Jack Andraka

Jack Andraka is an American inventor, entrepreneur, and advocate for science education. He gained international recognition at the age of 15 for developing a low-cost sensor to detect pancreatic cancer, a breakthrough that earned him multiple awards and widespread acclaim. His work has since focused on advancing medical diagnostics, promoting STEM education, and advocating for youth innovation.

Early Life and Education

Jack Andraka was born on October 13, 1997, in Baltimore, Maryland. He showed an early interest in science and technology, often conducting experiments at home and participating in science fairs. His high school years were marked by a growing passion for biomedical engineering, which led him to pursue research opportunities at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Inventions and Achievements

At the age of 15, Jack Andraka developed a novel method for detecting pancreatic cancer using carbon nanotube sensors. His invention, which costs less than 5 cents per test, was published in the journal *Scientific American* in 2012 and has been cited as a major advancement in early cancer detection. The sensor works by detecting a biomarker called mesothelin, which is present in high concentrations in pancreatic cancer patients.

In addition to his cancer-detection work, Jack Andraka has contributed to research in other areas, including the development of a low-cost glucose monitor and improvements in water purification technologies. His work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including *The New York Times*, *The Guardian*, and *BBC News*.

Recognition and Awards

Jack Andraka's pancreatic cancer sensor earned him the grand prize at the 2012 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, one of the most prestigious science competitions for high school students. He was also named a Young Innovator by *Time* magazine and received the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 2015, which recognizes young inventors.

His achievements have been highlighted in documentaries, including *The 15-Year-Old Who Invented a Cancer Sensor* (2013), and he has been invited to speak at events such as the TEDx Youth conference and the World Economic Forum.

Later Work and Advocacy

After completing his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University, Jack Andraka co-founded the company Andraka BioTech, which focuses on commercializing his medical technologies. He has also been a vocal advocate for increasing access to STEM education, particularly for underprivileged youth.

In 2020, Jack Andraka launched the Andraka Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and resources to young inventors and scientists. The foundation has supported over 500 students globally, with a focus on underrepresented communities.

Personal Life

Jack Andraka has spoken publicly about the challenges he faced as a young inventor, including skepticism from the scientific community and financial barriers to research. He has emphasized the importance of perseverance and collaboration in scientific innovation.

He is currently based in Maryland and continues to work on projects related to medical diagnostics and global health.

References

- [Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com) – Article on Jack Andraka's cancer-detection sensor - [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair](https://www.intel.com) – Information on Jack Andraka's award - [Lemelson-MIT Prize](https://www.lemelson.mit.edu) – Details on Jack Andraka's recognition - [Andraka Foundation](https://www.andrakafoundation.org) – Information on Jack Andraka's nonprofit initiatives

This page contains information generated by Ollama. The information was reviewed, and may have been altered, by a human editor before being added to the Featured category. As of July 2026 information generated by AI is not subject to copyright and is thus in the public domain. This page is pending human review.