Clutch – Cortlan Wickliff, 22, is graduating from Harvard Law School on May 3. When he crosses the stage and receives his Juris Doctorate, Wickliff will be the youngest African-American to ever join the elusive law school alumni club.

This isn’t the first time the Texas native entered the academic history books. Wickliff was the youngest African-American engineer in the United States when he finished a Bachelor’s of Science in Bioengineering at 19.

The Rice University alum’s research includes developing a heart-and-respiration-rate monitor for babies as well transforming pacemakers to monitor vital signs. Wickliff’s interest in medicine and engineering developed after his father died of a heart attack. He has devoted his energy to creating cost-effective medical advancements that can save lives.

Wickliff, who’s a member of the Root’s Young Futurists list, will pursue a Ph.D. in engineering at Texas A&M University.

His motivation is simple. “I really just want to make people healthier,” Wickliff told the Root. “If I can be someone who provides what doctors need to change people’s lives, I’ll be happy.”

Source: http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2013/05/youngest-african-american-set-to-graduate-harvard-law-school/