14-year-old girl wins $25,000 prize for research on potential coronavirus cure - CBS News

That discovery, which she hopes will lead to a new weapon against COVID-19, began two years ago while Chebrolu was researching the Spanish flu pandemic.

"I just wanted to help the world and let children know that they can do whatever they want to accomplish," she said.

While the teen hopes to be a medical researcher and professor in the future, she is already doing grown-up work and inspiring a generation to reach for the stars.