PASADENA, Texas - A Pasadena high school student has both Yale and Harvard knocking on her door, thanks to her published work in neuroscience.
Elexis Hernandez is a tough one to keep up with, but that should be expected from someone who studies neuroscience for fun. Thankfully, it's her passion for learning the most challenging subjects that is helping to open prestigious doors.
There's a certain confidence you'll notice when you see Elexis walking through the halls. Knowing you're college bound will do that to you. Take a second to ask her about college and you'll realize just how humbled she is about the experience.
"My first goal coming into high school was to get a full-ride somewhere," said Hernandez.
Elexis doesn't come from a privileged background, so to set herself apart, she chose to study all things brain.
"If it was easy, everyone would do it," said Hernandez.
The senior from Career and Technical High School took what she learned and developed a research study that was later published in the Pioneer Research Journal.
Scientists already know that if you take away your ability to see, the part of your brain that translates images, begins to shut down.
What Elexis hypothesized is by using a special sensory device, that part of the brain can be reprogrammed to help other senses.
"Like braille, it substitutes vision for tactile information," said Hernandez.
Based on age, Hernandez believes how fast your brain adjusts to the new way of thinking, could differ. That level of sophistication did not go unrecognized and the girl who simply wanted one scholarship, has been offered some of the most prestigious of them all.
"It feels weird saying it because I get to choose between two of the best schools in the nation," said Hernandez.
Big decisions are on the horizon, but Elexis is just happy to know her research will continue.