Raji Doshi Wins 3M Young Scientist Challenge
On 14 October 2026, 13-year-old Indian-American student Raji Doshi from Farmington, Connecticut, was named America’s Top Young Scientist after winning the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge. She received a prize of $25,000 for developing ALKACORE, an innovative system designed to address ocean acidification using macroalgae and aragonite.
Doshi is an eighth-grade student at Stanford Online High School. Her project highlights how scientific innovation and computational modelling can contribute to addressing environmental challenges, particularly the changing chemistry of oceans.
Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification refers to the long-term decline in ocean pH, primarily caused by the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) by seawater. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it reacts to form carbonic acid, which releases hydrogen ions and reduces the availability of carbonate ions.
Marine organisms, including corals and shell-forming species, require carbonate ions to build calcium carbonate structures. Increasing ocean acidity can make it more difficult for these organisms to form and maintain their shells and skeletons, potentially affecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Aragonite is a naturally occurring crystalline form of calcium carbonate. Its availability is important for several marine organisms that build calcium carbonate structures.
ALKACORE: An Innovative Approach
ALKACORE combines macroalgae cultivation with aragonite to modify seawater chemistry and address coastal acidification. Macroalgae absorb dissolved carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, while aragonite provides calcium carbonate.
Doshi developed a computational model to determine the optimal aragonite dosage for the system. The model is intended to guide the amount of aragonite required for the proposed approach.
The project explores a potentially sustainable and low-cost method for managing coastal water chemistry. However, its effectiveness and wider environmental impacts would require further scientific testing and field evaluation before large-scale implementation.
3M Young Scientist Challenge 2026
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a science competition organised by 3M in partnership with Discovery Education for students in grades 5–8. It encourages young students to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems through scientific research and experimentation.
The 2026 finals were held on 12 and 13 October at 3M’s global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States.
Aaisha Asif of Sarasota, Florida, secured second place, while Sharvi Mahajan of San Diego, California, finished third. Both received prizes of $1,000.
Significance of the Innovation
ALKACORE demonstrates the potential role of young innovators in developing solutions to climate-related challenges. Ocean acidification is closely linked to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and poses risks to coral reefs, shell-forming organisms and marine food webs.
The project also illustrates the application of computational modelling in environmental science. By estimating the appropriate dosage of a material, scientific models can help researchers design and evaluate potential interventions more systematically.
Raji Doshi: Important Facts for Exams
- Winner: Raji Doshi, an Indian-American student.
- Award: 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
- Prize money: $25,000.
- Project: ALKACORE.
- Main environmental issue: Ocean acidification.
- Materials used: Macroalgae and aragonite.
- Aragonite: A crystalline form of calcium carbonate.
- Ocean acidification: Mainly caused by the absorption of atmospheric CO₂ by seawater.
- Organisers: 3M and Discovery Education.
- Eligibility: Students in grades 5–8.
