CHICAGO, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The Chicago-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Sunday announced 24 "genius grants" worth $500,000 to each recipient.
Among this year's winners were a soil scientist working to end famine in Africa, a nursing professor seeking better ways to treat elderly cancer patients and an Ohio children's book author, CBS News reported.
Two of the recipients are still in their 20s.
At 21, Erik Demaine is the youngest professor ever at MIT. He was home schooled by his father and graduated from college at the age of 12. He received his doctoral degree at 20.
Demaine has used creative techniques like origami paper folding to discover scientific rules, CBS said.
The other young winner is Lateefah Simon of San Francisco. The 26-year-old, who never finished college, was cited for her creative approach to turning around the lives of troubled young women.
