13-Year-Old Alena Wicker Becomes The Youngest Black Person To Be Accepted Into Medical School

After completing two and a half years of college at Arizona State University and Oakwood University, the 13-year-old is on her way to attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine — aiming to become a doctor by 18.

“I really want to leave my mark on the world. And lead a group of girls that know what they can do,” Wicker said, according to the outlet.

Initially, Wicker had the vision of working for NASA in the near future, following her acceptance into ASU’s engineering program at age 12. As previously reported by AfroTech, at the time, the Texas native always dreamed of being an engineer and double majored in astronomical and planetary science and chemistry.

Shortly after, she found that her true passion was in biology.

“It actually took one class in engineering, for me to say this is kind of not where I wanted to go,” she said. “I think viral immunology really came from my passion for volunteering and going out there engaging with the world.”

It isn’t quite time for Wicker to put her white coat on just yet, but in the meantime, the teen is already gearing up to be a part of changing the healthcare system and helping to save lives. Her inspiration came from a trip to Jordan and the Brown STEM Girl Foundation, per the outlet.

“What I want from healthcare, is to really show these underrepresented communities that we can help that we can find cures for these viruses,” she said, according to 12 News.

Just as Wicker is chasing her dreams, a part of her mission is to help other young Black girls join her in STEM.

Huge congratulations, Alena!