{"id":7732,"date":"2021-12-02T15:53:07","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T10:23:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalindian.com\/youth\/\/?post_type=story&#038;p=7732"},"modified":"2025-09-27T11:31:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T06:01:03","slug":"15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientist, innovator, TEDx speaker, trainee pilot \u2013 how teenage prodigy Gitanjali Rao is raising the bar"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote>\n<h5><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cI know a lot of people say that kids are the future, but I want to spread the message that we are here now, and we can make a difference.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/b> &#8211;<em> 11-year-old Gitanjali Rao in 2017\u00a0<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Meet\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Indian American<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">teen scientist<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">TIME\u2019s First Kid of the Year<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, Gitanjali Rao. She\u00a0is wise, confident, knowledgeable, self-assured and loves reading\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u2019s<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0websites. A chat with her is refreshing:\u00a0Lucid thoughts flow almost as if scripted. It\u2019s hard to fathom how a 4 foot something girl with sparkling eyes oozes such clarity. Picture\u00a0a pre-teen\u00a0walking\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Denver\u00a0Water Treatment<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> plant with a lab coat over gummies, and\u00a0holding\u00a0forte among science professionals.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Gitanjali Rao invented a \u201cTethys\u201d that detects lead in drinking water\u2014she\u2019s only 15 years old! This young woman single-handedly could do more for the residents affected by the Flint Water Crisis than the elected officials who were supposed to protect them!<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/izuSEObnG7\">https:\/\/t.co\/izuSEObnG7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AttorneyCrump\/status\/1356357624376287233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In an <strong>exclusive interview<\/strong> with <strong>Global Indian<\/strong>, She radiates poise as she speaks on her first prototype in use \u2013 Tethys, which detects lead contamination in water and shares that information through Bluetooth. Her occasional giggles make this <strong>child scientist<\/strong> more endearing. Today, at 15, she has 11 innovations to her name, of which three are in the prototype stage with one released.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Innovation-driven by empathy<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gitanjali, named after\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Nobel laureate<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rabindranath Tagore\u2019s<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0famous book of poems,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has an<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0altruistic sense of scientific purpose\u00a0that\u00a0takes one aback.\u00a0In\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">3M\u2019s<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W47RlKGbZRs\"><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Not the Science Type<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">docuseries, she says:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h5><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cAll of us can make a difference. It\u2019s just about finding that one thing you want to change, and changing it. I want to use science to inspire kindness. Find yourself with it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">15 year old Indian-American scientist&amp;inventor Gitanjali Rao has been named \u2066<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TIME?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TIME<\/a>\u2069\u2019s 1st-ever <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/KidOfTheYear?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#KidOfTheYear<\/a> for her work in technology to tackle issues ranging from cyber bullying to contaminated drinking water. \u201cIf I can do it,\u201d she says,\u201cyou can do it. Anyone can do it.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/J6fvSLDe8t\">pic.twitter.com\/J6fvSLDe8t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShashiTharoor\/status\/1334727929037606912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 4, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4><i><\/i><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Wearing multiple hats<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A weighty quest for science guides the\u00a0toothy\u00a0teen scientist.\u00a0She is described as a\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Forbes 30 Under 30,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">America&#8217;s Top Young Scientist,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">TEDx Speaker,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">STEM Promoter,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">TIME Top Young Innovator<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, author and student. Moreover,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">she is a proficient\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">glider<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">pianist<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">classical dancer<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">fencer<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, and a (self-proclaimed) average cook. This quest started with her proclivity to ask questions. Years on, those very questions led her to solutions. First, she tackled <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">water scarcity<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and contamination that led to the Tethys prototype at just 11.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5592\" style=\"width: 436px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5592\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5592 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/globalindian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Gita-2.jpg\" alt=\"Meet Indian American teen scientist and TIME\u2019s First Kid of the Year. At the age of 15, Gitanjali Rao she has 11 innovations to her name.\" width=\"426\" height=\"568\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 426px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 426\/568;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5592\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5592\" src=\"https:\/\/globalindian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Gita-2.jpg\" alt=\"Meet Indian American teen scientist and TIME\u2019s First Kid of the Year. At the age of 15, Gitanjali Rao she has 11 innovations to her name.