Gitanjali Rao is redefining what it means to be a young scientist in America. At an age when most kids were playing video games, she was developing carbon nanotube sensors to address the Flint water crisis. Named TIME's first-ever Kid of the Year at just 15, she has since become a global STEM ambassador, author, and innovator studying Biological Engineering at MIT.
Early Life and Education
Gitanjali Rao was born on November 19, 2005, in Lone Tree, Colorado. She is of Indian descent and grew up with a passion for science, Indian classical dance, and classical music. Troubled by reports of the Flint, Michigan water crisis beginning in 2014, she developed a faster, more affordable method of detecting lead contamination in water — her first major invention. As of 2025–2026, she is studying Biological Engineering at MIT.
Inventions and Innovations
At age 11, Rao invented Tethys — a portable carbon nanotube device detecting lead in drinking water faster and more cheaply than existing methods — winning the 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge and a $25,000 prize. She also developed Kindly, an AI app using NLP to detect cyberbullying in real time, and Epione, a diagnostic device for early opioid use disorder detection. Each invention targeted a specific social crisis, making her work remarkable for its both technical sophistication and humanitarian focus.
Recognition and Awards
Rao has been recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30, named a UNICEF Young Champion, and honored by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. In December 2020, TIME named her the inaugural Kid of the Year — placing her on the cover of TIME in conversation with Angelina Jolie. She won a $25,000 Stephen Hawking Fellowship in 2025 and is a popular keynote speaker at universities and UN events.
Net Worth
Gitanjali Rao's estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $500 thousand, from prize money, speaking engagement fees, book royalties, and STEM organization partnerships.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Gitanjali Rao
- Date of Birth: November 19, 2005
- Age (2026): 20 years old
- Birthplace: Lone Tree, Colorado, USA
- Nationality: American
- Education: MIT – Biological Engineering (current)
- Profession: Inventor, Scientist, Author, STEM Advocate
- Net Worth (2026): ~$500 Thousand
