Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP)

Each year, JCI honors ten exceptional young leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities and beyond. Through the TOYP program, we spotlight changemakers under 40 whose bold ideas and actions inspire others and create lasting change across cultures and borders.

JCI TOYP 2025 Online Voting

Help us honor this year's JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons by casting your vote.

Voting Form

Step 1: Please select your honoree from the list below. You may choose only one honoree, so review the options carefully before moving to the next step.

Step 2: You have selected as your choice. If this is correct, please provide your details below and submit your vote.

(If you selected the wrong honoree, you can go back to Step 1 to change your choice.)

2024 TOYP Honorees

  • Dr. Aydın Sinan Apaydın

    Turkey

    Medical Innovation

  • Dr. Barkaoui Salma

    Tunisia

    Scientific and/or Technological Development

  • Dr. Lai Chin Wei

    Malaysia

    Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment

  • Dr. Şükrü Furkan Öztürk

    Turkey

    Scientific and/or Technological Development

  • Giovanna Estefania Ramirez Ruiz

    Colombia

    Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment, Scientific and/or Technological Development

  • Marcel van Hattem

    Brazil

    Political, Legal and/or Governmental Affairs

  • Mouhamad Kawas

    Syria

    Business, Economic and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment

  • Risa Santoso

    Indonesia

    Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment

  • Valentina Milanova

    Bulgaria

    Medical Innovation

  • Zülal Tannur

    Turkey

    Personal Improvement and/or Accomplishment

Medical Innovation

Dr. Aydın Sinan Apaydın

Turkey

Aydın Sinan Apaydın, who started his neurosurgery education in 2015, successfully completed it in July 2020 and became a neurosurgeon. In addition, he simultaneously started his doctoral education in medical pharmacology along with his neurosurgery education and simultaneously earned the title of PhD in medical pharmacology in 2020. Prioritizing research throughout his education life, Dr. Apaydın published dozens of research articles, oral presentations and posters during his education. During his education, they started working on medical technologies as 4 friends. During this process, they made dozens of patent applications and developed medical device prototypes. Dr. Apaydın won the Turkish Neurosurgery Association Prof. Dr. Nurcan Özdamar Scientific Research Award in 2023 with a research article. After his neurosurgery education, Dr. Apaydın’s project application to Duke University’s neurosurgery department on ‘minimally invasive spine surgery’ was accepted and he continues his research and studies at Duke University’s neurosurgery department in 2023.

In addition, Dr. Apaydın has two TUBITAK 1002 project applications in 2024, as well as articles, book chapters, awards, news in written and visual media, and oral presentations published in dozens of internationally refereed journals. Dr. Apaydın, who continues to work in Duke University’s neurosurgery department, continues his own projects, including anterior cervical retractor and artificial intelligence-based ophthalmoscope, which he designed and applied for, in addition to his neurosurgery studies. Dr. Apaydın continues to inspire young generations by working voluntarily with associations and foundations in terms of entrepreneurship.

Scientific and/or Technological Development

Dr. Barkaoui Salma

Tunisia

Dr. Salma Barkaoui is a Lead data scientist and a research affiliate at Qualees and NASA JPL whose career was rich and full of exceptional accomplishments in science and artificial intelligence.

Coming  from  Tataouine  where the greatest movie  « Star Wars » was filmed, Salma spent her childhood nights admiring the amazing sky and the stars. This was the fuel to start her journey as a space scientist to explore the mystery of our outstanding universe and our planet Earth.

Salma Completed her bachelor’s degree in Tunisia, then moved to France to finish her double diploma in applied mathematics engineering after being selected in the top 20 outstanding students.  Then, she continued  with a PhD with the French space center Cnes, IPGP and NASA JPL. Her thesis, focused on exploring using IA the seismic signal coming from the red planet and measured by the NASA  InSight lander.  After exploring Mars, Salma decided to focus on Earth and join JPL NASA as a postdoc data scientist.

In addition to her research, Salma was also interested in teaching and spreading knowledge to students to inspire them to become the best version of themselves. She worked as a teacher at Paris Descartes University and gave multiple volunteering lessons, podcasts, conferences and workshops all over the world.

