Gitanjali Rao, a rising junior at MIT majoring in biological engineering, has been honored as the inaugural recipient of the Stephen Hawking Junior Medal for Science Communication. This accolade, awarded by the Starmus Festival, introduces a fresh category to the esteemed award established by the late theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author Stephen Hawking in collaboration with the Starmus Festival.
“I dedicate considerable time in laboratories,” Rao states, emphasizing her Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program project at the Langer Lab. In addition to her eagerness to investigate, she possesses a fervor for aiding others in grasping the intricacies of laboratory work. “We seldom address the significance of science communication,” she observes. “Stephen Hawking excelled in that.”
Rao is the creator of Epione, a device designed for the early detection of prescription opioid dependency, and Kindly, an AI-driven anti-cyberbullying platform utilizing natural language processing. Kindly has now been recognized as a “Digital Public Good” by the United Nations Children’s Fund and is available globally. These initiatives, among others, caught the attention of the Starmus team.
The award ceremony took place last April at the Kennedy Center in Washington, where Rao delivered a speech and interacted with renowned scientists, artists, and musicians. “It was unforgettable,” she remarks. “I met Brian May from Queen — he’s a physicist.” Rao is also a talented musician herself — she plays bass guitar and piano, and she has been learning to DJ at MIT. “Starmus” combines the concepts of “stars” and “music.”
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Rao previously attended a STEM-oriented school before enrolling at MIT. Looking towards the future, she is open to pursuing graduate studies and dreams of establishing a biotech startup when the right concept arises.
The medal is accompanied by an internship opportunity that Rao hopes to leverage for practical experience in the pharmaceutical sector. She has already secured a summer internship at Moderna and is contemplating spending her Independent Activities Period abroad. “Hopefully, I’ll gain clarity in the coming months.”