The youngest black applicant to medical school in history was a 13-year-old Texas girl. Alena Analeigh Wicker, who is over ten years younger than the average medical student, was accepted in June to the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama.
She recently obtained a letter of acceptance while still pursuing her biological sciences degrees at Arizona State University and Oakwood University.
“How old am I? You aren’t too young to take action. I believe I have demonstrated to myself that I am capable of doing everything I set my mind to “The Washington Post was told by Alena.
Alena, who lives in a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas, finished most of her coursework online. She also started the Brown STEM Girl organisation with the goal of inspiring girls of colour to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
We’re showing the world that there are more girls like me out there, and they deserve an opportunity and a chance, Alena said of the initiative.
More than 2,000 girls are already on the waitlist, and Brown STEM Girl currently has 460 members. It provides links between girls and supervisors as well as academic resources, financial aid, and support.
Alena was given up for adoption by her mother, Daphne McQuarter, who claimed to have seen Alena’s talent at an early age. “Alena has talent. It was simply the way she operated and how knowledgeable she was. Chapter books were being read by her “said her mother.
Along with her mother Daphne McQuarter, Alena Analeigh
She was so smart when she was little that her mother had to homeschool her to keep her safe from bullies who called her “smart pants.” In the fifth grade, she returned to school and took advanced high school courses. Alena claimed to be “bored” and that her high school coursework was so simple for her that she completed it at the age of twelve.
Clayton Turner, the director of NASA’s Langley Research Center, made the decision to hire Alena after reading a news item about her in which she described her ideal position at NASA. Alena made history this summer by becoming NASA’s youngest intern while she was still choosing whether to pursue a career in engineering. Turner remarked, “One of those outstanding minds is Alena. She is motivated by a desire to uplift and assist others.”
Clayton Turner, the head of NASA’s Langley Research Center, and Alena Analeigh
Turner also helped Alena receive her high school certificate during the ceremony.
Alena told Ebony magazine that she had only taken one term of engineering before quitting and switching to medicine following a trip to Jordan she took with Brown STEM Girl.
“It only took me one engineering class to realise that this was probably not the direction I wanted to go. My enthusiasm for helping and travelling the world to interact with people, I believe, is actually where my interest in viral immunology began “said Alena.
She continued, “I want healthcare to really demonstrate to these underserved communities that we can assist, that we can develop treatments for these viruses.
She told the Washington Post in an interview that she decided biology was the field for her after just one course. “I did not waste time. When I enrolled in my first biology class, after switching my major and dropping a class, I was certain that this was what I was supposed to be doing “She spoke.
She grew close with Elaine Vanterpool, the biology department chair at Oakwood University. Vanterpool, along with her other instructors, have had a big impact on Elena’s life, and she sees her as a mentor.
Alena Analeigh with Elane Vaterpool, her mentor
“She is quite talented. I could clearly see the grit and desire. She excelled. She refused to accept anything less than what she knows she is capable of “Of Alena, Vanterpool said.
Alena told the Washington Post that she planned to focus on viral immunology while also attempting to increase access to healthcare for those who do not currently have it.
She got accepted into the Heersink School of Medicine’s Early Assurance Program. It is well-known to be a demanding and highly selective early admissions programme, accessible to individuals who demonstrate a strong dedication to working in the medical field.
She will complete her undergraduate studies in the spring of 2024, and the following autumn, she will enrol in medical school. She intends to become a doctor by the age of 18.
She thanked her mother in an Instagram post announcing her acceptance, thanking her for her efforts. “an adopted young black child from Fontana, California. I’ve put in a lot of effort to fulfil my dreams and attain my goals. Mama, I succeeded. Without you, I couldn’t have done it “in the post, she stated.
Just 60 miles from the world’s “SHARK CAPITAL,” a Florida teen was hospitalised following a probable shark attack.
Alena loves Lego a lot and frequently posts pictures of her creations on Instagram. She enjoys singing, cooking, playing soccer, hanging out with friends at arcades, and watching movies. Despite her growing list of degrees, Alena insists that her success is a result of her ability to focus. “I just am highly disciplined and have excellent time management abilities.”