Gitanjali Rao
on Youth Disrupting Science
“I don’t look like your typical scientist.”
Fair enough. When you first hear “scientist,” you probably picture an older, white male. But Gitanjali Rao is anything but that!
She’s the radiant and inspiring smile on the cover of TIME Magazine. The "Top Young Innovator" and "Kid of the Year", forever demolishing any stereotypes one might have about scientists.
We have no clue how a gift can change the trajectory of one’s life. Or how play and curiosity can be the pillars of greatness. When she was four, Gitanjali received a fun science kit from her uncle. She would play with it daily until “discovery” became habitual. Intuitively, she just knew: “This was what I wanted to become - someone who comes up with and experiments.” Problem-solving became her second nature: “Once we understand the gaps in the current ways, finding a solution is easier!”
Today, Gitanjali has translated this playful curiosity into science for positive change. She is an 18-year-old inventor, author, speaker, student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an active promoter of STEM worldwide. Named by Forbes "30 Under 30 in Science" and recognized as America's Top Young Scientist, Gitanjali received a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Presidential Award for her patented invention of an innovative lead contamination detection tool. An unstoppable force, Gitanjali invented "Epione," a device for the early diagnosis of prescription opioid addiction using genetic engineering, and "Kindly," an anti-cyberbullying service for teenagers.
As the author of "Young Innovator's Guide to STEM," she guides students, educators, and teachers through a self-developed, prescriptive process, offering insights into achieving and sustaining innovation: “There’s something so exciting about being able to share your story and representing kids from all walks of life, no matter their gender, age, or nationality. It’s not easy when you don’t see yourself represented by someone like you. If I can do it, you can do it, too! Anyone can!”
When the students she supports don’t know how to start, Gitanjali offers them a spark that they can then build off of, which changes everything: “It means one more person in this world who wants to come up with ideas to solve global problems.” A vital element in every child's life should be a support system, humans who believe in them: “It can be parents, teachers, or mentors. Kids should not be afraid of rejection. I have failed more times than I have succeeded, I heard No too many times! I urge youth to ask for help with integrity and honesty, to stay true to themselves regardless!”
Read Gitanjali's answers for Inspirators and follow her kind words: “I hope that I have proven that anyone can be an innovator! Recognition should just be a responsibility to do more for society!”
Thank you, Gitanjali, for being an Atypical Scientist!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Gitanjali Rao
Company / Institution: Student, MIT
Title: Rising Sophomore, Researcher, STEM Promoter
Website: gitanjalirao.net
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gitanjalirao
Country of origin: United States
Country you currently live in: United States
Your definition of Regeneration: A forward-thinking approach towards revitalizing systems, communities environments, and even people to make them sustainable and resilient for the future.
Main business challenge you face: Typically, I find myself not always being taken seriously for my age, race, or gender which makes my mission seem difficult.
Main driver that keeps you going: Coming up with creative, unique ideas is difficult and it’s important to pay attention to those whose opinions matter vs. those who don’t. Mentors and role models will lift you up and it’s important to cancel out excess noise when building ideas.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: My resiliency and curiosity.
The trait you most value in others: A sense of empathy.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: I love music, I play the bass guitar in a band. I will also take any opportunity to go on a sunset hike with a matcha!
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
Pardis Sabeti - Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Bob Langer - Co-Founder of Moderna and Koch Institute of Integrated Cancer Research
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: “The older generations are at fault.” I believe this is outdated because we need to stand on the shoulders of giants and work with the older generations to create a better, more sustainable future.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: It’s important to take risks when it doesn’t matter versus when it does, approach the world like a limitless teenager.
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
Think Again by Adam Grant
Obviously, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief :)
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again: Little Women, Jurassic Park.
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Anything by Taylor Swift :)
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Kenya, Cambodia, Thailand, and so many more!
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: A focus on contamination of our natural resources, focusing on the root causes of the problem rather than smaller subsets of it
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: Many of the current generations have started to shift their focus towards the importance of innovation and have a very forward-thinking mindset. We’re also expanding access to quality education, taking into consideration new and unique perspectives.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: Our generation is growing up in a place where we’re seeing problems that have never existed before and technology is changing fast, but the world still seems to be scared of change
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Visionary thinking, dreaming before bringing it to reality.
The Inspirator you are endorsing for a future edition is:
Pardis Sabeti
The quote that inspires you:
“It’s not that I’m smart, it’s just that I stay with the problem longer.” (Albert Einstein)
Your quote that will inspire us:
