation. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  3. ^ Dooley, Sean (17 December 2010). "Embrace Infant Warmer Could Save Thousands".
  4. ^ Ahmad, Samreen (9 April 2012). "Spreading life-saving warmth". Tehelka.
  5. ^ Deepa, Balakrishnan (12 September 2012). "Portable incubators in 4 states a new lease of life". CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013.
  6. ^ Udayabhanu, Prem (24 December 2015). "The Keralite who made it to MIT's top 35 Innovators' list". Manorama Online.
  7. ^ Ranganna, Akhila (18 January 2016). "Saving Lives: How Rahul Panicker Developed a Low-cost Incubator for Newborns". Man's World India. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  8. ^ IANS. "National innovation council to build an ecosystem for healthcare products and services". health.india.com. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  9. ^ Sirnate, Vasundhara (3 October 2009). "Embrace of Life". Open Magazine.
  10. ^ Udayabhanu, Prem (24 December 2015). "The Keralite who made it to MIT's top 35 Innovators' list". Manorama Online.
  11. ^ Bagchi, Shrabonti (19 September 2011). "SAVING LITTLE LIVES". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  12. ^ Panicker, Rahul (2007). Compensation of Modal Dispersion in Multimode Fiber Systems Using Adaptive Optics Via Convex Optimization. Stanford University: Stanford University. p. 76. ISBN 978-0549355779.
  13. ^ "Embrace: A low cost infant warmer". CNBC TV18. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  14. ^ Platoni, Kara (January–February 2012). "Baby, It's Cold Outside". Stanford Alumni.
  15. ^ The Daily News Staff (27 September 2011). "Embrace, Stanford enterprise, wins Index Award". The Stanford Daily. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  16. ^ Wilson, Mark. "The 11 Winners Of Our 2012 Innovation By Design Awards". Fast Company. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  17. ^ Kuang, Cliff. "Why Good Design Is Finally A Bottom Line Investment". Fast Company. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  18. ^ "35 Innovators Under 35, 2015". MIT Technology Review.
  19. ^ Quarterly, Technology (30 November 2013). "Innovation awards And the winners are..." The Economist.
  20. ^ "Bangalore-based startup founders win Economist Innovation Award". The Economic Times. 6 November 2013. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013.
  21. ^ "Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013". World Economic Forum.
  22. ^ Mischler, Michèle. "Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013". Schwab Foundation. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  23. ^ OZLER, Levent. "Best in Show of the 2012 International Design Excellence Awards". Dexigner. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  24. ^ Thorpe, Devin (30 September 2012). "28 Award Winners Highlight Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship". Forbes.
  25. ^ "Rahul Panicker @EmbraceInnov & his health tech #startup story of creating portable infant warmer #YTatMakeInIndia". 17 February 2016.
  26. ^ "Young Turks". Facebook. 16 April 2012.
  27. ^ "Echoing Green Fellows". Echoing Green.
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