A 16-year-old American teenager, Mike Wimmer, has made history by becoming the youngest person to earn a Ph.D. in the United States. Wimmer, who began breaking academic records at an early age, received his doctorate from Carolina University, where he also delivered a speech and unveiled his latest invention.
By the age of 12, Wimmer had already graduated from high school and earned an associate degree. Just two years later, he completed his bachelor’s degree. Now at 16, he not only holds a Ph.D. but also two master’s degrees, making him one of the most accomplished teenagers in the world.
Speaking to FOX Local, Wimmer expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m super excited to have gotten to this point.” His Ph.D. research focused on innovation — a subject that aligns perfectly with his passion and life’s work.
A member of MENSA, Wimmer has been running businesses since he was 12. His doctoral dissertation included the development of a new invention to help combat the growing lionfish population in the Atlantic Ocean. Lionfish are an invasive species that threaten marine life, and Wimmer’s invention, the *Reef Sweeper*, is designed to tackle the problem head-on.
The Reef Sweeper is a remotely operated underwater vehicle that uses artificial intelligence to identify, capture, and remove lionfish from the ocean. Once full, the device surfaces, unloads its contents, and returns underwater to continue its work. The AI system behind the machine is called ALFREDD — also developed by Wimmer.
“I wanted to do my research on something that could have a real impact on the world,” Wimmer said. “What better way than to build something that helps the environment?”
Wimmer is working with Atlantic Lionshare Ltd. to deploy his Reef Sweeper on a larger scale. The goal is to use the innovation to reduce lionfish numbers significantly and help restore ocean ecosystems.
Beyond his academic work, Wimmer runs three companies: Next Era Innovations, Insta Grade AI, and Reflect Social — all of which focus on technology and problem-solving through artificial intelligence.
During his university’s graduation ceremony, Wimmer was not only honored as the youngest doctoral graduate but also introduced the Reef Sweeper to an impressed audience. University officials praised his accomplishments and vision.
Despite his many achievements, Wimmer says he’s ready to take a break. “I’m still 16, so I’m going to have time by the pool, do normal 16-year-old stuff,” he said, adding that he plans to enjoy his summer with his driver’s license, a Corvette, and possibly a Disney Cruise.
Mike Wimmer’s story continues to inspire young people around the world, showing that with focus, curiosity, and hard work, anything is possible — even at just 16.