Salma won different awards during her career like the 1st prize in the program “Make us dream”, the first prize during the NASA Space App’s Challenge in Paris and the 6th round KiboCUBE  with JAXA as a TUNSAT member and CubeSat space mission operations responsible.

Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment

Dr. Lai Chin Wei

Malaysia

Dr. Lai is currently an associate professor in Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. He is a well-known academic educator (top 2% scientists in a global list) in the field of nanomaterials design and sustainable development to diverse the inclusive science, technology, and innovation. Lai’s works published in >250 journals, >75 chapters, >100 proceedings, and filing 6 patents (granted 2 patents). Now, Lai is serving as journal editors, and book editors for several publishers.

The utilization of long-lasting “photocatalysis technology” using nanomaterials to solve global warming and reduce environmental impacts has been the passion for Lai. Lai’s research findings aid in building the fundamentals knowledge and groundbreaking industry collaboration experience with many multinational companies/institutions/NGOs, which help direct research efforts towards critical aspects in nanomaterial development for various innovative advancements including long-lasting self-sanitizing nanocoating for buildings/tranportations, indoor air pollutants removal, wastewater treatment, solar panel nanocoating for higher power generation, battery/supercapacitor related technologies.

Indeed, Lai is providing leadership development opportunities that privilege to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering collaboration and driving innovation to impact the world using nanotechnology. These inventions played a key role in combating COVID-19 pandemic, improving indoor air quality, protecting water ecosystems, developing cost-effective solar energy and energy storage system in >15 countries and have benefited >10 million of people to date. Lai awarded 6 national young scientists awards, 21 gold/silver technology expo awards, and 8 university service awards. Lai believes that nanotechnology will positively affect the living standards of mankind for a better living environment.

Scientific and/or Technological Development

Dr. Şükrü Furkan Öztürk

Turkey

S. Furkan Ozturk was born in Ankara, Turkiye, where he received his early education. His interest in science began early on, inspired by reading biographies of eminent scientists. He enjoyed observing the skies with his telescope and keeping observation notebooks, which laid the groundwork for his future academic pursuits in physics.

 Furkan received his undergraduate degree in Physics in 2018 from Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, where he graduated as the valedictorian of his class with the highest cumulative GPA ever achieved in the department’s history. For his bachelor’s thesis, he worked on the theory of dipolar quantum droplets—quantum mechanical analogs of magnetic liquid droplets composed of magnetic atoms.

In 2018, Furkan began his Ph.D. studies at Harvard University’s Department of Physics, under the supervision of Prof. Markus Greiner. Initially, his research involved building an erbium quantum gas microscope, an analog quantum computer to study exotic quantum phases of matter. Within the Erbium Lab, he built an ultra-low noise optical lattice, an artificial crystal lattice made out of light, using a custom-built green laser to explore the physics of magnetic quantum gases under a high-resolution objective. This research led to a publication in Nature, marking the first observation of dipolar phases of matter in an optical lattice.

In 2021, Furkan shifted his research focus towards the origins of life and joined the Sasselov Group. Currently, his work centers on investigating the origins of biomolecular homochirality, specifically examining the role of magnetic surfaces as chiral agents due to the chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect. In his recent work, by utilizing magnetic surfaces as templates for the asymmetric crystallization of an RNA precursor, he demonstrated a robust method for achieving homochirality in RNA under prebiotic conditions. This technique, noted for its efficiency, led to a US patent for chiral separation, highlighting its practical use in pharmacology. In the same year, he published a paper describing the propagation of chiral information from D-nucleic acids to L-peptides and then to homochiral metabolites, which was highlighted as the editor’s selection and featured on the issue’s cover.

