Anthony Lee Zhang’s Stock of Human Knowledge
"Being an academic requires the courage to stand behind good ideas despite opposition," says Zhang, who is on our list of the top 30 thinkers under 30.
Alexis Toliver’s Advocacy for the Voiceless
"I honestly think that it will take a person with autism to find the 'cure' to autism, so that the world understands that autism doesn't need to be cured," Toliver says.
Boyan Slat’s Plan to Clean Earth’s Oceans
When asked whether he feels people doubt him more because he's young, Slat says, "Yes, but I never felt youth to be a disadvantage."
Erin Schrode’s Plan to Run for Congress
"We have a gaping hole, a desperate need for young women in government," says Schrode, who is on this year's list of the top 30 thinkers under 30.
Jesse Reising’s Perseverance in the Face of Adversity
"Education can help harness veterans' patriotic energy in ways that improve our nation," says Reising, who is on our list of the top 30 thinkers under 30.
Sam Pressler’s Cathartic Comedy
Pressler founded the Armed Services Arts Partnership, a non-profit that provides free arts programming for veterans and their families to express their experiences.
Conny Caruso’s Love for Her Homeboys and Homegirls
Besides raising money, organizing events, and getting Hollywood bigwigs involved with Homeboy Industries, Caruso spends hours each week with reformed ex-convicts.
Alexander Peysakhovich’s Theory on Artificial Intelligence
Peysakhovich's interdisciplinary work is driven by his deep interest in understanding decision-making—both human and machine.
Estella Pyfrom’s Drive for Brilliant Ideas
Pyfrom used her retirement money to buy and customize a bus and outfit it with computers, creating a mobile classroom that she called Estella's Brilliant Bus.
Jaime Yrastorza’s Surgical Philanthropy
In his work for the non-profit Uplift Internationale, Yrastorza has personally done about 100 facial surgeries, many on preschoolers.