Teen Scientist and Inventor Named First-Ever 'Time' Kid of the YearThe 15-year-old wunderkind was interviewed by Angelina Jolie about her efforts to combat everything from contaminated water to cyberbullying.

ByKenny Herzog

Rachel Murray | Getty Images

One year ago,Timemagazine anointedthen-16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg its "Person of the Year." Twelve months later, the publication has doubled down on elevating accomplished youths by partnering with its sister platform,Time for Kids, and Nickelodeon to designate its first-ever Kid of the Year.

The honor goes to 15-year-old scientist and inventor (what have you done lately?)Gitanjali Rao, who aims to harness tech and innovation to confront crises including contaminated drinking water, opiod addiction, cyberbullying and persistent gender and racial inequality. In fact, she's been actively applying her skills toward those goals since pre-adolescence,having won 3M and Discovery Education'sYoung Scientist Challenge when she was just 11.

Related:This 17-Year-Old Recovered From Coronavirus, and Then Started COVID Candies to Help Fight It

女演员/活动家安吉丽娜·朱莉的封面byline, interviewing Rao about her preternatural accomplishments and lofty ambitions. As Rao tells Jolie, "Our generation is facing so many problems that we've never seen before. But then at the same time we're facing old problems that still exist. Like, we're sitting here in the middle of a new global pandemic, and we're also like still facing human-rights issues. There are problems that we did not create but that we now have to solve."

As Rao, Thunberg and the rest of their teenage cohort continue to demonstrate, they might just be the ones to do it.

Wavy Line
Kenny Herzog

Entrepreneur Staff

Digital Content Director

Kenny Herzog is currently Digital Content Director at Entrepreneur Media. Previously, he has served as Editor in Chief or Managing Editor for several online and print publications, and contributed his byline to outlets including Rolling Stone, New York Magazine/Vulture, Esquire, The Ringer, Men's Health, TimeOut New York, A.V. Club, Men's Journal, Mic, Mel, Nylon and many more.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Netflix is Hiring an AI-Focused Role—and the Starting Salary is up to $900,000

The streaming giant is looking for a leader in its machine learning department.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指狗万官方望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Business News

Kevin O'Leary Slams Anheuser-Busch CEO's Listening Tour, Says It Won't Stop Bud Light Backlash for One Huge Reason

Anheuser-Busch U.S. CEO Brendan Whitworth announced plans to hear consumers out this summer.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Business News

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's Family 'Stranded' at Boston Airport During 9-Hour Delay: 'We Made Quite a Home Here'

The actors spent $600 on pillows and blankets while waiting for their flight.