Dr. Ozturk’s Ph.D. thesis research on homochirality has been recognized by origin of life chemist and Nobel laureate Jack Szostak as “”a real breakthrough”” and has been featured in prestigious science outlets such as Nature, Science, and Quanta Magazine. He received the Gertrude and Maurice Goldhaber Prize from the Harvard Physics Department, awarded annually to an outstanding graduate student in physics. Additionally, his work has been recognized with the Ataturk Science Award, the Innovation Prize, and first prize in the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World competition Turkey 2023 by JCI in the category of Scientific Development. Furthermore, his research on life’s homochirality inspired the popular science documentary “”Cracking Chirality”” by the Dreyfus Foundation. Dr. Ozturk has been invited to speak at numerous scientific conferences, including being one of the 25 speakers at the Solvay Conference in 2024, which is renowned for bringing together the most distinguished scientists to discuss groundbreaking advancements in physics and chemistry.

 After completing his Ph.D. in 2024, Dr. Ozturk was awarded the Junior Research Fellowship by King’s College, Cambridge, and the Kavli-Laukien Prize Fellowship by the Origins of Life Initiative at Harvard University. Dr. Ozturk is currently an independent research fellow at Harvard University and King’s College, Cambridge, where he is investigating the origins of life and the physics of living systems.

 Dr. Ozturk is also interested in science outreach and public engagement of science. He owns a YouTube channel with over 75,000 subscribers and 2.5 million total views, where he creates educational and scientific content primarily for the Turkish-speaking audience.

Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment, Scientific and/or Technological Development

Giovanna Estefania Ramirez Ruiz

Colombia

Driven by a profound passion for space, science, and technology, Giovanna has built an outstanding career in the aerospace field. An Electronics Engineer and Master’s in Integrated Project Development and Management, with additional training as a Pilot, Giovanna stands out for her strong commitment to technological advancement and education. She currently serves as a lecturer in the aerospace engineering master’s programs at Universidad San Buenaventura and Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería Julio Garavito. Additionally, she chairs the Aerospace & Electronic Systems Society (AESS-IEEE) for Latin America.

 Her career includes being an Analog Astronaut at the Polish Aerospace Training Center and a Mentor for the United Nations’ “Space For Women” program. As a former Global Space Consortium Fellow from Japan, she has led the development of a space mission for Colombia through a satellite and has undergone aerospace engineering training in various countries. She has worked as a researcher at the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation and at the Graduate School of the Colombian Air Force.

Giovanna is also a prominent international speaker, having delivered over 1000 STEAM conferences and workshops across Latin America, impacting more than 500 educational institutions and inspiring future astronauts. She has led space robotics projects with indigenous communities in Colombia and organized the fixed-wing aircraft competition “ZAGI RACE.” Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the TOYP Colombia 2023 and the “50 Memorable Latin American Women Award – 2023,” and she has been honored as a Recipient of the Galileo International Chair by COLPARMEX-Mexico. Her dedication to science and technology continues to inspire and empower young people worldwide.

Political, Legal and/or Governmental Affairs

Marcel van Hattem

Brazil

Marcel van Hattem has been involved in youth leadership groups and organizations, including the JCI. Born in Dois Irmãos, Brazil, he was elected as a city councilman at the age of 18. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations (UFRGS), a Master’s degree in Political Science with a specialization in Comparative Politics and Democracy (Leiden University), a Master’s degree in Journalism, Media, and Globalization with a specialization in Media and Politics, and a Postgraduate (lato sensu) degree in Law, Economics, and Constitutional Democracy (Aarhus University and the University of Amsterdam). He is also a graduate of the Political, Social, and Business Leadership Program (Georgetown University).

As a State Deputy, he was the youngest member of the Legislative Assembly. He was elected as the most voted Federal Deputy in the state. A liberal, he advocates for free markets, reducing the size of government, and fiscal responsibility, while valuing transparency and citizen participation in politics. He has published articles and books, and conceived various projects and movements. In the legislature, he has proposed 309 legislative projects, demonstrating his commitment to contributing to society.

Marcel has received awards such as the Order of Rio Branco, a high distinction in Brazilian diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and the Medal of the Order of Aeronautical Merit (Brazilian Air Force).

Marcel embodies the ideals of JCI: liberalism, political innovation, effective communication, and transparency. He is a reference in youth engagement in Brazil, positively influencing public debate and inspiring involvement in politics and the community.

