Rashmi Prakash, M.Eng

Addressing the critical issue of menstrual product waste, which contributes to 20 billion products ending up in landfills annually, Rashmi leads a dynamic team of 8 engineers and nurses who have developed an innovative, 100% compostable menstrual pad that utilizes natural fibers derived from repurposed food and crop waste. This pioneering process diverts waste from landfills, is devoid of harmful PFAs and chemicals offering a profound environmental impact. A double threat as a UBC professor at just 26, her vision extends to revolutionizing diaper and medical PPE markets with compostable alternatives – and helping her students see the value of sustainability as being paramount in engineering design.