At just 11 years old, Indian-American Myra Saxena has gained national recognition for her innovative research in pediatric Type 2 diabetes, blending technology and health science.
At an age when most children are just beginning to explore their academic interests, 11-year-old Indian-American Myra Saxena has already made a name for herself as an award-winning scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. Her independent research into pediatric Type 2 diabetes has garnered attention at both state and national competitions.
Saxena, a seventh-grader at Ellen Fletcher Middle School in Palo Alto, California, has been nominated for the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC), a prestigious national STEM competition for middle school students organized by the Society for Science. This nomination follows an exceptional year for Saxena, whose work focuses on the early detection and prevention of pediatric Type 2 diabetes through the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and wearable technology.
Her groundbreaking research earned her the esteemed Isabelle Stone Grand Prize at the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship, making her the only middle school student from the Palo Alto Unified School District to receive this honor. Additionally, she secured a first-place category award and a special award from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) for her innovative work involving AI and machine learning.
At the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, Saxena showcased her pediatric Type 2 diabetes innovation, where she won second place. She also achieved third place in the Medicine and Physiology category at the California Science and Engineering Fair, competing against older seventh and eighth-grade students from across the state.
Her research has reached an international audience as well. A paper authored by Saxena, titled “A Novel Approach for Early Detection of Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes using Low-cost Blood Biomarkers,” was accepted for presentation at the 2026 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC), an international gathering of researchers, engineers, and medical professionals.
The pursuit of solutions to diabetes is deeply personal for Saxena. She lost her grandfather to the disease, an experience that inspired her to explore technological solutions for early risk identification and healthier outcomes for children.
Saxena’s journey as an innovator began several years ago. She started learning to code at the age of 8 and, as a fifth-grader, developed “Healthy Littles powered by SmartGenes,” an app and wearable technology project designed to help identify and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes in children. This project propelled her onto the national stage, leading her to the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, where she won second place and became the only student from her school district selected to compete nationally. Her innovation also earned first place in the World Series of Innovation Challenge.
Despite her growing list of accolades, Saxena maintains a straightforward philosophy: “Never give up, even if people tell you that you can’t do it or you’re too young. It’s never too late or too early to start.”
Born in Virginia, Saxena spent her early childhood in Ashburn, Loudoun County, before relocating to California with her parents and younger sister at the age of 8. Her interests extend beyond science and technology; she is also a youth entrepreneur, TEDxYouth speaker, and competitive ballet dancer.
At an even younger age, Saxena began exploring entrepreneurship. In 2021, she founded Sparklez, a nonprofit initiative aimed at supporting children in underserved communities. The idea for Sparklez was partly inspired by her mother, Sweta Sinha, who visited a school for blind girls in India. The videos her mother brought home prompted Saxena to think about how she could help other children.
Turning to one of her favorite hobbies—making jewelry—Saxena began creating and selling handmade charm jewelry at children’s business fairs, farmers markets, and holiday events, using the proceeds to support projects benefiting children in both the United States and India. “I started Sparklez, a non-profit organization, in 2021 to support and empower kids in need in underprivileged communities,” Saxena explains. “My vision is to expand this platform to support kids in need by empowering them through healthy living and quality education. It’s a platform built by Kids for Kids.”
In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Saxena has served as a youth ambassador for children’s health and kindness initiatives. However, it is her rapid progression in science—from learning to code at 8 to building a health technology invention, competing nationally, and conducting biomedical research—that distinguishes her emerging journey.
As she enters seventh grade, Saxena continues to build on her research, which has already taken her from a middle school classroom in Palo Alto to statewide competitions, the national invention stage, and an international biomedical engineering conference—all before her 12th birthday. Her remarkable achievements serve as an inspiration to young innovators everywhere, showcasing the potential of combining technology with a passion for health.
According to The American Bazaar, Myra Saxena represents the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs, proving that age is no barrier to making a significant impact in the world.