Gitanjali Rao has achieved what many of us would not have been able to in our entire lifetime. Recently, she became the first Kid of the Year to be featured on the Time magazine cover. However, despite being so young, hers wasn’t an overnight success either. Curiosity got the best of her and add to that, her intelligence and hard work that she reached where she is today at 15 years of age.
Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Gitanjali Rao |
| Age at Award | 15 years old (in 2020) |
| Birth Year | 2005 |
| Birthplace | Ohio, USA |
| Residence | Lone Tree, Colorado, USA |
| Nationality | Indian-American |
| Education | Sophomore at STEM School Highlands Ranch, Colorado (as of 2020) |
| Parents | Bharathi and Ram Rao |
| Achievements | TIME Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year (2020), Forbes 30 Under 30 (2019), Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge Winner (2017) |
| Inventions | Tethys (lead detection device), Kindly (AI-based cyberbullying detection app), Epione (opioid addiction diagnostic tool) |
| Interests | Indian classical dancing, classical music, baking, playing the piano, STEM advocacy |
| Notable Recognition | Featured on TIME Magazine cover (Dec. 14, 2020), interviewed by Angelina Jolie |
| Fields of Interest | Genetics, epidemiology, technology, artificial intelligence |
| Workshops | Conducts global innovation workshops for K-12 students |
| TEDx Talks | Three-time TEDx speaker |
An Inherent Streak of Brilliance
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Gitanjali Rao, unlike most children, aimed to make a social impact through science and technology starting at age seven or eight.
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By second or third grade, she was driven to create social change, showcasing an extraordinary vision for her age.
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At 10, she expressed her ambition to research carbon nanotube sensor technology at the Denver Water Quality Research Lab.
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Her parents, Bharathi and Ram Rao, with strong academic backgrounds, fully supported her ambitious goal despite its challenges for a young girl.
Gitanjali’s First Break
- Tethys Development: By seventh grade, Gitanjali created Tethys, a carbon nanotube-based device to detect lead in water, identifying safe, slightly contaminated, or critical levels, aiding Flint, Michigan residents during their lead crisis.
- Kindly App: She developed Kindly, an AI-powered app to detect early signs of cyberbullying, showcasing her commitment to tackling social issues through technology.
- Epione Solution: Gitanjali invented Epione, a portable device using human genetics to help physicians identify early prescription drug addiction, addressing a growing public health concern.
- STEM Outreach: Collaborating with groups like Shanghai International Youth Science and Technology and the Royal Academy of Engineering, she has engaged over 28,000 students worldwide through workshops and weekly sessions.
- Diverse Interests: Beyond science, Gitanjali excels in Indian classical dancing, singing, piano, swimming, and fencing, balancing her innovations with creative pursuits.
- Relatable Teen Life: In a TIME interview with Angelina Jolie, she shared spending quarantine baking excessively and enjoying typical 15-year-old activities, proving she’s not all work and no play.
Awards and Honours
- Winner of America’s top young scientist award
- Listed on Forbes 30 under 30 (2019)
- First Kid of the Year on the Time magazine cover
- 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge
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