
On our radar
These young scientists are making waves in their own ways. Keep an eye on them—great things are ahead
Megha Satyanarayana is chief special projects editor at Scientific American. She is a former scientist who has worked at several news outlets, including the Detroit Free Press and STAT. She was a Knight-Wallace Fellow, a cohort member of Poynter’s Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media and a Maynard 200 Fellow.

On our radar
These young scientists are making waves in their own ways. Keep an eye on them—great things are ahead

Timnit Gebru
On safeguarding independent research in the age of big tech

Steven Chavez
Making catalysts used in industrial processes hardier and more effective

Kaiyi Jiang
Creating AI platforms to discover new therapeutics

Erini Lambrides
Characterizing the “Little Red Dots” to decipher the beginnings of galaxies

Robert Langer
The M.I.T. professor and expert on innovation on why science is worth celebrating

Gavin Newsom
The governor of California, where science and technology are large parts of the economy, on finding the balance in innovation between taking risks and being reckless

2025 Chemistry Nobel Goes to Molecular Sponges That Purify Water, Store Energy and Clean Up the Environment
Three scientists, including one from the U.S., share the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing “metal-organic frameworks,” versatile molecular cages that can trap contaminants, store energy and possibly deliver drugs to specific areas of the body

Public Health Experts Slam RFK, Jr., after Senate Hearing
On Thursday Senators grilled Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., about vaccines and turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health experts responded to Kennedy’s claims on social media in disbelief and anger

More Teens Are Getting Vaccines
Bucking national trends in childhood vaccination rates, more teens are getting recommended shots, including for measles and whooping cough

Science Isn’t about Domination. It’s about Democracy
Science is key to diplomacy, unity and democracy. What the Trump administration is trying to do to it will weaken the U.S.

Dear Breakthrough Prize Billionaires: Fund the Science You’re Watching Trump Destroy
The billionaires behind Facebook and Google can do more than hand out glitzy awards for science. They should fund the research the Trump administration has canned

Utah’s Decision to Ban Fluoride Is a Bad Move for Kids
Becoming the first state to ban fluoride is going to cost Utah, both financially and dentally

Making America Ableist Again
By going after Social Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Education, Donald Trump is signaling his belief that having “good genes” means not having a disability

Walking Shouldn’t Be So Dangerous in the U.S.
About 20 people die every day in the U.S. after being hit by a car. To make walking safer, we need a big cultural shift in how we view pedestrian safety

Should Kids Do Chores?
They may tell us they hate chores, but kids who help around the house report feeling accomplished and competent, not to mention happy

Why Is the Trump Administration Politicizing Weather?
Climate change is real. Dismantling our federal weather agency won’t change that

How Plastics in the Brain Connect to the Wider Debate over Petroleum
Many people are concerned about microplastics reaching our brain—but few realize how this connects with petroleum production and the climate crisis

The Measles Outbreak in Texas Is Why Vaccines Matter
Opting against vaccines may uphold ideas of personal freedom, but it has doomed the county at the center of the Texas measles outbreak

Why Is the Trump Administration Villainizing Mental Health Meds for Kids?
A federal commission to examine U.S. chronic disease could undercut real treatment for kids with depression, ADHD and other mental health challenges

Understanding Your Introverted Kid’s Needs Will Help Them Succeed
There is nothing wrong with quieter, introverted kids. Recognizing what makes them tick can help them confidently navigate an extroverted world

Why Aren’t We Losing Our Minds over the Plastic in Our Brains?
New research on microplastics in brains reminds us that while scientists compile safety data, our leaders should still act

The U.S. Is Not Ready for Bird Flu in Humans
Bird flu is infecting more people than we think. We need to stop it now before a new pandemic begins

An Eclipse Is a Moment of Solitude, Even When You’re in a Crowd
Even among hundreds of people, experiencing an eclipse is a joyous solitude