In 2017, Rao won the first place in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. This brought her wide attention. She decided to use her talents to solve real problems. After learning about unsafe drinking water in Flint, Michigan, she created Tethys. This device tests water for dangerous lead and sends results to a phone. Later, she designed Kindly, an app that uses computer smarts to find hurtful online messages early. She also built Epione, a tool to help doctors spot signs of drug addiction.
Rao is also a writer. Her first book, Baby Brother Wonders, came out in 2015 when she was just ten. In 2020, she published A Young Person's Guide to Science and Technology. That same year, TIME Magazine chose her as the first ever Kid of the Year, featuring her on its cover. She also received other important awards including a place on Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30 list.
Outside of science, Rao enjoys Indian classical dance, singing and playing the piano. She has shared her ideas at TEDx events and appeared in a Marvel television show. Her story teaches us that young people can make a big difference in the world.
