Patricia Rea is a 15-year old protein engineer, and one of the world’s top teenage genetic engineering researchers. She is currently focused on creating a strain of yeast that can survive the hostile environment of Mars. Patricia views DNA as a three-dimensional coding language that can be programed to biomanufacture materials within cells – from pigments and fragrances, to food, plastic and silk –all with a far greener carbon footprint than traditional manufacturing methods. She is about to begin laboratory testing on a synthetic antifreeze protein with the cryoprotective potential to significantly reduce the temperature at which cells freeze. Patricia has presented her research at MIT and has been selected three times to represent Canada at international science fairs. She was the recipient of the IARC Young Scientist Award this February in Barcelona, Spain, and was recently presented with the WISEST Externship Award at the continental INSPO Research and Innovation Competition.