Alumni Spotlight: Kristýna Říhová 

ASSIST Scholars Class of ‘24 at Linden Hall School

Czech STEM Leader and Rise Global Winner

Kristýna Říhová has always been determined to make a difference, driven by her passion for marine biology and environmental protection. Coming from the Czech Republic, where there are no oceans, she didn’t let that limit her dream of saving the seas. When she applied to ASSIST, she saw it as a gateway to opportunities beyond her home country, a chance to follow her passion and pursue the impact she wanted to make on the world.

With this spirit of curiosity and ambition, Kristýna joined the ASSIST Class of 2024 at member school, Linden Hall School, where she found the supportive community and resources she needed to turn her dream into reality. From the moment she arrived, the school welcomed her vision with open arms. “For the first time in my life, my teachers were truly interested in my research and actively supported me,” Kristýna shared. With access to fully equipped labs, encouragement from her AP Biology teacher, and guidance from scientists she met along the way, Kristýna dove into her independent research to protect marine environments.

With all that support, Kristýna became a Global Winner of the prestigious Rise program, which identifies and supports young leaders working to solve global challenges. In partnership with the Rhodes Trust, Rise is one of Eric and Wendy Schmidt’s philanthropic initiatives to foster global talent – https://www.schmidtfutures.org/.

Her groundbreaking project that won her the Rise competition focused on developing eco-friendly alternatives to “ghost nets”—abandoned fishing nets that contribute to ocean pollution and harm marine life. At Linden Hall, Kristýna was able to complete in one year what would have taken years back home, thanks to the tools, time, and connections provided by her host school. She was even invited to present her research at Harrisburg University, a moment she describes as “surprising and humbling,” as professors showed her the kind of support and access she had only dreamed of.

Kristýna’s journey is a testament to how the right environment can help unlock a young person’s potential – with ASSIST’s support to study at Linden Hall, she found the freedom to explore her ideas and make them grow. “It was a chance to make a change,” she says, “just like when I first applied to ASSIST.”

Looking ahead, Kristýna plans to further her studies abroad, focusing on marine biology and biotechnology. Her ambition is to find more innovative ways to protect the oceans and foster environmental sustainability—a vision that was nurtured and supported by her experience at Linden Hall, thanks to the doors opened by ASSIST and the Bakala Foundation.

Kristýna’s story is not just about her remarkable achievements but also about the power of support, opportunity, and believing in the potential of young leaders to change the world – exactly what lies here at the core of our mission at ASSIST.