ST. PAUL, Minn. — Raji Doshi, a 13-year-old student from Farmington, Connecticut, has been named America’s Top Young Scientist after developing an innovative system designed to combat ocean acidification, earning the top prize in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
Doshi, an eighth grader at Stanford Online High School, received a $25,000 cash prize for creating an algae-and-aragonite system that uses natural materials to increase seawater alkalinity and reduce carbon dioxide levels.
The competition, organized by 3M and Discovery Education, brought together 10 young scientists from across the country for its final round at 3M’s global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 12 and 13.
Doshi’s award-winning project, titled Engineering a Novel Durable Algae-Aragonite Alkalinity System to Reduce CO2-Driven Ocean Acidification, explores how cultivating macroalgae alongside natural calcium carbonate minerals could offer a sustainable, low-cost solution to coastal ocean acidification.
Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide into seawater, threatens marine ecosystems, particularly shellfish and other organisms that depend on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons.
Through her research, Doshi demonstrated that aragonite, a naturally occurring form of calcium carbonate, could help increase algae growth while reducing dissolved carbon dioxide. She also developed a computational model to determine an optimal amount of aragonite for the system.
Her invention, called ALKACORE, was inspired by her interest in collecting seashells and her concern about the effects of ocean acidification on marine life.
“Raji’s project reminds us that when you’re passionate about something, you can use that interest to change the world,” said Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist at 3M who mentored Doshi during the competition.
“She loves collecting seashells and was distressed that ocean acidification is starting to damage the seashells and the creatures that live inside them. It was that passion that led her to create ALKACORE to address the ocean acidification issue.”
As part of the competition, each finalist worked with a 3M scientist over the summer to transform an initial idea into a working prototype. Students were evaluated on scientific knowledge, creativity, communication skills, ingenuity and their ability to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics to real-world problems.
“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge highlights the incredible potential of young people to tackle real-world challenges through science,” said William Brown, chairman and CEO of 3M. “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.”
Several other students of Indian origin were among this year’s recognized competitors, including Aaisha Asif of Sarasota, Florida, and Sharvi Mahajan of San Diego, California, who finished second and third, respectively. Both received $1,000 prizes.
The competition also featured Ahmed Abdelsalam, a seventh grader at Darby Vassall Upper School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who was among the 10 national finalists.
Other finalists included Aiden Jo of Houston, Texas; Roy Kim of Beaverton, Oregon; Arika Kundu of Shorewood, Minnesota; Millie Pradawong of Fairfax, Virginia; Naboshree Santra of Oviedo, Florida; and Abigail Stein of Nashville, Tennessee.
Now in its 19th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge encourages middle school students to develop innovative scientific solutions to everyday problems. Previous winners have gone on to file patents, establish nonprofit organizations, deliver TED Talks and earn recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
The competition is part of the Young Scientist Lab educational initiative, a collaboration between 3M and Discovery Education that provides free science and technology resources to students, educators and families nationwide.
