At just 12 years old, Ichor Joshua Keghnen—now an innovator and geoscientist—fell seriously ill with typhoid fever, a waterborne disease linked to pollution and scarcity. The experience, which nearly cost him his life, became the catalyst for his life’s work. Today, through his enterprise GeoTek, he is developing technologies to tackle the water challenges facing rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa—issues that are only intensifying under climate change.

As a member of the Young Climate Prize 2023 cohort, Keghnen received mentorship from Max Fraser, an independent design commentator whose work spans books, magazines, exhibitions, video, and live events. Fraser is the author of several design titles and a frequent contributor to leading international publications, where he expands the conversation around contemporary design.