Innovative Minds: Raji Doshi

Talcott Mountain Academy | 7th grade | 12 years old

Engineering a Novel Durable Algae-Aragonite Alkalinity System to Reduce CO2-Driven Ocean Acidification

About the Idea

Meet Raji. Raji created an innovative coastal solution that uses algae and natural calcium buffers to lower ocean acidity and boost marine health

Why did you enter the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

I entered the 3M Young Scientist Challenge because I wanted to do something real with my research. Studying ocean acidification in a classroom is one thing, but this competition gave me a reason to go further, to actually design an experiment, collect real data, and test whether my idea could hold up under scrutiny. I also entered because climate change feels urgent to me in a way that is hard to ignore. The oceans are absorbing carbon at a rate that is changing their chemistry, and that affects billions of people. I wanted to work on something that mattered, not just something that would earn a grade. The 3M Young Scientist Challenge specifically appealed to me because it is not just about having a good idea. It rewards students who communicate science clearly and think about real-world impact. That is exactly what I was trying to do with this project.

What is your favorite invention of the last 100 years, and why?

My favorite invention of the last 100 years is the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), such as those developed by organizations like Saildrone and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. These AUVs (​like Saildrone's carbon-neutral ocean drones) allow scientists to collect real-time data on ocean chemistry, pH levels, and CO₂ absorption in remote and challenging environments—critical for understanding and addressing ocean acidification. Their ability to operate autonomously for months at a time makes them game-changers for monitoring the health of our oceans.

In 15 years I hope to be...

In 15 years, I hope to be a NASA aerospace engineer designing systems that monitor ocean health and climate change from space. My research taught me that the most significant climate breakthroughs happen when different fields work together, and I want to build the tools that make that possible.