Millena Xavier Martins

Millena Xavier Martins grew up in a modest environment, watching her parents work hard: her mother taught in underprivileged communities, and her father worked in the fields. At the age of 10, she began riding six kilometers on horseback to join her mother at her school, witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by the students there. This inspired her to seek better opportunities and to give back to her community. When her mother moved to Juiz de Fora, Millena joined her in some classes, and together they organized a Christmas gift campaign for the students, collecting over 30 toys. 

For Millena, school was more than just a place of academic study; it was a rich source for her to gain knowledge and use it to help her community. Her interest in scientific Olympiads began when she learned about the Astronomy Olympiad (OBA) from a student who won an award. Despite her school's initial reluctance to support such competitions, Millena participated independently during the pandemic. Realizing that many students lacked school support for these competitions at that time, she started tutoring 12 peers for math Olympiads, which evolved into a broader initiative called Prep Olimpíadas. This project grew into the nation's largest Olympic NGO, impacting over 100,000 students, especially from underprivileged areas, over three years with more than 20 initiatives. 

At 15, Millena moved 216 kilometers from home to attend a top public school, where she developed an AI tool for autism screening called Autinosis, inspired by a friend who showed autism traits but lacked diagnostic access. Her work in scientific research and Olympiads led to an invitation to join the Advisory Board of the International Research Olympiad (IRO), making her the youngest and only Latina on the committee. 

Her academic achievements are notable, including being named the youngest Forbes Under 30 in the 'Science and Education' category and qualified to represent Brazil at the International AI Olympiad (IOAI) in Bulgaria, the first Latin American girl to do so. She won awards including the Prudential Young Visionaries Award, saw Autinosis win a Silver Medal at the International Conference of Young Scientist (ICYS) in Turkey, she was accepted into prestigious programs including Yale Young Global Scholars and received full scholarships from several international high schools. 

Milena’s community service efforts extended to organizing free classes for children in favelas, leading to seven students winning medals and receiving scholarships. She also coordinated the Brazilian Afrodiversity Olympiad (OBAFRO), impacting 20,000 participants and raising awareness about racial issues. Her determination to overcome challenges is evident in her personal story. Moving to a new city alone at 15, she faced difficulties adapting and dealing with a psychologically unstable boarding house owner. Despite these hardships, she continued her education and pursued her passion for science, reaping all the achievements and acclaim that came from these efforts. 

By leading initiatives that promote scientific education and youth involvement, Millena has fostered a global community of young scholars and innovators. Her international experiences and alliances include participating in programs at Stanford, the University of Toronto, and the Latin American Leadership Academy, among others. Millena exemplifies resilience, creativity, and a commitment to making a difference in her community and beyond through education and innovation.