\" width=\"426\" height=\"568\" \/><\/noscript><p id=\"caption-attachment-5592\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the age of 15, Gitanjali Rao has 11 innovations to her name.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The technology, Rao says, can be easily enhanced to other contaminants. \u201cMore students, especially in the recent\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Regeneron Science Talent Research<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Stockholm Junior Water Prize<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, etc have taken the same technology and enhanced it for other contaminants or water purification with doped nanotubes. Arsenic, Mercury and Cadmium are a few,\u201d she\u00a0tells\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Global Indian\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">in an exclusive interview. Further, she has provided some Brazilian students her solution for further research. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h5><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cI am in the process of working with American Water Works Association to explore influencing state and federal policies on water testing,\u201d says\u00a0Rao.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">She paid<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for Tethys materials through her\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Discovery_Education_3M_Young_Scientist_Challenge\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Discovery\u00a0Education\u00a03M Young Scientist Challenge<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">prize money, which she won when she was barely 12.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Addressing the\u00a0opioid\u00a0crisis<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rao became fixated with another question\u00a0\u2013 how to address the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">opioid crisis<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0when a family friend was prescribed opioids after an accident.\u00a0She developed\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Epione<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> \u2013 a tool to diagnose prescription opioid addiction using an ELISA-based protein detection method. Epione works on a fluid sample and uses protein expression from the mu-opioid receptor gene to find out if a patient is at the onset of addiction. \u201cThe device uses standard colorimetry processes to identify addiction status. Results on a mobile app show the status of addiction, and includes a map of the nearest addiction centre,\u201d Rao adds about this early-stage research.\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5611\" style=\"width: 862px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5611\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5611 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/globalindian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Gita-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"852\" height=\"568\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 852px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 852\/568;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5611\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5611\" src=\"https:\/\/globalindian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Gita-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"852\" height=\"568\" \/><\/noscript><p id=\"caption-attachment-5611\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gitanjali Rao enjoys talking about science with kids.<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Parental\u00a0guidance<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rao feels her upbringing &#8211; thinking, trying and ideating differently were encouraged &#8211; made problem-solving a habit. She probably inherited intellectual rigor from her parents &#8211; <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rama and Bharathi<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rao,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0who\u00a0migrated from\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mangalore\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">to the US\u00a0and\u00a0have strong\u00a0academic\u00a0credentials. Her\u00a0parents<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0instilled\u00a0the\u00a0freedom to choose and that she says\u00a0taught her\u00a0to be resourceful and take risks.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h5><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cIf I felt like learning to fly a glider, I had to earn it, find a scholarship. If I wanted to attend a space camp, I had to search for scholarships and apply. To learn more about a concept, they would help me search for an expert, article or professor. They ensured I was safe, and allowed me to take risks.\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Today, she has a student\u2019s flying license and can fly a glider.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5593\" style=\"width: 1020px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5593\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5593 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/globalindian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Gita-8.jpg\" alt=\"Learning how to fly\" width=\"1010\" height=\"568\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1010px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1010\/568;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5593\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5593\" src=\"https:\/\/globalindian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Gita-8.jpg\" alt=\"Learning how to fly\" width=\"1010\" height=\"568\" \/><\/noscript><p id=\"caption-attachment-5593\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gitanjali Rao learning how to fly.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The\u00a0Raos\u00a0knew they were raising a special kid very early on. As a 10-year-old, a parent can expect the kid to ask for a new video game or a toy but the\u00a0Raos\u00a0had to service a\u00a0<strong>carbon nanotube<\/strong> request.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8216;Kindly&#8217; to prevent cyberbullying<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Among the other technologies that Rao has developed is\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Kindly,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> where she started with the question of how to prevent cyber threats. Kindly is an\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">anti-cyber-bullying<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> app\u00a0that detects words related to cyberbullying using\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">machine<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong> learning<\/strong> and <strong>natural language processing<\/strong>. As trailblazers go, her meeting with <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Microsoft CEO\u00a0Satya Nadella<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> helped guide her with the initial prototype for Kindly. In an awe-inspiring meeting, Nadella was \u201ckind enough to meet a 13-year-old, listen to her ideas and support,\u201d\u00a0she says.