When it comes to unparalleled innovation, some young minds are not just keeping up; they’re leading the charge. Among many bright young talents, a few standout, quietly driving change and inspiring breakthroughs. This year, Crimson Education‘s 18 Under 18 list recognizes such remarkable young achievers who are tackling challenges, inventing solutions, and pushing boundaries in ways that leave us in awe.
Let’s meet the incredible winners on Crimson Education 2024’s 18 Under 18 list:
Fariza Ginulla, Kamila Kuatova, Nargiza Nurmukhan, Indira Duisembayeva, and Umay Saiyn from Kazakhstan developed ResQ, an IoT system to prevent workplace accidents and fires, motivated by the Kostenko mine disaster. Their award-winning innovation is set to transform safety standards in Kazakhstan.
Brooklynn Thatcher from the United States is a gifted classical violinist, accepted as a student by renowned Professor Burkhard Godhoff at just seven years old. She has earned numerous accolades, including first place in the American Protégé Competition, and is set to debut at Carnegie Hall at age 16.
Saras Agrawal and Rateb Ajamieh from Canada are tackling cardiovascular disease with their innovation, HeartHear. This ear-wearable device predicts heart conditions with the potential to save over 1.3 million lives in North America.
Aaron Wei from Australia is giving young people a louder voice in policy and social action through his youth forums and community festivals. Aaron’s efforts have connected over 150 youth from 40 schools, inspiring projects like the Youth Climate Council and sparking transformative grassroots changes.
Elif Gulce Batgi from Turkey founded Lignopure, a project that uses rice husks to
remove 90% of pollutants from Turkish waters, providing clean water access to thousands.
Betania Adane from the United States is reshaping early cancer detection with her AI-based research on ovarian cancer biomarkers. Recognized as a Top 5 research initiative, Betania’s work provides low-cost, non-invasive alternatives to current diagnostic methods.
Jay Shankarpure from India is democratizing access to venture capital through his initiative LocalHost, helping young innovators secure funding. In just 11 months, he’s raised $150k and helped startups secure millions in additional funding.
Alexandra Sanchez from Peru is turning e-waste into affordable prosthetics with her initiative Re.Prosthesis. She’s addressing both environmental and healthcare challenges, offering sustainable prosthetic solutions to underserved communities.
Rassul Abuov and Aissultan Baktygali from Kazakhstan are reshaping education through virtual reality (VR) technology, digitizing learning spaces for 20,000 students, and securing partnerships with major corporations, redefining the educational experience.
Elijah Im from the United States is the creator of a vertical farming system that uses artificial moonlight to boost crop yields while reducing costs. With a patented design, her innovation aims to tackle food security challenges posed by climate change.
Arda Bora Karahan from Turkey is tackling microplastic pollution with his novel device, PlastiScan. Through his educational workshops and successful prototype, Arda is raising awareness about water pollution and working toward cleaner, safer water for all.
Yuri Kang from Kazakhstan is making groundbreaking advances in brain cancer treatment with her research on chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) to target glioblastoma. Her work has the potential to set new standards in cancer treatment, offering hope to patients worldwide.
Ellen Li from the United States is empowering young women to embrace the sport of fencing. Through teaching at her all-girls school and establishing programs in public schools, she is breaking down gender barriers in fencing.
Justin Peng from Canada is improving accessibility for those with visual and hearing impairments through his flagship initiative, NavAbility Technologies. Justin’s devices help the visually impaired navigate safely, while his other innovations focus on removing barriers to inclusivity for all.
Xiyun Hu from China is leading the fight against light pollution with her Starry Night Initiative. Through awareness campaigns and partnerships with environmental organizations, Xiyun is influencing policy and improving lighting infrastructure across the globe.
Ronith Lahoti from India is mobilizing communities for environmental conservation through his Plastic Warriors initiative. His project, which uses waste plastic to build roads, has already made an impact in underprivileged areas by educating and creating eco-friendly solutions for local communities.
Xinying Sui from Poland is empowering access to programming for non-English speakers through her app DeCode, making coding education more accessible and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to thrive in the digital world.
Aziz Akturin from Kazakhstan is improving agricultural practices through AquaSync, a smart irrigation system that optimizes water usage. Aziz’s work is helping farmers conserve resources while promoting sustainable practices.
A huge congratulations to the Crimson 18u18 winners, whose remarkable achievements are a beacon of inspiration for us all. Explore more about our winners and the Crimson 18u18 initiative here.
