A Young Scientist’s Quest to Make STEM Shine for Everyone

He grew up in a small town near a pond, spending hours catching frogs and watching snakes glide across the water. Weekly fact cards from his mother—packed with fun animal details—fuelled a curiosity that led him to keep a binder full of scientific names and behaviors, memorizing everything he could find.

College: A Fork in the Road

During college, people told him there were no Black wildlife biologists and urged him to change his path. He earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Washington, yet he never let go of his dream: to inspire kids from under‑represented groups to pursue science.

Turning Passion into Playful Outreach

In 2016, he launched an online video channel that blended science with a playful style. The audience quickly nicknamed him the “Hip Hop MD,” even though he isn’t a medical doctor. Today, he is an award‑winning science communicator who shares lessons through music, memes, and experiments on social media.

“Zombie Spiders and Asteroid Blasters”

He authored a children’s book that follows an animated narrator meeting 16 scientists doing unusual research. Each scientist shares why they love their work, the challenges they've faced, and how they keep exploring—highlighting people of color and women. The book’s goal is to show that STEM can be exciting, diverse, and full of surprises while offering mentorship through real stories of overcoming obstacles.

Upcoming Event

He plans to visit the Central Library in San Diego on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. There, he will discuss his book, demonstrate experiments, answer questions, and sign copies for fans of all ages.