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Kindly has a Beta standalone app and browser extension now, and she has partnered with\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">UNICEF<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to roll this out as a product that can be used worldwide to measure the number of preventable cyberbullying events.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Promoting STEM education through innovation workshops<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A three-time\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">TEDx speaker<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and winner of the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">US\u00a0President\u2019s Environmental Youth Award<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rao\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">is hoping to solicit new innovators to address the world\u2019s problems through her innovation workshops. She has already reached about 50,000 students in 26 countries<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Young Scientist&#039;s Guide to Problem Solving and Innovation | Gitanjali Rao | TEDxChennai\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GBEPYDLD3vg?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cI hope to reach out to 50,000 more by 2021-end in partnership with MJP Foundation for schools in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cambodia<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Royal Academy of Engineering\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">for students in the UK,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Transformation Ghana<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, and individual schools in India,\u201d says the girl, who is now working on parasitic water contamination detection using <strong>genetic engineering<\/strong>. The key is to inspire girls to be unafraid of science and technology and help them connect it to real impact. But challenges abound. A workshop for girls in Gaza was canceled due to security issues. In Afghanistan and Chile, her struggle was to help people understand her accent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cIn a refugee camp in Kenya, some students had to walk 45 minutes just to listen, and had to leave before dark.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The students\u00a0at Kenya\u2019s\u00a0Kakuma refugee camp started their own STEM classes using\u00a0Rao\u2019s\u00a0book (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/1642938009\/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">A Young Innovators Guide to STEM \u2013 5 Steps for Problem Solving<\/span><\/i><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h5><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cSchools in India that reach out and facilitate are much easier, though I have to tune my message for kindness, empathy, and collaboration.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The TIME accolade has amplified her voice to influence and introduce innovation into the early education system. Since April 2018, Gitanjali has been working with UNICEF and was recognized as one of America\u2019s Top Youth volunteers by <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">She<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">even donated\u00a0to UNICEF\u2019s India\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">COVID-19\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">response.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ellen Meets Awe-Inspiring Time&#039;s Kid of the Year\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E_li_TNwOEk?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">A family girl<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">She is often teased by her family that she might be \u201cKid of the Year\u201d but she still has to do her chores and clean her room. Her friends can\u2019t fathom how America\u2019s top kid scientist forgets adding key ingredients like melted butter while baking. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Her Indianness comes out in glimpses &#8211; eating hot<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">bhajiyas<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0on a rainy day. Or sipping on borrowed chai from her mom with a\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Parle\u00a0G<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> biscuit\u00a0or rusk. Due to the pandemic, Gitanjali missed her yearly visits to India\u00a0to see\u00a0her maternal grandparents in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Navi Mumbai\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">and paternal grandfather in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Hyderabad.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">But she\u2019s thankful\u00a0they are in the US now.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Mentored by icons<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Having\u00a0good\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">mentors<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is an important\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">crucible<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0in any\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Global Indian\u2019s<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0journey.\u00a0Rao\u00a0speaks of being\u00a0under the tutelage of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dr Kathleen Shafer<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0from 3M (Tethys),\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dr Selene Hernandez<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> (Denver Water), and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dr Michael McMurray<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0who guided her on genetic engineering concepts.\u00a0Moving forward, her goal is to reach\u00a0out\u00a0to\u00a0the US Department of\u00a0Education\u00a0to\u00a0bring\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">innovation into daily curriculum, which means innovations in\u00a0education.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4066\" style=\"width: 435px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4066\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4066 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/globalindian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Jayshree-gitanjali_adobespark.jpg\" alt=\"Jayshree Seth with Indian-origin teen innovator Gitanjali Rao\" width=\"425\" height=\"566\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 425px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 425\/566;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4066\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4066\" src=\"https:\/\/globalindian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Jayshree-gitanjali_adobespark.jpg\" alt=\"Jayshree Seth with Indian-origin teen innovator Gitanjali Rao\" width=\"425\" height=\"566\" \/><\/noscript><p id=\"caption-attachment-4066\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">When Global Indians meet: Gitanjali Rao with 3M&#8217;s chief science advocate Jayshree Seth in 2018<\/p><\/div>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Marvel\u2019s hero project<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gitanjali was featured in the web series\u00a0<\/span><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Marvel\u2019s Hero Project<\/span><\/i><\/b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">as<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Genius Gitanjali<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for her valuable contributions to society.