#Singapore #science education #Jasmine Eyal #Breakthrough Challenge

Singapore Teen Wins Breakthrough Junior Challenge

The Breakthrough Prize Foundation has recently announced that 16-year-old Jasmine Eyal from Singapore is the winner of the 10th Annual Breakthrough Junior Challenge. This exceptional global science video competition aims to inspire the younger generation by cultivating their communication and creative thinking skills in the fields of life sciences, physics, and mathematics.

An Impressive Achievement

Jasmine's originality and depth of understanding are reflected in her winning entry, which focuses on mechanogenetic cellular engineering. This concept, a forefront of innovative biotechnology, explores how cellular mechanisms can be manipulated for potential therapeutic benefits in medicine.

Jasmine's triumph comes with a substantial educational prize totaling $400,000. As part of the award, she receives a $250,000 scholarship for higher education, while her science instructor, Julie Li-Eyal, is awarded $50,000. Furthermore, a state-of-the-art science laboratory, designed by the renowned Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and valued at $100,000, will be constructed at the Community High School located in Brooklyn, NY, which is part of the Beginning with Children Education Network.

Inspiring the Future

At the recent Breakthrough Prize Ceremony held in Los Angeles, Jasmine was recognized alongside the notable 2025 Breakthrough Prize laureates. Julia Milner, the co-founder of the Breakthrough Prize, expressed her admiration for the overall quality of entries this year, summarizing the significance of Jasmine's work, which stemmed from her journey to find treatments for her grandmother's diabetes. "Jasmine's video is a great demonstration of how curiosity can lead to meaningful exploration and discovery," she remarked.

Reflecting on her inspiration, Jasmine shared, "My grandma, Popo, struggles with Type 1 diabetes, and I was motivated to delve into this area of biology due to its potential to transform healthcare, alleviate chronic diseases, and enhance quality of life for individuals like her." Her grandmother also participated in the making of the video and was the first to share the news of Jasmine's accomplishment.

Collaborating for Education

Superintendent Esosa Ogbahon of the Beginning with Children network expressed gratitude for the generous funding. She stated, "This lab will be a game-changer for our students, promoting hands-on learning and inspiring curiosity in scientific exploration." The dedicated lab environment is expected to nurture and feed into the educational aspirations of future scientists and innovators.

Jasmine's recognition is part of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge's broader mission to engage and motivate students, ages 13-18, to create original videos that effectively communicate complex scientific concepts. Over 2,300 students from around the globe participated this year, leading to intense competition and a rigorous judging process that selected Jasmine as one of the finalists.

Legacy of the Challenge

Now in its tenth year, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge has seen participation from over 100,000 individuals, aimed at igniting a passion for STEM education. Previous winners have tackled concepts ranging from Einstein's theories to quantum physics. Selected submissions not only provide scholarship opportunities but also emphasize the importance of science education, paving the way for students who will influence the world’s future dynamics.

As preparations begin for the next Breakthrough Junior Challenge, set to receive entries starting May 1st, Jasmine Eyal stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring scientists everywhere, illustrating the transformative power of education and personal experience.

For the complete video of Jasmine's award-winning submission and to learn more about the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, visit Breakthrough Junior Challenge.