Defying her bullies, an 11-year-old girl with an IQ surpassing Albert Einstein is on her way to earning a Master’s degree in engineering and aspires to become an astronaut.
Adhara Pérez Sánchez, who hails from Tláhau, Mexico City, faced bullying due to her autism. Remarkably, she completed elementary school by the age of five and graduated from both middle and high school just a year later.
Currently collaborating with the Mexican Space Agency, Adhara is actively promoting space exploration and mathematics among young girls as she pursues her dream of working for NASA.
Diagnosed with autism at three years old, Adhara initially faced challenges and withdrew after being subjected to bullying by her peers. The lack of empathy from her teachers exacerbated her situation.
(Instagram/@adhara_perez11)
However, when Adhara’s mother noticed her daughter’s exceptional knowledge of the periodic table and aptitude for algebra, she sought therapy to address her depression. The therapist recognized Adhara’s genius and recommended the Center for Attention to Talent (CEDAT), a school for gifted children.
With an impressive IQ of 160, higher than both Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, Adhara obtained a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering from CNCI University. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s program in mathematics at the Technological University of Mexico.
(Instagram/@adhara_perez11)
Adhara expressed her interest in space exploration, inspired by being named after a star in the Canis Major constellation. She aims to study astrophysics at the University of Arizona, where she was previously offered a scholarship that was deferred due to visa issues.
Her ultimate goal is to finish her G-tests by the age of 17, enabling her to participate in manned flights through an agency supporting young scientists, and become the first autistic person to fly. Adhara’s determination to reach for the stars reflects her motto: “If you don’t like where you are, imagine where you want to be. I see myself at NASA, so it’s worth a try.”