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h5><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think that being a scientist is like being a superhero, because superheroes save people, and want to do what is best for their society \u2013 scientists do the same exact thing,\u201d she earlier told Google.<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/art-culture\/avatika-vandanapu\/\">Avantika Vandanapu shining in Hollywood<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cI know a lot of people say that kids are the future, but I want to spread the message that we are here now, and we can make a difference.\u201d &#8211; 11-year-old Gitanjali Rao in 2017\u00a0 Meet\u00a0Indian American\u00a0teen scientist\u00a0and\u00a0TIME\u2019s First Kid of the Year, Gitanjali Rao. She\u00a0is wise, confident, knowledgeable, self-assured and loves reading\u00a0Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u2019s\u00a0websites. A chat with her is refreshing:\u00a0Lucid thoughts flow almost as if scripted. It\u2019s hard to fathom how a 4 foot something girl with sparkling eyes oozes such clarity. Picture\u00a0a pre-teen\u00a0walking\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0Denver\u00a0Water Treatment plant with a lab coat over gummies, and\u00a0holding\u00a0forte among science professionals.\u00a0 Gitanjali [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":55,"featured_media":5658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","story-category":[215,2407],"story-tag":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Gitanjali Rao | Inventor of Tethys | TIME\u2019s First Kid | TEDx speaker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover Gitanjali Rao, the young inventor of Tethys, TIME&#039;s first Kid of the Year, and an inspiring TEDx speaker. More about her innovations.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gitanjali Rao | Inventor of Tethys | TIME\u2019s First Kid | TEDx speaker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover Gitanjali Rao, the young inventor of Tethys, TIME&#039;s first Kid of the Year, and an inspiring TEDx speaker. More about her innovations.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Global Indian Youth\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-27T06:01:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2021-07-21-at-17.36.33-2.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"536\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/\",\"name\":\"Gitanjali Rao | Inventor of Tethys | TIME\u2019s First Kid | TEDx speaker\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2021-07-21-at-17.36.33-2.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-12-02T10:23:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-27T06:01:03+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover Gitanjali Rao, the young inventor of Tethys, TIME's first Kid of the Year, and an inspiring TEDx speaker. More about her innovations.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2021-07-21-at-17.36.33-2.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2021-07-21-at-17.36.33-2.jpeg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":536,\"caption\":\"Meet Indian American teen scientist and TIME\u2019s First Kid of the Year. At the age of 15, Gitanjali Rao she has 11 innovations to her name.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Stories\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Scientist, innovator, TEDx speaker, trainee pilot \u2013 how teenage prodigy Gitanjali Rao is raising the bar\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/\",\"name\":\"Global Indian Youth\",\"description\":\"A hero\u2019s journey\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Gitanjali Rao | Inventor of Tethys | TIME\u2019s First Kid | TEDx speaker","description":"Discover Gitanjali Rao, the young inventor of Tethys, TIME's first Kid of the Year, and an inspiring TEDx speaker. More about her innovations.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Gitanjali Rao | Inventor of Tethys | TIME\u2019s First Kid | TEDx speaker","og_description":"Discover Gitanjali Rao, the young inventor of Tethys, TIME's first Kid of the Year, and an inspiring TEDx speaker. More about her innovations.","og_url":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/","og_site_name":"Global Indian Youth","article_modified_time":"2025-09-27T06:01:03+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":536,"url":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2021-07-21-at-17.36.33-2.jpeg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/","url":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/","name":"Gitanjali Rao | Inventor of Tethys | TIME\u2019s First Kid | TEDx speaker","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2021-07-21-at-17.36.33-2.jpeg","datePublished":"2021-12-02T10:23:07+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-27T06:01:03+00:00","description":"Discover Gitanjali Rao, the young inventor of Tethys, TIME's first Kid of the Year, and an inspiring TEDx speaker. More about her innovations.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2021-07-21-at-17.36.33-2.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2021-07-21-at-17.36.33-2.jpeg","width":1024,"height":536,"caption":"Meet Indian American teen scientist and TIME\u2019s First Kid of the Year. At the age of 15, Gitanjali Rao she has 11 innovations to her name."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/cover-story\/15-year-old-gitanjali-rao-young-scientist\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Stories","item":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/story\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Scientist, innovator, TEDx speaker, trainee pilot \u2013 how teenage prodigy Gitanjali Rao is raising the bar"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/#website","url":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/","name":"Global Indian Youth","description":"A hero\u2019s journey","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story\/7732"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/55"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7732"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story\/7732\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43841,"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story\/7732\/revisions\/43841"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"story-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story-category?post=7732"},{"taxonomy":"story-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.globalindian.com\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story-tag?post=7732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}