In 2020, Gitanjali Rao became the first recipient of TIME’s Kid of the Year honor, a recognition created to celebrate exceptional young leaders making a positive impact on the world. Selected from more than 5,000 nominees across the United States, Rao was recognized for combining science, technology, and entrepreneurship to address real-world challenges. Her inventions focused on issues such as lead contamination in drinking water, cyberbullying, and opioid addiction. The achievement brought international attention to youth-led innovation and demonstrated that age is no barrier to meaningful problem-solving. Rao’s recognition inspired young people worldwide to pursue STEM and social impact.
