Who are Ig Nobel Prize Winners 2026? Indian Scientists Behind Cockroach Milk Study Take Top Chemistry Honor
A team of scientists led by Indian researchers won the 2026 Ig Nobel Chemistry Prize for studying cockroach milk. Their work shows how an odd biological feature in insects reveals new ways nature packs and stores high-density energy.
The Nobel Prize is well known for awarding a set of prestigious international awards annually for outstanding achievements but do you know what is the Ig Nobel Prize? The Ig Nobel Prizes are organized by the science humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research.
The 36th annual ceremony was held on September 3, 2026, at the Zurich Convention Center in Switzerland. The committee handed out Ig Nobel Prizes for research that first makes people laugh, and then makes them think.
Nobel Laureates handed out awards that had feet and mushroom designs along with an ornate 10 trillion dollar bill from Zimbabwe in the 36th year. It is not meant to ridicule scientists, rather, it is to point out how unusual experiments can lead to important discoveries.
Who Won the 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes? Full Winners List
Ten research teams received Ig Nobel Prize awards across various fields. They were the researchers who proved that odd questions can lead to real answers.
| S. No. | Ig Nobel Award Category | Winners/Researchers | Research Topic and Key Finding |
| 1 | Chemistry | Sanchari Banerjee, Subrahmanyan Ramaswamy, et al. | Discovered that cockroach milk crystals carry three times more energy than cow's milk. |
| 2 | Technology | Changhong Cao, Jianyu Li, et al. | Used mosquito blood-sucking mouthparts as super-fine 3D printing nozzles. |
| 3 | Medicine | Dr. Tokuji Unno (awarded posthumously) | Studied the airflow and pressure changes caused by blowing your nose. |
| 4 | Soil Science | Pia Viviani, Atlant Bieri, et al. | Buried 1,000 pairs of cotton underpants across 25 countries to test soil life and health. |
| 5 | Physics | Zhao Pan, Kavee Thurairajah, et al. | Designed splash-free urinals by shaping walls so liquid hits at an angle below 30 degrees. |
| 6 | Evolution | Matilda Brindle, Stuart West, Catherine F. Talbot | Mapped how kissing evolved across different animal species over time. |
How Cockroach Milk Study by Indian Scientists and Team Won Ig Nobel Prize 2026?
The prize went to an international team featuring Indian researchers from the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (instem) in Bengaluru. They studied the Pacific beetle cockroach (Diploptera punctata) which is one of the only insects that gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
To feed her babies the mother produces a liquid secretion inside her brood sac.
As the embryos drink it the liquid turns into solid protein crystals inside their midgut. When the researchers analysed these microscopic crystals they found a complete food source packed with proteins, fats, and sugars.
In fact a single crystal contains three times the energy of the same amount of dairy milk.
Harshita Singh is an education and general knowledge journalist with over 5 years of experience in educational writing. Specializing in US affairs and GK, Harshita has a track record of breaking down intricate geopolitical and historical subjects into clear, digestible insights for learners. Her strong background in text analysis, coupled with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English from the University of Delhi, helps her produce authoritative, thoroughly researched content that empowers readers to engage confidently with global current affairs. For inquiries or academic insights, you can reach out to her directly at harshita.singh@jagrannewmedia.com.
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