At just 17 years old, Dasia Taylor, a high school junior from Iowa City, made waves in the world of science with her groundbreaking invention: color-changing medical sutures that use beet juice to detect surgical infections.
Taylor’s innovative work, which aims to address disparities in healthcare for people of color, catapulted her into the national spotlight, leading her to win multiple science competitions and make appearances on prominent platforms like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “PBS NewsHour,” and CNN.
Taylor’s invention was born out of her equity work. Research shows that Black people are disproportionately affected by post-surgical infections, with common signs like skin redness and swelling often harder to detect on darker skin tones.
Her solution? A simple, low-cost suture that changes color in the presence of infection, offering a critical tool for low- and middle-income countries where treatable infections can often become deadly.
Despite her lack of prior experience in science fairs, Taylor’s innate curiosity and commitment to making a difference drove her success.
Her invention garnered widespread acclaim, and she became a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the prestigious “Super Bowl” of high school science competitions.
Now 19, Taylor is not only a college student but also the founder and CEO of VariegateHealth, a medical device company focused on inclusion.
She is also the face of her own “head nerd brand,” using hands-on innovation workshops to inspire young students to explore science and live authentically.
Taylor remains focused on the long-term development of her suture technology, seeking patents and building a team to bring the device to market. Her journey has been one of persistence, and she’s committed to inspiring others along the way.
“There are a ton of kids out there that, historically, are not supposed to achieve what I’ve achieved,” she says. “For me to tell them, ‘Hey, I did this, you can do that.’”
