Zuzanna Kassner, a 17-year-old scholar of the Rafał Brzoska Foundation, is a true force of nature. Her passion for biology, astrobiology, and the future of agriculture in extreme environments has already led to a series of breathtaking achievements.
Zuza doesn’t wait for solutions to be handed to her. She converted the attic of her family home into a fully functional laboratory, where she conducts advanced research on the effects of chitosan nanoparticles on plants under water-stress conditions. Measuring the growth of thousands of seedlings, she learns from every trial and never wavers when experiments don’t go exactly as planned.
A Mission Beyond Borders
Her mission is two-fold: addressing global hunger on Earth and supporting future space colonies. Zuza believes her research could revolutionize farming in arid regions of our planet and, eventually, on Mars.
One of the most defining moments in Zuza’s life was meeting astronaut Charlie Duke, who walked on the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission. Their conversation served as a profound inspiration and a catalyst for her continued dedication to science.
Zuza’s Impressive Track Record:
- Completed international training at the NASA Space & Rocket Center.
- Selected as one of the top 100 students in the world in the prestigious Rise for the World competition.
- This summer, she will be conducting research at NYU (New York University).
Beyond her lab work, Zuza is a passionate science communicator. She organizes scientific workshops for children and advocates for equal access to education, aiming to inspire other young people to pursue their dreams.
New Podcast Episode: “Impact The Future”
In the latest episode of the “Impact The Future” podcast, Zuza opens up about her research, her meeting with Charlie Duke, and her advice for young people dreaming of making a global impact.
The episode featuring Zuzanna Kassner is available now on all major podcast platforms.
Link: What do droughts, plants, and space have in common? – Zuzanna Kassner
