Every year, MIT Technology Review recognizes emerging talent in its Innovators Under 35 list, highlighting young scientists, entrepreneurs, and inventors from around the globe. The 2025 edition has recently been published amid a challenging context for the U.S. scientific community, which has been experiencing significant pressure.
Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency in January, there have been notable changes affecting the scientific landscape, including the dismissal of senior government scientists, increased scrutiny on universities and academia, and substantial funding cuts to science and technology programs. In light of these developments, the publication consulted six recent cohorts of innovators to understand their perspectives on the effects of these policies. Their feedback reflects the complexities involved in establishing laboratories, companies, and pursuing careers in the current political environment.
This initiative falls under MIT Technology Review’s “America Undone” series, which investigates potential threats to the U.S. foundations in science and innovation.
One featured innovator is Iwnetim Abate, an Ethiopian entrepreneur who is working on reinventing ammonia production. Growing up in Ethiopia, Abate experienced frequent electricity outages, which influenced his perspective on energy solutions. Currently, he is an assistant professor at MIT in the materials science and engineering department. His research includes the development of sodium-ion batteries that may offer a more cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium-based batteries used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Additionally, Abate is exploring innovative methods to produce ammonia through geothermal energy, a chemical crucial for fertilizers and potentially as a sustainable fuel.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/11/1123534/the-download-trumps-impact-on-science-and-meet-our-climate-and-energy-honorees/