Business, Economic and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment

Mouhamad Kawas

Syria

Mouhamad Kawas is a dedicated entrepreneur and technology expert with over 15 years of experience in building and leading successful teams. As the founder and CEO of Kuality AI and CTO of Medicus AI GmbH, he has a strong focus on artificial intelligence technologies, driving advancements that make a real difference in various industries.

Throughout his career, Mouhamad has played a key role in founding two agencies and three startups, one of which has reached an impressive 8-digit valuation. He has worked with top-ranked organizations and government authorities across Europe, the Middle East, and South America, including countries like Germany, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the UAE.

In 2022, Mouhamad was recognized as one of the Top 100 Power Leaders in Technology across Asia, a testament to his significant contributions to the field. He holds five patents from the European Patent Office and has led the development of award-winning projects such as the RTA app and Visit Abu Dhabi.

Mouhamad’s impact extends beyond the corporate world. He actively supports NGOs and educational initiatives, helping to create a brighter future for young people and underserved communities. His advisory roles with various local and international businesses have enabled these organizations to expand their markets, particularly in the Middle East.

Mouhamad Kawas’s leadership, innovation, and commitment to community development highlight his significant contributions to the technology sector. His work embodies a blend of professional excellence and dedication to making a positive impact on society.

Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment

Risa Santoso

Indonesia

Recognized as Indonesia’s youngest Rector, Risa Santoso is celebrated for her impactful contributions to education and leadership development. She fosters leadership, mentors talents, and influences educational policy at the highest levels. Frequently invited as a keynote speaker in both private and public sectors, she continues to shape the future of education in Indonesia and beyond.

Risa holds a Bachelor’s in Economics with a Minor in Education from UC Berkeley and a Master’s from Harvard Graduate School of Education, supported by an Indonesian Endowment Fund (LPDP) scholarship. Her experience as Assistant Advisor in the Executive Office of the President of Indonesia provided strategic insights to drive impactful changes in the education sector.

Throughout her career, Risa played a key role in national projects, including the Asia Entrepreneur Training Program (2018-2019), backed by the Asian Development Bank, accelerating Indonesian start-ups to enter global markets. In 2019, she became Indonesia’s youngest Rector, leading Institut ASIA Malang to national recognition, receiving the Outstanding Campus Award and accolades from the Governor of East Java.

In 2022, Risa has collaborated with Bakti BCA, the CSR arm of Bank Central Asia, to develop a transformational leadership program for K-12 school leaders across Indonesia to create sustainable change. She continues to mentor young talents through talks and initiatives like Surabaya Next Leader and Batu Tourism Ambassador.

Recognized for her contributions, Risa was chosen as a panelist for the LPDP Roadmap to 2045, helping shape the future of the $8.94 billion fund. Joining JCI in 2019, her work aligns with key SDGs—particularly in quality education, economic growth, and reducing inequalities—and actively contributes to their realization.

Medical Innovation

Valentina Milanova

Bulgaria

Valentina Milanova is the founder of Daye, a company dedicated to bridging the gender health gap through innovative menstrual health products.

With a focus on sustainability and commercialization, Valentina has led Daye to become a key player in the women’s health market. She is passionate about improving gynecological healthcare and has been featured in numerous health and wellness publications.

Personal Improvement and/or Accomplishment

Zülal Tannur

Turkey

Zülal Tannur is the founder and CEO of FROM YOUR EYES. In 2020, she was recognized by Microsoft as one of the Women Leaders Directing Technology due to her extraordinary achievements in the technology development process. She gained in-depth knowledge in image processing, powerful platforms, and data analytics both at Microsoft Turkey and globally as a technology ambassador for Microsoft. She served as the training sessions program manager responsible for 59 countries at WeWalk and collaborated with Microsoft’s central teams in Seattle on localization projects for innovative image processing solutions like Seeing AI. Her contributions to technology and eadership have been honored by Google with the title of Women TechMaker.

Starting her academic journey at Boğaziçi University, Zülal continues her education at Arizona State University, where she was invited to join the undergraduate program in neuroscience and cognitive sciences. Her company, FROM YOUR EYES, produces advanced artificial vision solutions for smart technologies and achieved great success by becoming the world champion in the Microsoft Imagine Cup. Additionally, it is a venture supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) under the INNOMOTION program.

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