Axel Cordoba

Axel Leonel Cordoba studies Earth Sciences at the National University of Comahue, Argentina.

Born in Graneros, a small town in Tucumán, Argentina, Axel and his family lost all their possessions in a flood while he was at high school and had to move to a new city, starting from scratch. Despite this upheaval, Axel has excelled not only academically, but has made a remarkable impact on the environment and society through his many projects and initiatives.

A prolific social entrepreneur, Axel founded the project Crystalline Science which has won an award from the Pérez Companc Foundation. Crystalline Science creates improvised laboratories in rural schools across Argentina through items found at home, such as jam jars, that replace laboratory equipment. Students can then carry out experiments to learn how different elements that they find in their daily lives, such as sugar, crystallize.

Based on the success of this undertaking, Axel was encouraged to create the company Horux Technologies which develops educational apps for businesses and NGOs that want to develop innovative products related to social inclusion and education.

He is also currently the co-founder of the company Hydroplus which is combatting water scarcity. Axel’s unique innovation is granular powder capable of converting liquid water into a solid and incorporating essential nutrients for plant growth.  The product is hydrated with irrigation water and distributes it slowly as the plant needs it, being able to cut irrigation frequency by 50%. The project has won awards from the Pampa Energía Foundation, the Argentine Wine Corporation, FV Griferias, the Municipality of Roca, Young Water Fellowship and the San Miguel company.

Axel is also a writer, published poet, and has received awards from prestigious institutions such as UNESCO, Universidad del Salvador, Fundación Telefónica and MERCOSUR. He has published scientific articles in national and international journals and has been formally recognized by the Senate of Argentina for his work. Axel has also received scholarships from MIT, the Balseiro Institute, the National Atomic Energy Commission, the Bunge y Born Foundation and PAE.

His creative endeavors extend to designing the flag of the city of Fernández Oro, and designing and developing a new Periodic Table of Elements associated with geology that won awards from the National University of Comahue and was published in internationally renowned scientific journals.

During his time at the school, Axel was the President of its Student Council and worked as a volunteer for organizations that collaborate with vulnerable communities. He also participated in the Mercosur Youth Parliament delivering speeches in defense of human rights and youth. In 2020 Axel was elected as the Argentine representative at the Veracruz human rights summit, based on his participation in the Global Network of Young Politicians. The Network is an international organization whose purpose is to defend, promote and guarantee democracy; work for human rights and sustainable development goals; and promote citizen participation and respect for ideological diversity.

If Axel won the Global Student Prize, he would use the money to develop his Crystalline Science and Hydroplus projects so that they can grow nationally and internationally.