Kornelia Wieczorek – 17-year-old Polish visionary on TIME’s list
Women are still fighting for equal footing in science and technology, and we are slowly seeing the results. Kornelia Wieczorek from Łódź, a 17-year-old science enthusiast, has been included in the prestigious ‘Girls of the Year 2025’ list by the American magazine TIME. This distinction is not only an individual success. It is a symbol of how important it is to support women in pursuing their ambitions from an early age.
Too few women in the world of science
TIME’s initiative, carried out in collaboration with the LEGO Group as part of the ‘She Built That’ campaign, was created for a specific reason. Scientific research relentlessly shows the reality: girls do not see themselves as leaders, and the lack of female role models in science and technology weakens their belief in their own abilities. The ‘Girls of the Year’ list aims to change this narrative by showing young women that science and leadership have no gender.
Kornelia Wieczorek is a perfect example of what modern women scientists look like. Her story shows that age is no barrier to true innovation. At just 17 years of age, she has developed a biodegradable fertiliser based on Rhizobium bacteria, which promotes plant growth without soil degradation and water eutrophication – a solution that could revolutionise environmentally friendly agriculture.
From diagnostics to neurology – versatility as a strength
What makes Kornelia unique is not only her young age, but above all the diversity of her interests and projects. In addition to her work on fertilisers, she has created a mobile application called ‘Skin without fear’ for the diagnosis of skin lesions. She is currently researching neurodegenerative diseases at Cambridge, and her plans include studying two subjects – neuroscience and medicine.
As she says in an interview with TIME: ‘I’m not entirely sure what will happen in six months, but I hope to be an expert in what interests me, because that’s something I really enjoy.’ This approach – openness to opportunities while being passionate about what you do – is a trait we should cultivate in all young women.
Full list of ‘Girls of the Year 2025’
Kornelia is not alone. TIME’s 2025 list features nine extraordinary young women from around the world, each with a unique story and achievements:
Rutendo Shadaya (17, New Zealand) – a promoter of young authors who demonstrates the power of the written word as a tool for change.
Coco Yoshizawa (15, Japan) – Olympic gold medallist who proves that determination and talent know no age limits.
Valerie Chiu (15, China) – science educator who democratises knowledge and makes science accessible to all.
Zoé Clauzure (15, France) – an activist against peer violence, fighting for a safe environment for young people.
Clara Proksch (12, Germany) – the youngest activist on the list, already fighting for children’s safety.
Ivanna Richards (17, Mexico) – a racing driver who is breaking stereotypes in the male-dominated motorsport industry.
Defne Özcan (17, Turkey) – a pilot who is literally reaching for the stars, showing that the sky is not the limit for women’s ambitions.
Rebecca Young (12, United Kingdom) – a young engineer working to help the homeless, combining technology with a social mission.
Naomi S. DeBerry (12, USA) – an organ donation activist and children’s book author who uses her story to help others.
A lesson for all organisations supporting women
The story of Kornelia and other girls on the TIME list carries an important message for organisations such as Talenti. Supporting women in the labour market must start early – from the moment girls first dream of a career in science, technology or leadership.
At the age of 16, Kornelia was already on Forbes magazine’s list of the 100 most influential women in Poland. As the youngest speaker, she participated in events such as TEDxWarsaw Women and the StartUP in the Palace conference. This shows how important it is to give young women a platform to share their achievements and visions.
Building the future together
Kornelia’s recognition by TIME is not only a source of national pride – it is a reminder that every young woman has the potential to change the world. As an organisation that supports women in the labour market, we should look at such stories as inspiration for action.
Do we support young women in pursuing their scientific passions? Do we create spaces where they can experiment, learn and develop their talents? Do we show them that science, technology and leadership are areas where they can find their place? Let’s make sure that the younger generation grows up with a sense of courage and hope.
Kornelia Wieczorek and her peers from around the world prove that the future belongs to women who are not afraid to dream boldly and act decisively. Our role as an organisation that supports women is to ensure that this future becomes a reality for as many young talents as possible.