Indian-American student Raji Doshi, 13, of Farmington, Connecticut, celebrates winning the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, earning the title of America's Top Young Scientist and a $25,000 grand prize for her innovation to combat ocean acidification. Photo courtesy of 3M
Indian-Origin Girls Sweep Top Three Honors
By Geeta Goindi
October 14, 2026 – Indian-American student Raji Doshi, 13, of Farmington, Connecticut, has been named America’s Top Young Scientist, winning the prestigious 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge and a $25,000 grand prize for developing an innovative system to combat ocean acidification, a growing threat to marine ecosystems.
In a remarkable achievement, Indian-American girls swept the top three honors in the national competition, with Aaisha Asif of Sarasota, Florida, and Sharvi Mahajan of San Diego, California, joining Raji among the winners.
The eagerly awaited finals, held October 12-13 at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, brought together ten of the nation’s brightest young minds, ages 11 to 14, who competed in live scientific challenges and presented their inventions before a panel of judges.
Five of the ten finalists were girls of Indian descent, making their strong showing particularly noteworthy. The other two, Arika Kundu of Shorewood, Minnesota, and Naboshree Santra of Oviedo, Florida, also developed projects addressing pressing environmental and agricultural concerns.
For Raji, an eighth-grade student at Stanford Online High School, the national recognition marks a major milestone in a journey inspired by her concern for the health of the world’s oceans.
Her winning invention, ALKACORE, combines algae with aragonite, a naturally occurring form of calcium carbonate found in seashells and marine environments, to help counter the harmful effects of excess carbon dioxide in seawater.
As oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, their chemistry changes, increasing acidity and threatening marine organisms, particularly those that depend on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons.
Raji’s approach harnesses the ability of algae to absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, while aragonite helps buffer changes in water chemistry.
Through laboratory experiments and chemical analysis, she demonstrated that the combination could promote algae growth, enhance carbon dioxide removal and substantially reduce dissolved carbon dioxide in seawater.
She also developed a computational model to determine the optimal amount of aragonite needed, bringing her research closer to potential applications in coastal communities.
Behind the sophisticated science lies a simple, deeply personal inspiration: Raji’s love of seashells.
Her 3M mentor, Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist at the company, recalled how the teenager’s concern for marine life helped shape her invention.
“She loves collecting seashells and was distressed that ocean acidification is starting to damage the seashells and the creatures that live inside them,” Isabelle said.
That concern inspired Raji to explore how naturally occurring materials could help protect fragile marine habitats.
Her determination to take science beyond the classroom was evident even before she reached the finals.
“I entered the 3M Young Scientist Challenge because I wanted to do something real with my research,” she said in her finalist profile.
Studying ocean acidification was only the beginning. Raji wanted to design experiments, collect data and determine whether her ideas could withstand scientific scrutiny.
“I wanted to work on something that mattered, not just something that would earn a grade,” she said.
Her ambitions extend beyond the competition. Raji hopes to become a NASA aerospace engineer, developing systems that monitor ocean health and climate change from space.
Indian-American Girls Claim Top Three Honors
Raji’s victory was accompanied by the success of two fellow Indian-American students whose inventions address important concerns in environmental protection and public safety.
Aaisha Asif, a seventh-grade student at Pine View School in Sarasota, Florida, developed an eco-friendly adhesive inspired by the natural proteins mussels use to cling to wet surfaces.
Her research explores alternatives to conventional glues that can release volatile organic compounds, contributing to air pollution and potential health risks. By experimenting with bio-based materials, Aaisha hopes to create a safer, more sustainable product.
Sharvi Mahajan, a ninth-grade student at Westview High School in San Diego, California, created NeuroDrive Alert, an advanced system designed to monitor fatigue and predict microsleep episodes, with potential applications in road safety and other high-risk environments.
Fascinated by neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Sharvi aspires to become a computational neuroscientist or establish a technology startup combining her interests in the human brain and machine learning.
The two other Indian-American finalists also demonstrated impressive ingenuity.
Arika Kundu developed LIGNEX, a method using agricultural waste, including peanut shells, to help remove pesticide residues from produce.
Naboshree Santra created biodegradable soil-shade balls designed to reduce evaporation and help agricultural soil retain moisture, offering a promising approach to water conservation.
Together, the five students exemplify the talent and creativity of a new generation eager to apply science to problems affecting communities around the world.
The other five national finalists were Ahmed Abdelsalam, Aiden Jo, Roy Kim, Millie Pradawong and Abigail Stein.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Scientists
Organized by 3M and Discovery Education, the Young Scientist Challenge is now in its 19th year, inspiring middle school students across America to explore science, think creatively and develop innovative solutions.
Each finalist was paired with a 3M scientist during a summer mentorship program, receiving guidance to refine an original idea and develop a working prototype.
“When students have the support to follow their curiosity, their ideas can grow into real-world innovation,” said Brian Shaw, chief executive officer of Discovery Education. “We applaud Raji and every Young Scientist for the dedication and imagination they bring to this challenge, and we’re grateful to 3M for helping us make hands-on scientific inquiry a thrill to watch.”
Participants were evaluated on their scientific knowledge, creativity, ingenuity, communication skills and application of STEM principles.
“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge highlights the incredible potential of young people to tackle real-world challenges through science,” said William Brown, 3M chairman and CEO. “The talent and creativity displayed by this year’s finalists was exceptional, and we congratulate Raji on earning the title of America’s Top Young Scientist.”
The competition has helped launch the careers of promising researchers who have gone on to file patents, deliver TED Talks, establish nonprofit organizations and earn recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
For Raji, the title of America’s Top Young Scientist represents more than a personal triumph. Her achievement demonstrates how a young student’s curiosity about the natural world can inspire research with the potential to help protect it.
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