WATCH: 15-year-old Fil-Am prodigy making her mark in cancer research

Alessandra Storm Mauricio/Screencap from Breakthrough/YouTube

Breakthroughs and communication in science are evolving, with young talents stepping forward to shape the future. One such prodigy is Filipino American Alessandra Storm Mauricio, who is creating buzz with her contributions to cancer treatment research. 

At just 15, she’s already making a mark on the global science stage, representing both her Filipino heritage and her school with pride.

Mauricio, known as Lexi or Storm, has recently earned a spot in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, thanks to her science video on Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC). 

In her video, she introduces ADC as a “new hero” in the fight against cancer, explaining its three critical components: the antibody, the linker and the payload. 

Using clear and engaging metaphors, she likened the ADC process to a missile, with the antibody acting as a precision guide to cancer cells, the payload as the lethal weapon and the linker as a stabilizing “tool belt of amino acids” ensuring the payload is delivered exactly where it’s needed.

As Lexi explains, ADCs target specific cancer cell antigens and before using them, tests are crucial to confirm they hit the right targets and amount. She concluded her video by emphasizing the ongoing progress in this field, with over 500 clinical trials focused on developing new ADCs.

If she secures one of the seven Popular Vote spots, which runs until Sept. 20, she will advance to the final round and stand a chance to win a science laboratory for her school.

But Lexi’s accomplishments don’t stop there. In 2020, she was named the youngest presenter at the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists’ (AAGL) 49th Annual Global Congress, held virtually. At just 12 years old, this Fil-Am prodigy delivered a well-researched presentation on “Do Children Who Play Video Games Perform Better in Surgery?”

With an impressive 4.86 GPA and a track record of groundbreaking achievements, Lexi  is proving that the next generation of scientists is ready to lead, innovate and make the world a better place, even at a young age.