Brilliant 15-y-o pursuing first university degree - Aims to become a neurosurgeon

Having achieved 12 subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, starting with the first one in grade eight, Manchester teen Shemarie Irons now has her sights firmly set on another mountainous academic challenge.

"I am now pursuing a bachelor's of science degree in computer science at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), but ultimately I want to complete my PhD in medicine, specialising in neurosurgery by [age] 22," the beaming 15-year-old told THE STAR on Tuesday.

"I would like to achieve as much as I can in as short a time as possible. One of my aims is to be a role model to other young persons, to motivate them and help them realise that with hard work and determination success can be achieved regardless of age or any other constraints," she said.

In 2019, the then 12-year-old Shemarie successfully passed her first CSEC subject, when she got a distinction in electronic document preparation and management. She achieved a similar passing grade in human and social biology a year later in grade nine, before scoring two other distinctions in principles of business and principles of accounts in grade 10. Her secondary level successes were rounded off in her final year when she achieved another six distinctions, a grade one and a two in the eight subjects she attempted.

The deCarteret College alumna said that she was from a family who valued education and as such, she is very much inclined to follow in their footsteps.

"My father [Mark Irons] and mother [Sherna Irons], both went to universities in the mid-90's to study computer science and business administration/accounting, respectively. My sister [Marshe Irons] is currently on her second year of accounting at UTech Ja. They have been a serious motivation for me from very early, and one of my goals involves making them proud," she said.

Far from being just a 'bookworm', Irons competed in track and field and football at her prep school, El Instituto de Mandevilla, and in her early years at deCarteret. However due to COVID-19, she no longer participates in those activities. A typical teen, she still socialises with peer, plays games, watches movies and browses social media.

Irons, who lives in Woodlawn, Mandeville, Manchester, said she is now focused on becoming a world-renowned neurosurgeon so that she can play her part in the development of her country.

"The brain is the most powerful organ to have and I am always fascinated with it. I will be able to help people and more importantly saves lives as a neurosurgeon. My vision is to see a country where people can get the requisite medical attention that they need. I would also like to see a technological breakthrough which would assist in crime-fighting, medical advancements and overall improvement of the lives of Jamaican citizens," she said.