The fact that 19-year old Alia Sabur became the youngest University professor ever and broke a 300-year old record probably came as no surprise to anyone who knows her! This amazing young woman has been setting records since she was an infant.
Alia first made history when she started talking at eight months and reading at the age of two. She skipped all the grades after 4th grade and went straight to college. By the age of 14 she had received a degree in Applied Sciences from the Stony Brook University, New York, graduating at the top of her class. She then went on to earn a Masters and PhD Degree in Material Sciences and Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
After graduating, Alia decided she wanted to help the people of New Orleans, who had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and accepted a teaching position at Southern University.
In February, just three days before her 19th birthday she was appointed professor at the Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea, making her the youngest professor ever. This is Alia's first entry into the Guinness Book of Records and she is thrilled! The previous record was held by Colin Maclaurin who became a professor in 1717, at the age of nineteen.
She starts her new job next month. At Konkuk University, Alia will primarily focus on Cancer research. In the future she also wants to find a non-invasive way to measure blood sugar for people with diabetes.
Besides being an academic genius, Alia is also a gifted musician. She plays the clarinet and has been performing with orchestras since she was 11 years old. A student of the world-famous Julliard Music School, Alia has won also won several awards. Simply Amazing!
