The innovative mayor of a central New York city and the founder of a company that empowers scientific research in developing countries have been named recipients of the 2014 John F. Kennedy New Frontier Awards.

Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, will present the awards on Dec. 10 to Ithaca, New York, Mayor Svante Myrick and Nina Dudnik, CEO of Seeding Labs.

Myrick, 24 years old when elected in 2011, is credited with spurring and entrepreneurship in the city.

Dudnik sent research tools that were being discarded in the U.S. to 22 developing nations. She has supported researchers developing treatments for tuberculosis and malaria, expanding access to clean , improving crops and more.

The awards honor Americans under 40 who are changing the world through public service.

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