21-year-old genius adds MD on top of his Ph. D.

By Kim Eun-ji

A 21-year-old Korean descendant has become the youngest medical doctor in the University of Chicago’s history after he earned his medical degree on June 8.

This should be no surprise for Sho Yano, who has been “earlier” than others of his age for most parts of his life. Yano mastered reading and writing at three and begun composing music when he was five. He has Korean mother and Japanese father.

He entered Loyola University in Chicago at nine, enrolled in Pritzker School of Medicine in the University of Chicago when he was 12. He received a Ph. D. in molecular genetics and cell biology in 2009 at 18.

Many people limit others by comparing their physical and mental maturity, said Yano’s sister Sayuri, 15, who is working on her second bachelor’s degree in violin performance after her first one in biology.

In this sense, their mother has been very supportive.

“Should I let them stay home and do nothing, since they are young, even though they are ready?” asked the mother Kyung Yano, who homeschooled Sho up to 12th grade.

Sho, who is “living his dreams,” is also an accomplished pianist and has a black belt in taekwondo. He plans on spending next five years doing residency in pediatric neurobiology.

“I’d love to make a great contribution,” Sho told the Chicago Tribune. “We’ll just have to see where life takes me, but really, I haven’t done anything yet.”