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These researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs are making discoveries and inventing new solutions in every arena, from the subatomic to the stars. Daniel Marin dreams of an internet where a user’s identity can be verified without risking giving up any of their own information. His company, Nexus, uses a combination of cryptography, mathematics and engineering to prove you are you instead of a password or the name of your first grade teacher.
It relies on a multitude of computers connected to the Nexus network, which does the heavy computation behind the scenes. “We're building a marketplace for compute,” he says. So far, 15 companies and over 120,000 people are using Nexus’ software, and the company has raised $27 million at a recent $150 million valuation to keep building out its products.
Its product is currently free but the company aims to develop ways to monetize as it matures its technology. Marin, 24, is just one of the innovators on this year’s 30 Under 30 Science list. For more than a decade, Forbes has highlighted young scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs with the help of nominations from the public.
To be considered for this year’s list, all candidates had to be under the age of 30 as of December 31, 2024, and never before named to a 30 Under 30 North America, Europe or Asia list. The candidates were evaluated by a panel of judges featuring Sara Seager , professor of physics at MIT; Luna Yu , cofounder and CEO of Genecis; Christina Smolke , cofounder and CEO of Antheia; and Randy Glein , cofounder and partner of DFJ Growth. Marin isn’t the only listmaker pushing computer science to its limits.
There’s also Paul Liang , 29, who has laid down some of the theoretical foundations that enables AI models to understand and retrieve multimedia contact. Liz Izhikevich , 28, is using her research to change how industry identifies software performance faults and security threats. And Fiona Kolbinger , 29, is using AI to help surgeons plan their procedures and support decisions while surgery is happening.
Another area of research for these listmakers is in the development of new hardware and materials. For example, there’s Kent Zheng , 29, who is working on lithium-free batteries made from zinc and aluminum that are less toxic and more affordable. Meanwhile, Rachel Baker , 29, is developing processes using biomass from trees and plants to make sustainable industrial chemicals.
Then there’s Shucong Li , 29, who has developed a platform of responsive materials used to make soft robots for a variety of applications. Some of the listmakers this year have their eyes on the stars. For example, NASA Einstein Fellow Sylvia Biscoveanu , 29, studies gravitational waves to learn more about how our universe came to be.
Savannah Eisner , 29, is developing electronics that can survive in space and other harsh environments, like the surface of Venus. Meanwhile, Wyver, cofounded by Callie Lissinna , 27, has satellites in orbit looking down on Earth, providing insight to the chemistry happening on the surface for agriculture, mining and other applications. These are only a few of the incredible scientists and entrepreneurs on this years Forbes 30 Under 30 Science list.
Be sure to read up on all of them, plus all of the other 30 Under 30 2025 categories. This year’s list was edited by Alex Knapp, Katie Jennings, Katharine Gammon and Ragnhildur Þrastardóttir. For a link to our complete Under 30 Science list, click here , and for full 30 Under 30 coverage, click here .
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