Isabela Silvério
2026 Eco-Hero
FINALIST
Isabela Silvério
Age 15
São José dos Campos, Brazil
The Mantibé Project: Bio-Tire Engineering and Environmental Literacy
At 15 years old, materials researcher and youth advocate Isabela Silvério is tackling microplastic pollution and empowering young women in STEM through her initiative, The Mantibé Project. Inspired by witnessing a devastating wildfire near her grandmother's home and learning that commercial vehicle tires are a primary source of ocean microplastics, Isabela set out to create a sustainable alternative. Working alongside university researchers and industrial mentors, she engineered "Orantire," a bio-polymer tire made from cellulose and limonene extracted from discarded orange peels. Validated by engineers at SENAI and the University of São Paulo, the prototype matches conventional tire durability while completely eliminating microplastic emissions from abrasion.
Complementing her laboratory research, Isabela launched the "Engineering in the Backyard" initiative in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain region. Through hands-on workshops, she trained 300 children from low-income communities to build practical drip irrigation and water filtration systems, converting local water scarcity challenges into interactive engineering lessons. Expanding her educational outreach through the "Oceanic World" campaign, Isabela reached 15,000 people globally, inspiring over 60% of female participants to consider careers in ocean science.
Isabela’s mentorship has quadrupled young women's participation in regional robotics and technology competitions. She actively represents youth environmental priorities on international stages, including COP-30 and the W20 summit. Whether fabricating sustainable materials or mentoring the next generation of female scientists, Isabela remains dedicated to using technology as a force for environmental justice and ecological restoration.
"My persistence is the most advanced technology I possess. Science applied to conservation is the most powerful tool for social transformation."
