By Rachel Lee
American child prodigy Sho Timothy Yano has published a book in Korea to share his experience and study skills.
The 21-year-old became the youngest person to earn an M.D. and a Ph.D. in biology when he graduated from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago last month. He currently works as a first-year resident in the pediatric neurology department at the university’s teaching hospital.
He emphasizes the importance of having a purpose for studying in his book “Working Hard For Your Dream Will Never Betray You.”
“I wanted to say something different in my autobiography,” said Yano during an interview with The Korea Times on Monday. “People study hard only to please their parents but they really need to think about why they are doing these things.”
Born in 1990 in Portland, Oregon, to a Korean mother and a Japanese father, Yano entered Loyola University in Chicago at age 9 with a full scholarship, attracting worldwide media attention. He then enrolled in the University of Chicago’s Medical Scientist Training Program in 2002 and earned his Ph.D. in molecular genetics and cell biology in 2009. Yano said he decided to become a doctor as he wants to help people and be around them. However, he also had to overcome difficulties including age and racial discrimination.
“When I and my parents went for an interview at a university, one of the professors there said to me that I was too young to cope with things at school and my Korean accent was a problem for communication. It hurt me and my family because I never had that accent,” he said.
“But once I entered university, I had a great social life as there were many students willing to be friends with me.”
In his free time, he likes to play piano and do gardening to relieve stress.
“It’s important to keep the balance between work and play,” he said. “But most importantly, whatever you are doing, don’t forget to have fun.”