Gitanjali Rao: Young Innovator Changing the World

TIME Magazine

At just 19 years old, Gitanjali Rao has already made her mark as one of America's most promising young inventors and scientists. This remarkable teenager from Colorado has transformed her curiosity about the world's problems into groundbreaking solutions that could impact millions of lives.

Early Life and Inspiration

Born in 2005, Gitanjali discovered her passion for science and innovation at a young age. Growing up in a world where technology was rapidly advancing, she became fascinated by how science could solve real-world problems. Her journey into invention began when she was just in elementary school, driven by a simple but powerful question: "How can I use what I'm learning to help people?"

Major Inventions and Innovations

Tethys: Fighting Water Contamination

Gitanjali's breakthrough came with her invention of Tethys, an innovative lead contamination detection tool that earned her an EPA Presidential award. Named after the Greek goddess of fresh water, this device can quickly and accurately detect lead in drinking water using carbon nanotube sensors connected to a smartphone app.

The inspiration for Tethys came from the 2016 Flint, Michigan water crisis, where thousands of residents were exposed to dangerous levels of lead in their drinking water. Traditional lead testing methods were expensive and time-consuming, often taking days or weeks to get results. Gitanjali's device provides results in seconds at a fraction of the cost, making safe water testing accessible to communities that need it most.

Epione: Early Detection of Opioid Addiction

Gitanjali also invented "Epione"—a device for early diagnosis of prescription opioid addiction using genetic engineering techniques. This innovative tool can identify genetic markers that indicate a person's susceptibility to opioid addiction before it develops, potentially helping doctors make more informed prescribing decisions and preventing addiction before it starts.

Kindly: Fighting Cyberbullying with AI

Gitanjali developed an app called Kindly that uses AI to detect signs of cyberbullying very early on. The app analyzes text messages and social media posts to identify potentially harmful language before it escalates into serious bullying situations. She has partnered with UNICEF, a global organization that helps children, to expand the reach of Kindly.

Recognition and Awards

Gitanjali's innovative work has earned her numerous prestigious awards and recognition:

• Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge Winner (2017): Rao won the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge in 2017, beating thousands of other young scientists with her lead detection device.

• TIME's First-Ever Kid of the Year (2020): Rao was named Time's top young innovator of 2020 for her innovations, making her the first person to receive this newly created honor.

• Forbes 30 Under 30: She was recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 for her innovations, highlighting her as one of the most influential young people in science and technology.

• White House Recognition: MIT student Gitanjali Rao was honored by First Lady Jill Biden at the first Girls Leading Change celebration held at the White House.

Education and Current Pursuits

Gitanjali is currently a student at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), one of the world's leading science and engineering universities. Rao, a first-year undergraduate, is an accomplished inventor and author. Her academic journey reflects her commitment to using her education to create positive change in the world.

Mentorship and Community Building

Beyond her inventions, Gitanjali is passionate about inspiring the next generation of innovators. Gitanjali Rao has mentored over 30,000 students in her quest to build a community of innovators. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and online programs, she teaches young people that anyone can be an inventor, regardless of their age or background.

Personal Values and Interests

She loves playing piano at assisted living centers for the elderly to achieve her life goal of making others happy. This shows that beyond her scientific achievements, Gitanjali values human connection and using her talents to bring joy to others.

Looking to the Future

As Gitanjali continues her studies and research, she remains focused on using technology to solve pressing social issues. Her work spans multiple fields, including environmental science, public health, and social justice, demonstrating that young people can make meaningful contributions to society when they combine passion with scientific knowledge.

Why Gitanjali Matters

Gitanjali Rao represents a new generation of innovators who see problems as opportunities to create solutions. Her story shows that age is not a barrier to making a real difference in the world. She proves that with curiosity, dedication, and the right support, young people can tackle some of society's biggest challenges.

Her inventions address critical issues affecting millions of people: clean water access, the opioid crisis, and cyberbullying. By focusing on problems that directly impact communities, especially vulnerable populations, Gitanjali demonstrates how science and technology can be forces for social good.

Lessons for Young Innovators

Gitanjali's journey offers several important lessons for aspiring young scientists and inventors:

1. Start with problems you care about: All of her inventions address issues she genuinely wanted to solve.

2. Don't let age limit your ambitions: She began inventing as a child and has achieved more than many adults.

3. Use technology for good: Her work shows how cutting-edge science can address social problems.

4. Share your knowledge: Through mentoring, she multiplies her impact by inspiring others.

5. Stay curious and keep learning: Her diverse inventions show the power of interdisciplinary thinking.

Gitanjali Rao's story is still being written, but she has already shown that young people with big ideas, scientific knowledge, and determination can change the world. As she continues her education and research, there's no telling what other innovations she'll create to make life better for people everywhere.