On September 18, 2025, in Boston, two Indian researchers captured global attention at the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, an event known for celebrating the unusual, humorous, yet thought-provoking side of science. Vikas Kumar, Assistant Professor of Design at Shiv Nadar University, and his student, Sarthak Mittal, were honoured in the engineering design category for their inventive shoe rack that eliminates unpleasant odors a problem familiar to anyone living in multi-story buildings. 

Kumar recalled the surreal moment when they first learned about their award: “At first, we thought someone was playing a prank on us. Later, emails and calls from the chief editor, Mark Abrahams, made us realize that this was real.” Their achievement shows that even the smallest, everyday problems can spark groundbreaking innovation.

From Hostel Observation to Scientific Inquiry

The idea for the award-winning project originated in a student hostel. Mittal noticed that fellow students often placed their shoes outside their rooms. “Initially, I thought it was due to lack of space,” Mittal said. “But later I realized the real culprit was odor.” This simple observation led to rigorous research. Kumar and Mittal examined medical literature, discovering that shoe odor is caused by bacterial accumulation. To counter this, they designed a shoe rack equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp similar to the lamps used in water purification systems to sanitize shoes and prevent odor.

The Ig Nobel: Celebrating the Unusual in Science

The Ig Nobel Prizes were founded in 1991 by the science humour magazine Annals of Improbable Research. Conceived as a playful counterweight to the Nobel Prizes, the Ig Nobel highlights studies that make people laugh first, then think.While the awards may seem whimsical, they address serious scientific questions in creative ways. 

Previous Indian laureates include a 2003 study calculating the surface area of elephants and a 2020 Peace Prize shared with Pakistan for diplomats secretly ringing each other’s doorbells at midnight. This year, Kumar and Mittal’s award marked India’s 22nd Ig Nobel Prize, reinforcing the country’s growing presence in unconventional research.

Highlights from Ig Nobel 2025

The 2025 Ig Nobel ceremony highlighted a range of unusual yet scientifically intriguing studies that captured both humor and curiosity. The Peace Prize went to Germany’s Jessica Werthmann, who examined how moderate alcohol consumption can improve a person’s ability to speak a foreign language. 

In Literature, William Bean from the USA studied his fingernails over 35 years, publishing related medical insights. 

Researchers from Australia, Canada, and Poland won the Psychology prize for investigating how telling narcissists they are smart affects their performance. 

The Nutrition award was shared by teams from Nigeria, Togo, Italy, and France, who studied rainbow lizards eating pizza to understand the impact of urbanization on animal diets. 

In Pediatrics, American scientists Julie Manella and Gary Beauchamp found that garlic consumed by breastfeeding mothers influences breast milk flavor and, in turn, infants’ moods. 

Japanese researchers in Biology painted cows with zebra-like stripes, discovering that it reduced insect attraction.

Chemistry honorees from Israel and the USA explored whether swallowing Teflon affects satiety. 

In Aviation, an international team studied how alcohol influences bats’ flying ability.

European scientists in Physics investigated why pasta sauces sometimes form lumps. 

While eccentric, these studies reveal a deeper curiosity about the natural and social world, demonstrating that research can be both playful and meaningful.

Everyday Science 

What makes Kumar and Mittal’s work particularly relatable is its grounding in everyday human experiences. Almost everyone has encountered smelly shoes, whether in a hostel, apartment, or gym locker. The project demonstrates how scientific inquiry begins with human experience. Mittal’s observation of fellow students sparked questions, leading to experiments, research, and ultimately, global recognition. This human element—the curiosity and empathy behind the experiment—is what relates with people worldwide.

Science That Makes You Think and Smile

The 2025 Ig Nobel Prizes captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike. From odor-fighting shoe racks in India to zebra-striped cows in Japan, the ceremony highlighted how curiosity, creativity, and humor intersect in research.

For Vikas Kumar and Sarthak Mittal, winning the Ig Nobel is more than recognition; it is a celebration of curiosity sparked by observation, ingenuity, and a desire to improve human experience. Their award demonstrates that science does not always have to be grandiose to be impactful; it just needs to address real-world challenges with insight, imagination, and a touch of fun. In a world often focused on high-stakes achievements, the Ig Nobel serves as a reminder: sometimes, making people laugh first can inspire them to think deeply, and that is true science.