15: Shaan Baig, Founder of SB Innovations

UnConventional

At age 13, Shaan suffered a concussion while playing hockey. After learning about the growing problem of concussions for athletes worldwide, Shaan designed a helmet, which was more effective than any existing method, to prevent concussions. The positive impact of the helmet motivated him to continue applying science to real world problems. Later that year, Shaan created SB Innovations, a research and development company creating affordable, sustainable solutions to global issues. Under SB Innovations, he has developed an alternative treatment for prostate cancer, as well as a treatment and diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease. Shaan knew there were other young scientists who could improve lives and disrupt industries with the proper guidance. As part of SB Innovations, he founded Young Scientists & Innovators (YSI) to help teens discover their untapped potential in STEM and provide them with the tools to turn their ideas into reality. YSI’s incubator has helped teens produce innovations ranging from treatments for fatal diseases to sustainable energy systems, many of which have advanced research in their respective fields. Shaan’s own innovations have received top awards at prestigious honors fairs such as the Canada-Wide Science Fair, Sanofi Biogenius Competition, Expo-Science International, Taiwan International Science Fair, Google Science Fair and most recently, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. He has become an international advocate for young innovators, speaking on global stages like TEDxGleneagle in Vancouver and Cooperation 2019 alongside Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield. Shaan hopes to continue creating a global, diverse community of youth who use STEM to address the world’s most pressing issues.